Exclusive: Next Generation 2025 MINI Countryman (U25) Launch Dates

The all new 2025 MINI Countryman is coming – sooner than you might think. Larger in every dimension and with loads more technology onboard, the new model will move MINI into direct competition with the ultra competitive small crossover segment. And until recently it was unclear exactly when we’d see this new, larger Countryman. However thanks to our sources we now have a clear understanding of the timing.

MINI will debut the 2024 MINI Countryman (labeled a 2025 in the US) in the second half of 2023 with an all-out model onslaught. Based on our sources, this is what we expect to see in terms of production timing:

The big surprise is that MINI USA will not launch the standard Countryman in the US but instead will rely on the Countryman S as the base model.

However not surprisingly MINI will be waiting to launch the electric Countryman (likely called the Countryman E and SE) with production beginning in March of 2024. The more powerful, dual motor SE will come to the US.

2025 MINI Countryman Engines And Transmissions

Given the investment going into electrifying the model range, MINI is playing it conservative when it comes to the ICE power plants. Because of that every petrol powered engine is a revision of an existing one. So things will look familiar but numbers will rise slightly. Based on what we know about the evolved three and four liter family of engines from BMW, we should see something close to the following:

• The 1.5 three cylinder which will be rated at from 137 hp to 170 hp
• 2.0 four cylinder with varying tunes; 200 hp and 240 hp depending on FWD or AWD.
• JCW branded 2.0 four cylinder with 330 hp and a mild hybrid system
• All petrol engines will get a 48 volt mild hybrid system and will be mated to a revised 7-speed dual clutch with an all new gear selector design. 
• The manual transmission will be eliminated in all models.

The All Electric 2025 MINI Countryman

Yes it’s coming and it’s powerful. The FAAR platform was designed from the ground up to accommodate a battery pack and electric motor as part of the brand’s plans to transition all products over the next decade. Again the BMW X1 (in this case the iX1) gives us a clue. Assuming MINI will be leveraging the same technical layout (which we’ve heard is the plan), we should expect the electric Countryman to have a peak output is 308 horsepower and 364 pound-feet of torque. Potentially branded as a JCW, the power comes from a modest 64.7-kWh t-shaped battery pack that produces 266 miles of range using the WLTP testing protocol. That would likely translate into something around 240 miles using the EPA testing. The iX1 supports DC fast-charging at up to 130 kW, which can charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in only 29 minutes. 

Will it comes to the US? BMWNA cancelled the electric BMW iX1 due to range vs price concerns. The Countryman will have a similar range but could make more sense given its price will be slightly lower and aimed at a different demographic.

The 2025 MINI Countryman – The Most Maxi MINI Yet

Based on these photos and our sources, the all new 2024 MINI Countryman will be about 203 mm (almost 8 inches) larger – specifically in the rear. While MINI chose to modify the UKL chassis to shorten the rear giving the current Countryman slightly more MINI-like proportions, our sources tell us that this next generation car will more closely follow the BMW X1 in overall size. This will allow for a larger cargo area and more rear legroom. 

What about weight? Our sources are telling us that MINI will make use of advanced chassis design and plenty of new aluminum components to reduce the weight gain we’ll see. We can get an idea of weight by looking at the new BMW X1 which has a 3,750 lbs curb weight. That only up 24 lbs despite being marginally larger and being offered with more standard equipment. Given this we’d expect the next generation Countryman All4 will be close to the current car’s 3,726 lbs curb weight.