When you think of a MINI, you probably picture something compact, zippy, and just the right side of cheeky. So it might come as a surprise that it’s the biggest car in the MINI range that’s really captured British hearts. The Mini Countryman is no longer just the practical option in the lineup — it’s become the brand’s best-selling model, both in the UK and globally.
The Countryman has never been afraid to put on a few inches. Since its debut in 2010 as the R60 — MINI’s first four-door, five-seat model — it’s grown with every generation. The second-generation F60 (2017–2023) stretched to 4,298mm in length, while the current third-generation U25 (2024 onwards) pushes that to 4,447mm — a full 350mm longer than the original R60. That’s a meaningful amount of extra room, and UK families have clearly noticed.
The latest U25 Countryman is built at BMW’s own Leipzig plant — a notable shift from its predecessor, whose production was outsourced to VDL Nedcar in Born, Netherlands. That in-house manufacturing move has brought tighter quality control and a broader range of powertrains than ever before.
Buyers can choose from a surprisingly varied lineup. The entry-level Countryman C uses a 1.5-litre three-cylinder mild hybrid petrol (engine code: B38A15O0) producing 170hp, while the Countryman S ALL4 steps up to a 2.0-litre four-cylinder (B48A20O2) with 218hp and all-wheel drive via a 7-speed DCT gearbox. At the top of the performance tree sits the Countryman JCW ALL4, also using the 2.0-litre unit but tuned to a punchy 300hp, capable of 0–60mph in just 5.4 seconds.
Where things get really interesting is in the electric variants. The fully electric Countryman E — front-wheel drive, 204hp, with a WLTP range of up to 287 miles — and the dual-motor Countryman SE ALL4 — 313hp, 364 lb-ft of torque, and all-wheel drive — have proved a genuine hit. In 2025, electric Countryman deliveries surged by an extraordinary 81.8% compared to 2024 levels. In the UK specifically, MINI registered 13,580 Countrymans in 2025, with EVs accounting for 31.7% of the brand’s total UK sales — up from 22% the year before.
It’s not hard to see why the Countryman appeals so strongly to British buyers. It ticks a genuinely tricky set of boxes: it has the iconic MINI style and cheeky personality, enough practicality to handle the school run or a weekend away, and a powertrain for every type of driver — from mild-hybrid petrol to fully electric. As MINI noted at the original UK launch back in 2010, they expected 80% of Countryman buyers to be completely new to the brand — and that pull toward fresh audiences has never really stopped.
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There’s something distinctly charming about sliding into the driver’s seat of a Mini Countryman. It’s that perfect blend of British quirkiness and German engineering that makes you feel like you’re about to embark on an adventure, even if it’s just the school run. But let’s be honest—if you’re spending any Read more
There is a specific kind of dread that settles in when you turn the key—or push the start button—and your first-generation Mini Countryman (R60) responds with a single, lethargic click. Or worse, absolute silence. If you own one of these funky, boxy SUVs produced between 2010 and 2016, you know Read more
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