2025 Mini Countryman S review: Not mini, but it’s max fun
Some of the smallest cars on the road are about to make big waves. Mini’s core lineup gets a complete revamp for the 2025 model year. This includes everything from the tiniest Mini Cooper to the redesigned Mini Countryman, the biggest of the bunch. Key highlights of the 2025 Mini Countryman’s redesign include a revamped interior, an upgraded engine, and a completely new infotainment system. Plus, an electric version of the Countryman joins the line-up for the first time.
We drove the gas-powered version of the new 2025 Mini Countryman S on a road trip to explore the best outdoor things to do in Niagara Falls. You’ll find a comprehensive review of our impressions below. Have questions about the 2025 Mini Countryman S? Ask the automotive experts in our Facebook community!
2025 Mini Countryman S review: Pros and cons
2025 Mini Countryman S pros:
- The most practical Mini
- Bonkers fun to drive
- Unique interior design
2025 Mini Countryman S cons:
- No manual transmission; paddle shifters not offered on Countryman S
- Glitchy infotainment system
- Not as mini as the name suggests
Size and exterior design
The changes to the 2025 Mini Countryman extend all the way to the name. Mini has dropped the Cooper moniker from the Countryman and now reserves it for its smallest vehicles.
The Countryman has always been the biggest Mini, and now it’s larger than ever. The 2025 Mini Countryman is 4,433 millimetres long and 1,657 millimetres tall, increases of 12.3 and 10 centimetres respectively. This gives it a larger footprint than competitors in the subcompact SUV class like the Hyundai Kona and Kia Seltos. However, it’s not as long as the Toyota Corolla Cross, or the BMW X1 with which it shares a platform.
This would be perfectly fine in any other small SUV. The new Countryman, though, is starting to stretch the limits of its Mini label.
Sizing aside, the 2025 Mini Countryman holds the brand’s ethos well with its signature rounded headlamps and flat roof, which we love in the optional Vibrant Silver trim shown on our test model. The chunky exterior elements and recessed door handles give it a rugged yet premium look we feel suits the Countryman name well.
Mini has addressed criticisms of the previous Union Jack inspired turn signals. Some critics mention they appeared to point in the opposite direction than the car was turning. Instead, the new Countryman uses a pixelated LED design for its taillights. This means it can take on a Union Jack look at times while appearing solid in situations such as signaling a turn.
Interior design
Many cars are too similar to one another on the inside. That’s why we love the unique and fun approach Mini has taken to the new Countryman. A textured fabric made of recycled materials wraps around the dashboard from the second row with an intricate gradient colour transition. The interesting vent design, projected ambient lighting in multiple colours, and details like the fabric strap on the bottom of the steering wheel and the pull on the centre console bin, come together to round out the look.
In Canada, the 2025 Mini Countryman S comes with a standard panoramic sunroof. A new 9.4-inch OLED circular infotainment screen acts as the dashboard’s centrepiece. Looks-wise, this screen is great. It remains true to past Mini designs yet unmistakably modern with its frameless design and full-screen graphics. (Unfortunately, it’s not all that easy to use; see the infotainment section below for more details.)
Seat comfort
The sport seats equipped in our test car are very comfortable and supportive. On the driver’s seat, the arm rests are level and let you rest your elbows on longer drives. The seats are lined with the optional Vescin material, a synthetic leather made from recycled materials that has a soft and pleasant texture.
Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel are standard on the 2025 Mini Countryman S in Canada.
Thanks to the expanded length and height in the 2025 Mini Countryman, the second row has plenty of leg room and head room. The seatbacks recline for added comfort, and air vents and a pair of USB-C ports are included. Heated rear seats are not offered in the 2025 Mini Countryman S.
How many car seats fit in the 2025 Mini Countryman S?
The 2025 Mini Countryman S will fit two car seats in the outboard positions in its second row or one car seat in the middle position. The exposed and framed ISOFIX connectors are very easy to access. You may need to adjust the seatback recline position to get a perfect fit.
How much cargo space is there in the 2025 Mini Countryman S?
The 2025 Mini Countryman S has 460 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seats upright. Adjusting the recline in the rear seats modifies this space availability slightly. With the second-row seats folded, the Countryman holds up to 1,450 litres of cargo.
These figures are below average among the Countryman’s competition. We were able to fit two carry-on suitcases and two backpacks, but luggage for a third person might have spilled into the back seat. The new Countryman is likely too snug to accommodate four people and luggage for a weekend.
