It's a big Mini you can plug in. But there's still plenty of room for fun
Previous Next 1 of 34
2018-Mini-Countryman-E-S-Plug-In-Hybrid-review
2018-Mini-Countryman-E-SPlug-In-Hybrid-review
MSRP $36,900.00
BUY NOW
$36,900.00
Mini
Shockingly big on size but short on range, the Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 doesn’t want to stray from the city.
HIGHS
Drive on gas, electric, or both
Fun to whip up around mountain roads
Instant torque
Space efficient and comfortable
LOWS
Limited driving range
High price premium
DT EDITORS' RATING
7.0
Scores Explained
It has been eons since Minis actually lived up to their namesake, and that’s one of the first things you notice about the Mini Countryman: It is anything but Mini.
A much, larger “crossover” version of the standard Cooper with two extra doors, the Countryman is the biggest and most practical Mini to ever sport the famed badge. Add a plug-in hybrid powertrain and you get this model: the Cooper S E Countryman ALL4.
Although seemingly a paradox on four wheels, the larger Countryman doesn’t stray far from the company’s tradition. During the ‘60s heyday of the iconic and truly small Morris Mini-Minor, the company also expanded its lineup with larger versions. And right now, Mini parent BMW Group is on a tear to add electric versions of just about everything.
In base form, the Cooper Countryman competes with the Audi Q3, and the Mercedes-Benz GLA. But because of its hybrid status, the Countryman S E ALL4 actually remains as the only car in its class with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Is it worth the buzz, starting at $36,900?
INTERIOR AND TECH
Despite their small footprints, Minis were always incredibly space efficient, being able to fit more inside than what meets the eye on the outside. Though much larger, the Countryman S E ALL4 retains that efficiency. Thanks to its upright and boxy profile, the Countryman is very easy to get in and out of, both in the front and rear, for full-size adults. Once settled inside, the high roofline yields a very spacious and airy cabin, with plenty of space for five. Its gas competitors, the Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA, all feel terribly cramped in comparison.
Because the Countryman is also a BMW plug-in hybrid underneath, technology is a big focus on the inside. The infotainment system lives front and center, inside a circular ring inspired by Mini’s iconic dashboards of yore. The speedometer and other gauges that used to live here have been moved behind the steering wheel.
he screen runs Mini Connected, an onboard app suite that displays overall vehicle functions and the operation of the hybrid system. It also collects data based on your driving habits and reports it back to you, and all in the hopes that it can encourage you to become a more fuel-efficient driver. This is a hybrid after all, and that’s one of the Countryman SE ALL4’s missions.
Where to buy: 2018 Mini Countryman S E ALL4
BUY NOW $36,900.00
Mini
/www.digitaltrends.com/car-reviews/2018-mini-countryman-s-e-all4-review/#/5