2025 MINI Countryman SE – Exclusive Look at Real World Range & Performance
MINI’s first ever electric Countryman is here and it’s a big deal for the brand. Not just because it’s the biggest MINI ever, but it’s also the brand’s first EV that combines the popular crossover shape with full electrification. But what about range, charging speed, battery capacity and cold weather performance? We’ve got an exclusive look at a few surprising details you’ll want to know.
For most of this article we’ll be focusing on the Countryman SE given its global availability.
Despite its size, the larger Countryman SE has an increase of range over the F56 Cooper SE thanks to the higher capacity 66.5 kWh battery pack, a more efficient drivetrain design and a 0.26 drag coefficient. The effect is a UK range of 245 to 287 miles depending on how much urban vs. highway driving you’re doing. In the US that is estimated to be to be just over 200 miles of EPA range.
| Countryman E | Countryman SE | MINI Cooper E | MINI Cooper SE | MINI Aceman E | MINI Aceman SE | |
| Power | 204 hp | 313 hp | 184 bhp | 218 hp | 184 bhp | 218 hp |
| Battery Size | 66.5 kWh | 66.5 kWh | 42.5 kWh | 54.2 kWh | 42.5 kWh | 54.2 kWh |
| Usable Battery | 63.78 kWh | 63.78 kWh | 38.5 kWh | 49.2 kWh | 38.5 kWh | 49.2 kWh |
| WLTP Range – Europe | 273 miles | 261 miles | 190 miles | 250 miles | 193 miles | 254 miles |
| EPA Range – United States (estimated) | 213 miles | 204 miles | 148 miles | 195 miles | 151 miles | 198 miles |
With either set of numbers it’s clear that the Countryman SE will be a much more viable choice than the first generation Cooper SE with its 114-mile range (EPA) – the only other electric MINI previously available in the US. For markets outside of North America, MINI will offer two other fully electric cars: the J01 Cooper and J05 Aceman crossover. Due to both being exclusively manufactured in China initially, the North American market will have to wait until 2026 when production will expand to the UK.
The battery capacity in the electric MINI Countryman E and SE is 66.5 kWh with the usable size being 63.78 kWh. The 400v system allows an AC charging speed of 11kW and a DC charging speed of 130kW. In ideal scenarios (charging at 130kW) the electric Countryman SE can get from 5-80% in only 29min. In miles that’s roughly 23 to 184 miles in normal operating temperatures. While we didn’t need to charge our test car (our time was limited to a few hundred miles) that type of charging speed sounds fantastic. However, the ability to recharge the Countryman SE quickly will be more dependent on the charging network than the car itself.
The MINI Countryman SE: Real-World Range Scenarios
It’s no secret that EVs like moderate temperatures. We’ve seen range drop significantly in extreme cold over the years. But what many don’t know is that even slightly cold temperatures can noticeably affect how far your batteries will take you.
The data below shows you the range you can expect across summer and winter driving and the effects are obvious. These numbers (based on European WLTP testing) paint a more realistic view of what it would be like to live with a Countryman SE than a single range rating.
Naturally, the best case scenario for range is moderate temperatures and urban driving. The worst is to drive the Countryman SE on the highway in -14°F temperatures. You can see below that the Countryman SE could see as much as a 50% drop from its 332-mile range it could theoretically achieve in ideal temperatures. This is why it’s difficult to understand the full range scenarios from one figure as is typically listed.
| Mild Weather Scenarios | Range Estimates |
|---|---|
| City – Mild Weather * | 535 km / 332 miles |
| Highway – Mild Weather * | 340 km / 211 miles |
| Combined – Mild Weather * | 420 km / 261 miles |
| Cold Weather Scenarios | Range Estimates |
|---|---|
| City – Cold Weather * | 360 km / 224 miles |
| Highway – Cold Weather * | 265 km / 165 miles |
| Combined – Cold Weather * | 310 km / 192 miles |
2025 MINI Countryman Electric Charging Speed
Charging speed is as critical if not more so than range depending on your situation. The electric Countryman SE supports DC fast charging at up to 130kW. This allows for a charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in only 29 minutes. While we don’t have US-specific data, we do have European data on charging speeds which should give you an idea of what we’ll see with the electric MINI Countryman SE.
One important note: the 11kW on-board charger referenced above requires 3-phase AC to achieve that power level. Due to infrastructure in North America, it will be 7.4kW just like the F56 MINI Cooper SE.
