A gentle push on the accelerator sees my speedometer climb quickly, thanks to the instant torque. I finish my curve on the 401 on-ramp and straighten out. A bit more right-foot pressure and a blink later, I’m at 100 km/h, ready to merge safely. The minimally designed cabin is quiet and the Mini wants to do more. This car needs a challenging road. I make a mental note to visit the Forks of the Credit’s twisty scenic route later.
The continuing introduction of electric vehicles sees a new entry in the form of the largest Mini ever, the all-new 2025 Countryman. Sharing showroom space with its gasoline Countryman counterpart, this subcompact EV shares similar looks and interior space.
It still feels like a Mini on the road, which will keep those looking for an exciting drive feel happy.
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Positioned primarily for urban life, the Countryman’s relatively small footprint makes it easy to manoeuvre around town. There’s still a “Mini” drive feel to with plenty of electric power and great handling, keeping the fun factor in place.
Mini has smartly incorporated four levels of regenerative braking: adaptive, low, moderate and high. (Regenerative braking technology captures kinetic energy and converts it back into electric energy to recharge the battery.)
This helps increase the appeal by giving the driver options depending on driving conditions. For example, some drivers may use “low” on the highway, “high” in heavy traffic and “adaptive” on city streets. The “high” setting slows down the Mini fairly quickly but without the uncomfortable jolt that some other EV’s have. It’s pronounced but not jarring. The adaptive setting uses the Countryman’s external sensors to determine how far or close you are to the car ahead of you and applies the regenerative braking power accordingly.
The fifth option is to flick the tiny gear selector from D (drive) to B (brake) and that adds in a one-pedal driving feel with an intense reduction in speed compared to the “high” setting.
The drive feel is similar to other electric vehicles; acceleration is snappy thanks to the instant torque, and, aside from the whoosh sound of the wheels spinning, it’s very quiet in the cabin. The low centre of gravity makes curves and turns a breeze, as the vehicle is hugging the pavement.
There’s passing power aplenty and getting into and out of tight parking spaces is fairly easy thanks to its small size.
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As I cruise along, the circular infotainment screen doubles as one of two speedometers; the other comes through the heads-up display. There’s a lot of information jammed into that 9.4-inch circular screen. The top portion in the middle always shows your speed. The fonts are small but it’s easy to memorize where to find your remaining range and other key items.
Comfortable seats and a softish suspension make this EV experience better, especially in some city spots where potholes and road imperfections seem to grow daily. Yes, Mini is famous for its stiffer suspensions and go-kart like handling but here, the Countryman has matured into a sensible daily-driver.
Charging speeds are respectable, with a Level Two charge taking around eight hours at 9.6 kW. This is likely what most will use through an at-home charger.
A Level Three charge will take you from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in just less than half an hour via a maximum charging speed of 130 kW. It’s not the fastest, but it’s practical. A smaller battery means less time to recharge and the range of up to 341 km is realistic for a few days of everyday driving in the city.
This can be a good second car, especially for those with an internal-combustion-engine car to do longer drives to cottages or on road trips. Sure, someone could have this as their only car, but, at this point in the evolution of EVs and their charging infrastructure, it’s better suited for use that keeps you relatively close to your home charger.
The all-electric version of the MINI Countryman is similar to the petrol version and that’s a smart move. This car blends modern technology with smooth, enjoyable electric driving, adding just enough flair to keep you interested and entertained.
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