Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

MINI Countryman hybrid review

The MINI Countryman plug-in hybrid is not only pretty cheap to run – particularly for business drivers – it’s desirable and good to drive, too

MINI Countryman Hybrid
Overall rating

3.5 out of 5

Fuel Type:
Hybrid Petrol

Pros

  • Fun to drive
  • Useful electric range
  • 11% company-car tax

Cons

  • Expensive options
  • Firmer ride than some rivals
  • Infotainment showing its age

Car type

Electric range

Fuel economy

CO2 emissions

Plug-in hybrid

29-32 miles

149-166mpg

40-44g/km

The plug-in hybrid MINI Countryman – previously known as the Countryman Cooper S E ALL4 – was one of the first plug-in family SUVs. And thanks to a refresh in the last couple of years, it's still a competitive option for those looking for a family car with low tax costs and the potential for running on electric power alone. A recent update changed the styling a bit, added some more standard kit, improved efficiency and upgraded the in-car tech.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Countryman has a long list of rivals at this point, such as the plug-in hybrid versions of the Cupra Formentor, Ford Kuga, Kia Niro and Renault Captur. Not to mention plenty of premium offerings like the BMW X1 (which it’s closely related to) as well as the Mercedes GLA and Audi Q3. The Toyota C-HR is another interesting option, as despite not being a plug-in, it does have an electric motor and could be great for those who can't plug in easily.

The performance on offer here means that MINI has added the Cooper S name, and four-wheel drive means it gets the ALL4 branding too. It's pretty quick off the mark: 0-62mph takes just 6.8 seconds, thanks to the combined efforts of its 1.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor. The power figure dropped from 224 to 217bhp as part of the 2020 update, most likely for emissions regulations reasons.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The four-wheel drive system works by using the engine to drive the front wheels and the electric motor to drive the rear ones. It's hardly an off-roader but the extra traction in poor conditions could be useful. CO2 emissions are as low as 40g/km depending on specification, making the MINI attractive to company-car users thanks to a 14% Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax rate.

Thanks to some improvements to the Countryman PHEV’s powertrain over the pre-facelift version, the plug-in SUV can now return up to 166mpg, versus the old car’s claimed 157mpg. In reality, you'll need to keep the battery charged and be careful with your right foot to get anywhere close to the headline figure. But, fully recharging the relatively small 8.8kWh battery from a 3.7kW home wallbox only takes around two-and-a-half hours. Do so, and you’ll be able to cover 30 miles on electric power alone.

The Countryman is a practical car for families, even if there have been some sacrifices compared to its petrol and diesel-powered siblings to get the battery pack and electric motor to fit. The rear seats are set slightly higher and no longer slide, while the boot shrinks by 10 per cent to 405 litres – roughly on a par with a normal family hatchback like the Volkswagen Golf or Ford Focus.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

But there’s still decent room in the back and the bench splits 40:20:40 to expand what space there is. Last, but not least, there are chunky roof rails for carrying roof boxes and cycle carriers.

Of course, as with any MINI, the Countryman offers all manner of opportunities for personalisation. Scan the brochure or price list and you’re bound to see packs and options that are sure to tempt you. You just have to be careful not to go too crazy, as pushing the list price beyond £40,000 will make the car liable for increased road tax, boosting your annual running costs by a few hundred pounds. Still, with prices for the Classic trim level starting far lower than that, most buyers should be able to keep it within that threshold. The top-spec Untamed edition (new for 2022) is around £41,000 before any options, at which point it’s starting to tread on the toes of some very good fully electric SUVs.

Overall, the Countryman is more desirable and fun to drive than just about any obvious rivals, but it's hampered by a patchy standard equipment list and expensive options. For a more detailed look at the MINI Cooper S E ALL4, read on for the rest of our in-depth review...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Electric car repairs, servicing and maintenance: a complete guide
Electric car repairs
Your questions answered

Electric car repairs, servicing and maintenance: a complete guide

How, where and when should you get your electric car serviced? And does the process differ in any way from combustion vehicles? Find out here…
14 Nov 2024
Top 10 best hybrid family cars 2024
Best hybrid family cars
Best cars

Top 10 best hybrid family cars 2024

If you’re not ready to go fully electric yet, you should consider one of these: the best hybrid family cars to buy in the UK right now
22 Nov 2024
Jaguar Type 00 finally revealed – dramatic concept maps out British brand’s luxury electric future
Jaguar Type 00 - front 3/4 static
News

Jaguar Type 00 finally revealed – dramatic concept maps out British brand’s luxury electric future

Jaguar has revealed the concept car on which its 'reimagining' as a super luxury electric carmaker is based
3 Dec 2024

More on Countryman

Top 10 best 4x4 electric cars 2024
Best electric 4X4
Best cars

Top 10 best 4x4 electric cars 2024

Whether you’re looking to venture off road, or just want some extra assurance in the winter months, we list the best four-wheel-drive electric cars on…
8 Oct 2024
MINI Countryman review: ‘maxi’ on fun, ‘mini’ on range
MINI Countryman - header
In-depth reviews

MINI Countryman review: ‘maxi’ on fun, ‘mini’ on range

The first electric MINI Countryman is good to drive and has a superb tech offering, though some rivals offer more range
5 Mar 2024
New MINI Countryman Electric boasts a circular screen and a 287-mile range
MINI Countryman Electric - header
News

New MINI Countryman Electric boasts a circular screen and a 287-mile range

MINI has unveiled the latest version of its Countryman SUV, which has grown in size and is now available as an EV
1 Sep 2023
Top 15 best used plug-in hybrid cars 2022
Outlander PHEV
Best cars

Top 15 best used plug-in hybrid cars 2022

Plug-in hybrid cars have the potential to bring big savings on running costs, and buying used can make them even cheaper. Here are the best used PHEVs…
30 Nov 2022
2020 MINI Countryman plug-in hybrid: prices, specification and on-sale date
MINI Countryman hybrid
News

2020 MINI Countryman plug-in hybrid: prices, specification and on-sale date

Refreshed MINI Countryman arrives with new look and improved plug-in hybrid efficiency
27 May 2020