| Charging Point | Max. Power | Power | Time | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard 11.0 kW On-Board Charger | ||||
| Wall Plug (2.3 kW) | 230V / 1x10A | 2.3 kW | 33h15m | 11 km/h |
| 1-phase 16A (3.7 kW) | 230V / 1x16A | 3.7 kW | 20h45m | 18 km/h |
| 1-phase 32A (7.4 kW) | 230V / 1x32A | 7.4 kW | 10h30m | 35 km/h |
| 3-phase 16A (11 kW) | 400V / 3x16A | 11 kW | 7 hours | 53 km/h |
| 3-phase 32A (22 kW) | 400V / 3x16A | 11 kW † | 7 hours | 53 km/h |
| Optional 22.0kW On-Board Charger * | ||||
| Wall Plug (2.3 kW) | 230V / 1x10A | 2.3 kW | 33h15m | 11 km/h |
| 1-phase 16A (3.7 kW) | 230V / 1x16A | 3.7 kW | 20h45m | 18 km/h |
| 1-phase 32A (7.4 kW) | 230V / 1x32A | 7.4 kW | 10h30m | 35 km/h |
| 3-phase 16A (11 kW) | 400V / 3x16A | 11 kW | 7 hours | 53 km/h |
| 3-phase 32A (22 kW) | 400V / 3x32A | 22 kW † | 3h30m | 100 km/h |
† = Limited by the on-board charger, vehicle cannot charge faster.
Data provided by ev-database.org
MotoringFile’s Take
As with all electric cars you have to ask yourself – will this new electric Countryman fit my lifestyle? With the original Cooper SE that was a tough sell for anyone looking to take even short road trips. But with the new electric MINI Countryman SE the equation has changed.
The range dramatically increases the use cases for this car over the Cooper SE and thus its appeal. But that doesn’t mean everything here is cutting-edge. In many ways, the Countryman’s EV underpinnings are appropriately middle of the pack. Proven tech with conservative ratings, it’s designed and engineered to last. And given the needs of consumers that might be a better fit for the typical Countryman SE buyer.
Note that the 11kW on-board charger requires 3-phase AC to achieve that power level. For North America, it will be 7.4kW just like the F56 SE Hardtop since we only have single-phase AC.
Will the Countryman SE have a heat pump? If so, that will significantly improve “cold” weather range like it does on the F56. At -14F the heat pump won’t work as well (if equipped) so resistive heating is used; truly a worst-case scenario for range impact.
Great point. I’ll make sure we add that detail.
Given the F56 Cooper SE (and the BMW i3 upon which its BEV drivetrain is based) has a heat pump, I sure hope the U25 Countryman SE does. Then again, I don’t know if the J01 Cooper SE has one. As a longtime EV driver and enthusiast, I wouldn’t buy an EV without a heat pump at this point because I live somewhere that experiences winter.
I shared the same on Facebook…
Are we really expecting only ~200 miles of rated range in the U.S.? If that turns out to be accurate, I don’t see U.S. buyers being particularly excited or enthusiastic about this vehicle. I love my MINIs, and I love my EVs (I’m on my third), and if there’s one thing I’ve learned in nearly 10 years of driving EVs, it’s that rated range is super important to potential buyers. Potential buyers get uncomfortable at 250 miles of rated range, and I’m guessing they’ll completely pass on a new EV that’s only rated for 200 miles. The Cooper SE is a fantastic urban or grocery-getter car and because of its price point can be justified as such. But the Countryman SE will carry a much, much higher price tag and how will MINI “sell” this to buyers when it’s a family hauler not a city car? I had very high hopes for the Countryman SE and would LOVE to replace my Tesla with it, but with an estimated 200 miles of rated range, not even I, an EV enthusiast and experienced EV owner, would buy one.
<ol>
<li>Yes – the range figure (a little higher than 200) in the article will likely be very close to final.</li>
<li>This is the same battery pack as in the UK and Europe. However the EPA test cycle is much more stringent and real-world than the WLTP tests. Therefore EPA numbers are on average 22% lower Than the WLTP.</li>
<li>Why do you think MINI USA just published this data: <a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2024/06/05/mini-usas-annual-ev-survey-shows-continued-strong-interest-in-electric-vehicles/" rel="ugc">https://www.motoringfile.com/2024/06/05/mini-usas-annual-ev-survey-shows-continued-strong-interest-in-electric-vehicles/</a></li>
</ol>
The key stat they’ll point to is that most US consumers drive less than 75 miles daily. Of course at home charging is an assumption there.
According to data from the Federal Highway Administration, Americans drive an average of 14,263 miles per year, which is just under 40 miles a day. Of course people in some states drive more per year than others.
If you’re just driving to and from work or the store on a regular basis and charging at home you’re not going to notice the range at all, unless it’s an LFP battery in the winter. The problem occurs when you want to take a trip. That’s when charging speed, curve, and availability of reliable DC fast chargers is paramount.
If a vehicle has a smaller range, but a fast charging speed it’s less of a concern. Unfortunately the U25 only charges at 130kW. In comparison, a Tesla Model Y standard range charges at 170kW, but it can go 270 miles per charge. The long range and performance variants can charge at 250kW. There are even new vehicles out there that have 800V architectures that can charge at 350kW, but you have to find a compatible charger to get those speeds and that’s just the peak.
I hope that the Countryman EV does well regardless. The brand has some really loyal customers who made the F56 EV a reality and it could only go 114 miles. I really think MINI should have made a Clubman EV though. The longer chassis could have housed a bigger battery. I think most Americans are probably looking for an EV than can go at least 300 miles regardless of how little driving they do.