Mini Cooper Countryman

The 2025 Mini Cooper Countryman is expected to offer a range of refined petrol powertrains in India, along with a strong focus on electric variants globally. India-specific engine options will be confirmed closer to launch, but are likely to include:

Petrol Variants (e.g., Countryman C, Countryman S ALL4): These will likely feature turbocharged three-cylinder (1.5-litre) and four-cylinder (2.0-litre) petrol engines. The 2.0-litre unit in the Countryman S ALL4 is expected to produce around 204 PS of power and 300 Nm of torque, paired with an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. These engines will offer a balance of spirited performance and efficiency.

Electric Variants (e.g., Countryman E, Countryman SE ALL4): While global models will feature fully electric powertrains with ranges up to 450 km (WLTP), the availability and specifications for India will be confirmed closer to launch. The Countryman SE ALL4, for instance, offers around 313 PS and 494 Nm of torque, with dual motors providing all-wheel drive.

In real-life driving, the Countryman is expected to retain Mini's characteristic agile and fun-to-drive nature, despite its increased size. The petrol engines will offer brisk acceleration for urban and highway driving. Fuel economy will be competitive for its segment, with the electric variants offering zero-emission commuting. The focus is on providing a dynamic yet comfortable driving experience.

Ride and Handling

The 2025 Mini Cooper Countryman is expected to offer a refined ride and handling balance, aiming to retain Mini's signature "go-kart" feel while improving comfort due to its larger dimensions and new platform. It will feature a sophisticated suspension setup designed to absorb road imperfections effectively, providing a composed ride. While Mini's are known for a firmer ride, the new Countryman is likely to offer a more compliant experience for daily driving.

Handling is expected to be agile and engaging for an SUV of its size. The steering is precise and offers good feedback, making it enjoyable on winding roads and easy to manoeuvre in urban environments. The availability of all-wheel drive (ALL4) will ensure enhanced grip and stability in various conditions. Panic or emergency braking performance will be strong, with disc brakes on all four wheels providing confident stopping power. High-speed stability will be improved due to its larger footprint. The various driving modes will allow the driver to tailor the vehicle's characteristics to their preference, from a comfortable cruiser to a more dynamic performer.

The interior of the 2025 Mini Cooper Countryman undergoes a significant transformation, offering a more spacious, minimalist, and technologically advanced cabin. The design is clean and uncluttered, with a focus on sustainable materials. The dashboard is dominated by a large, circular OLED touchscreen display, a signature Mini element, which serves as the central hub for infotainment and many vehicle functions.

The cabin offers comfortable seating for five occupants, with improved legroom and headroom compared to the previous generation, making it genuinely practical for families. Front seats are supportive, with various upholstery options, including recycled materials. Cargo space is substantially increased, with a boot capacity of approximately 460 litres, expandable to 1,450 litres with the rear seats folded. Fit and finish are expected to be premium, with attention to detail. Features like dual-zone automatic climate control, ambient lighting, and a panoramic glass roof enhance the cabin experience. The overall ambiance is modern, quirky, and distinctly Mini.

Infotainment

The 2025 Mini Cooper Countryman features a revolutionary infotainment system centered around a large, circular 9.4-inch OLED touchscreen display. This unique circular screen serves as both the instrument cluster and the primary infotainment interface, running Mini's latest Operating System 9, which is based on Android Open Source Project (AOSP). The system offers crisp graphics, intuitive touch controls, and a responsive user experience.

The infotainment system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring seamless smartphone integration. Integrated navigation is available, and the system supports advanced voice commands, activated by "Hey Mini." Mini's connected services provide access to various online features. A head-up display is optional, projecting key information onto the windshield. The system also supports over-the-air (OTA) updates, ensuring the software remains current with the latest features and improvements. The emphasis is on a highly digital, personalised, and engaging user experience, reflecting Mini's playful yet sophisticated character.

The exterior design of the 2025 Mini Cooper Countryman is a fresh interpretation of Mini's iconic styling, blending familiar cues with a more robust and modern SUV presence. It features a larger, more upright front fascia with redesigned LED headlights and a prominent octagonal grille, giving it a more commanding look. The bonnet is sculpted, and the overall lines are cleaner and more aerodynamic than the outgoing model.

From the side, the new Countryman is noticeably larger, with increased length and height contributing to a more substantial SUV stance. It retains Mini's signature contrasting roof and short overhangs, but with a more pronounced shoulder line and larger wheel arches accommodating alloy wheels typically ranging from 18 to 20 inches. Flush-fitting door handles contribute to a sleek profile. The rear features redesigned vertical LED taillights, which can be customised with different light signatures, and a more upright tailgate. Dimensions are significantly increased, with length growing to approximately 4,433 mm, width to 1,843 mm, and height to 1,656 mm. The wheelbase is also extended to 2,692 mm, promising more interior space. Colour options will include classic Mini shades along with new, vibrant choices.

Safety in the 2025 Mini Cooper Countryman is comprehensive, integrating a robust passive safety structure with an extensive suite of advanced active safety and driver-assistance systems. While specific crash test ratings for the new generation are pending, previous Countryman models have received high safety ratings from international bodies like Euro NCAP, indicating excellent occupant protection. The new platform and increased size are expected to further enhance safety.

Standard passive safety features will typically include multiple airbags (expected to be 6 or more), ABS with EBD, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), and Traction Control. A wide array of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) is expected to be available, with many standard on higher trims. These include Active Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Detection, Front Collision Warning with braking function, and a 360-degree camera system with parking assist. The new Countryman also introduces Level 2 semi-automated driving capabilities, including hands-free driving on suitable roads (market availability TBC). These systems work in concert to provide a high level of safety and driver support across various driving conditions.

The 2025 Mini Cooper Countryman competes in the premium compact SUV segment in India, facing formidable rivals primarily from German luxury manufacturers. Its key competitors include:

The BMW X1 (new generation) offers a strong blend of luxury, practicality, and dynamic performance, with a wide array of petrol and diesel engine options, and is built on a shared platform.

The Audi Q3 provides a sophisticated design, a well-built interior, and a comfortable ride, known for its balanced approach to luxury and practicality.

The Mercedes-Benz GLA offers a stylish design, a modern interior with the MBUX infotainment system, and a comfortable ride, appealing to buyers seeking a blend of luxury and urban chic.

The Mini Cooper Countryman differentiates itself with its iconic and quirky styling, the promise of Mini's unique "go-kart" driving dynamics (even in a larger SUV form), and a highly customisable interior with a distinctive circular OLED display. While rivals might offer a more conventional luxury experience, the Countryman appeals to those who desire a more individualistic and fun-to-drive premium SUV. Its blend of heritage, modern technology, and increased practicality makes it a compelling choice for discerning Indian buyers.

The 2025 Mini Cooper Countryman represents a significant step forward for Mini, successfully blending its iconic charm with enhanced practicality and cutting-edge technology. Its larger size addresses previous concerns about space, making it a more versatile and family-friendly premium compact SUV. The new interior, dominated by the innovative circular OLED display, offers a fresh and engaging user experience. With expected refined petrol and potential electric powertrains, it aims to retain Mini's fun-to-drive character while offering improved efficiency and comfort.

For the Indian buyer who seeks a stylish, quirky, and surprisingly spacious premium compact SUV that stands out from the crowd and delivers an engaging driving experience, the 2025 Mini Cooper Countryman is an excellent choice. While it operates at a premium price point, the value it offers in terms of distinctive design, modern technology, and improved practicality is significant. It is a highly recommended option for those who desire a luxury SUV with a unique personality.