The 2026 Mini Countryman SE ALL4 is the kind of car that makes you question your own judgment. It’s expensive, has a small battery, and isn’t particularly practical. But it’s also genuinely fun to drive, and its interior is one of the most playful cabins on the market. That tension — between rational sense and emotional appeal — has defined Mini for decades, and the electric Countryman carries that tradition forward.
The Countryman first appeared 16 years ago as Mini’s first five-door crossover. Purists saw it as proof the brand had lost its way. Many predicted it would flop.
It didn’t.
Three generations later, the Countryman is still here, now offered with either a combustion engine or a fully electric powertrain.
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I tested the flagship all-electric SE ALL4 in Australia.
The SE ALL4 uses a 64.6 kWh battery and dual electric motors, producing 230 kW (308 hp) and 494 Nm (365 lb-ft) of torque. In testing, I hit 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds using a Dragy GPS timer.
The cabin is where Mini still stands apart
Most new car interiors feel interchangeable. The Countryman doesn’t. Mini has kept a sense of theater and tactility that most manufacturers have abandoned. The centerpiece is a circular OLED infotainment display, a modern take on the classic Mini dashboard layout. The screen is crisp, and the software responds quickly. Toggle through the ‘Experience Modes’ and the display changes colors and plays unique graphics. Climate controls live on the screen but include shortcut buttons for temperature, heated seats, and the heated steering wheel. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, though they only fill a box in the center of the screen.
Below the screen, tactile toggles control functions including the ignition — they mimic the feel of turning a key. The steering wheel has a taut piece of fabric as its bottom spoke. Vertical door handles and multi-colored blue and orange fabric on the door cards add to the playful feel. The Favored trim includes a panoramic glass roof, a massaging driver’s seat, a 12-speaker Harmon Kardon system, and ambient lighting that uses tiny projectors in the door panels to display patterns.
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Comfort is good up front, though the seats are firm. Second-row head and legroom are tight for anyone over 6 feet tall. Cargo space is 460 liters (16.2 cubic feet).
It drives better than its specs suggest
The SE ALL4 doesn’t wear a John Cooper Works badge, but it’s quicker than some older JCW models. The power delivery is smooth and effortless — it doesn’t feel as fast as it is, which means passengers won’t get sick when the driver floors it. The suspension is firm, and on rough roads the Countryman bounces around a bit. But the Pirelli P Zero tires provide strong grip, and the car is genuinely enjoyable on a winding road.
‘Go Kart Mode’ sharpens throttle response, adds steering weight, and triggers a spaceship-inspired soundscape. It also displays live power and torque outputs on the screen.
Regenerative braking is configurable, but the settings are buried in the infotainment menu. A simpler option is to switch to B mode using the gear selector, which engages one-pedal driving. I used that mode for most of the week and averaged 17.2 kWh/100 km. That’s respectable given the power and the car’s aerodynamics — or lack thereof.
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The battery is the weak link
The pack is smaller than what most competitors offer. Real-world range will struggle to hit 400 km (248 miles). If you can charge at home, that’s manageable. If you can’t, you’ll be visiting a public charger at least weekly. DC fast charging tops out at 130 kW, meaning a 10-80 percent charge takes 29 minutes. That’s slow for this price point.
Safety features include autonomous emergency braking, active cruise control with lane-centering, and a self-parking function that works surprisingly well, especially for parallel parking.
The Countryman SE ALL4 is not the SUV you buy if you’re after pure practicality. It’s a niche product, like Mini models have always been. The cabin is the highlight — it blends modern tech with the kind of tactile details that most new cars have lost. If you buy one, you’ll be doing it with your heart, not your head. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s worth knowing before you sign the papers.