First Real-World Photo Gallery of the 2025 MINI Countryman SE

The first real-world gallery along with an executive summary of the new 2025 MINI Countryman SE

The MINI Countryman SE is a big deal for the brand. It’s on an all new platform that makes it both noticeably bigger and more powerful than ever. But wrapping your head around the size and the new styling isn’t easy (see all the negative commentary online). That’s why these photos are a big deal as they represent the first time MINI has released a full gallery of real-world shots of this all new 2025 MINI Countryman.

In this article we’re not only going to show you a real-world view of the 2025 electric MINI Countryman but we’re going to take you on a quick tour of the car inside and out. For more details on the technical side of the car, head to our U25 section where you’ll read exclusive technical details among other things.

Exterior – First Hands on Impressions

Walking up to the all new MINI Countryman Electric for the first time you’re immediately struck by two things in quick succession. First, the size. This new Countryman now feels like a true crossover ready to fully compete in its segment. Then they it hits you – this thing has curves. Sculpture on the fenders. A vertical ridge just behind the front tire. There’s dimension to the car that we’ve never seen before in a MINI. Whether it all works for you or not, its clear MINI has

The result is a Countryman that not only looks more sophisticated but also is more upright, athletic. A lot of that is missed in most still imagery but you can see some of that here.

Countryman looks a bit challenging when we first saw it in the leaked photos from earlier this year. But in person things immediately start to connect. For one you get a sense of accurate scale. While it’s indeed larger, (5 inches in length) this new Countryman has proportions that work – maybe even better than the previous F60.

While we’ve always loved the original R60 for its size and brashness, there was a lot going on from a styling perspective. Then there’s the F60 which looks a bit ungainly from some angles owning to proportions that always felt a touch off. This new Countryman fixes all of those issues with a new, simplistic design language that MINI calls Charismatic Minimalism. The philosophy replies on reducing the elements down to the absolutely core, creating a more minimal and sophisticated appearance.

One thing that has been lost in the need for aero efficiency is the grab-style door handles. In their place are door handles that, while more aero efficient, are hard to grab and will annoy anyone not used to them.

The front of the new Countryman is much more angular and upfront that we’ve seen previously. While there’s a reduction in shapes and materials upfront, it’s not as starkly minimal as the new Cooper. Instead MINI has patterns in the plastic fenders (which are still here as oppose to the new Cooper) and indents on the front splitter and rear bumper.

But there’s no question this is one area that divides a lot of fans of the brand. It’s a big departure from the round designs we’ve seen from the past. Part of this departure has to do with the simplicity of the front bumper design.

Interior – First Hands on Impressions

Like the Cooper, the Countryman has done away with the cluster display and minimized other controls in the name of simplification. Not unlike the original MINI, the Countryman has been designed to do more with the space it has. For instance gone is the center console and shifter. In its place, just below the toggle switches is an optional Qi wireless charger for smartphones and behind that two large, integrated cupholders.

You’ll be happy to know the design works well in that your phone is visible and continuously charging at the same time – all with no wires. And yes, the cupholders look big enough for most American-sized drinks. I say most because I am sad to report the ubiquitous Nalgene 32 oz water bottle will not fit in the door pocket as it does in the current F60. As a dedicated Naglene user who appreciates being hydrated, it feels like an unfortunate oversight.

Like the new Cooper, MINI is offering a system that allows you to personalize your console with several options storage areas. Want more cupholders? You can add them just like you can add larger storage units as well. If that sounds familiar it’s because this new system is inspired by the original Countryman’s center rail, this new system allows for several different configurations with MINI’s upcoming accessory plans. But what makes this different than the rail system is that it’s also functional storage with no accessories at all. It’s worth noting that the two systems in the cars are not compatible due to the differences in width.

One of the bigger criticisms inside has been the elimination of leather and the textiles used in place of polyurethane foam. I know it seems odd at first, but trust us, it looks and feels great in person. In fact after spending some time with the new MINIs (both have this as standard) you wonder why we’ve had black foam on cars for so long.

The move from polyurethane based foam rubber outer layer to fabric makes sense for several reasons. For one it’s cooler in hot conditions which will play well in hot climates (which seems to be much of the southern US these days). Then there’s the environmental impact as it’s both made from recycled fibers and itself is easily recyclable. Finally it allows MINI to be much more bold (or not) in its interior designs.

How does it feel? Very robust and clearly designed for a very long life-span. However my first thought was, how do I clean it? I asked folks from MINI that question and the answer was pretty simple – a damp cloth.

Leather is also gone from the MINI range starting with this new generation. Due to the environmental impact of leather, MINI has brought several new materials to market that are aimed at either replacing the feel of leather or replacing it with entirely new textile based options. The most popular option will surely be Vescin, MINI’s leather replacement. For a deep dive on the material, read our exclusive look at Vescin.

That New Circular Screen, the MINI OS9 Interface & A Projector?

We’ve already done a full review of both so you’ll definitely want to check that out if you want all the details. But just like the Cooper, the new circular screen dominates the cabin in a good way, adding a clear focal point as well as being successful in combining enormous functionality into one screen. The other thing is does it clean-up the interior making the space more serene.

The one thing that hasn’t been talked about much is the optional light projector behind the screen. It allows the car to extend the Experience Modes with projects light effects on the dash that, in the dark, is very striking. It may sound gimmicky but in real-life it’s a pretty compelling trick. And yes, it can also be turned off.

Our Early Take

This is a very different car than the original R60 MINI Countryman. Larger and more sophisticated, it’s lost some of the striking smallness of the original Countryman. But MINI’s aim was to listen to what consumers wanted and that’s clearly a larger, more capable crossover than even the F60 (much less the R60). But what do you think? Have a look at the full gallery below and let us know in the comments.

The 2025 Electric MINI Countryman SE Photo Gallery

The 2025 MINI Countryman Model Range

This is Just the Start – An Entire New MINI Family is Coming

The new J01 MINI Cooper electric and U25 MINI Countryman (electric) will begin production this November with the the internal combustion U25 Countryman starting in Q1 2024. Then we’ll see the heavily revised F56 morph into the F66 internal combustion MINI Cooper. This will be MINI’s answer to all those who want a Cooper but aren’t ready for electric. Finally we’ll see the all electric MINI Aceman crossover which effectively takes the place of the beloved MINI Clubman. The Aceman will be a small crossover roughly the size of the original MINI Countryman and will be released late next year.

For more coverage of the new generation MINI released recently, check out the following articles and videos.

MINI Cooper EV: Premier | MINI Cooper EV: Hands-On Review | MINI Cooper EV: Video Review

MINI Countryman EV: Premier | MINI Countryman EV: Hands-On Review | MINI Countryman EV: Video Review

New MINI Family: 1st Look Video | MINI Circular Display & MINI OS9 Hands-On Review