While there’s no storage under the sliding centre armrest, there is a small covered bin ahead of an open storage tray in the centre console. The four cup holders in the front row are well-positioned and keep drinks out of the way.
Infotainment and technology features
While we love the look of the Countryman’s new frameless 9.4-inch circular infotainment screen, we don’t love how many vehicle controls are dependent on it. There’s no instrument cluster in the new 2025 Mini Countryman S. Instead, you’ll monitor your speed and gearing on the standard head-up display that projects onto a small plastic panel, or you’ll glance over at the top of the infotainment screen. Temperature and fan adjustments and heated seat controls are adjusted through the screen as well.
Typically, you’d be able to get around this by using voice controls. However, this function was not working during our time with the car. Similarly, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, but we didn’t have much luck with CarPlay. Initially, we could connect a phone to access maps and texting, but third-party apps like Spotify wouldn’t function. After a couple of days, the phone stopped connecting to the car at all.
The good news is, like most of today’s vehicles, the Mini Countryman S can receive over-the-air updates. This means it should be easy for Mini to push a fix once these connectivity issues are resolved.
How much power does the 2025 Mini Countryman S have?
The 2025 Mini Countryman S produces 241 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque from its 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. These figures mark improvements of 52 hp and 89 lb-ft over the previous-generation Countryman. A higher-powered John Cooper Works version is available but only provides a slight bump to 312 hp, while the torque figure is unchanged.
This feeds through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission to all-wheel drive (AWD), which is standard in Canada.
Is the 2025 Mini Countryman S fun to drive?
The 2025 Mini Countryman S is great fun to drive. Power output and delivery are excellent — so good, in fact, we think the higher-powered Mini JCW Countryman may have a harder time making a case for itself in the new generation. The one important distinction in the JCW is the available paddle shifters since Mini is removing this feature from its non-JCW vehicles.
The new Countryman also sports Mini’s characteristic go-kart-like handling and steering qualities. We love that Mini is leaning into this by renaming its sport mode to Go-kart Mode. The other two drive modes are Core (normal) and Green (eco), which can be selected via a switch on the centre console.
Through the same switch, you can select from four moods called Vivid, Timeless, Balance, and Trail, which adjust the lighting, panoramic sunroof, seat massage function, and other elements.
What is the fuel economy of the 2025 Mini Countryman S?
In Canada, the 2025 Mini Countryman S has an estimated fuel consumption of 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving, 7.3 on the highway, and 8.7 combined. We observed exactly 8.7 L/100 km combined during our testing, which is on par with AWD gas-powered competitors in the subcompact SUV class.
How much is the 2025 Mini Countryman S?
The 2025 Mini Countryman S has a Canadian starting price of $45,990, not including a $2,586 destination charge and other fees. With the $4,000 Premier+ package and the $2,000 Favoured Style package plus other options, our test car’s final price before taxes is $53,890. Prices are current as of this writing and are subject to change.
Is the 2025 Mini Countryman S worth buying?
The 2025 Mini Countryman S is priced appropriately as a premium subcompact SUV. It sports fun styling and a typical Mini driving character, yet it’s large and practical enough for the average Canadian family’s daily driving needs. It may not be especially mini, but in our view the 2025 Mini Countryman S is the most broadly appealing Mini yet.
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I own a new 2025 Countryman S All4. I traded in a 2020 Countryman S. The 2020 had paddles. I never once used them. Without a clutch, what’s the point? I love the totally new design; interior and exterior. The added power increase is great. The new model handles better, is larger which provides more driver and passenger comfort and the trunk is larger. I’m tired of the comments that state this model isn’t do Mini, etc. Mini is the brand not the size anymore. It’s mini when compared to a Suburban or other larger SUVs. Once when you thought of a VW it was the beetle. Now you can get VW SUVs larger than the Countryman. Porsche was always a 2 door sports car. Now you can get Porsche SUVs. Focus in the vehicle, not the brand name.
All great points, Larry. Great to see you’re enjoying your new Countryman!
Not sure whether it has ventilated seats in any trim. Could you point out how to check?
Hi there — the MINI.ca website doesn’t make it easy to look for individual features, so I reached out to my contact at MINI Canada. Unfortunately, ventilated seats are not available on the Countryman in any configuration. I hope this helps!