We drove and reviewed it six months ago, but until now the MINI Countryman SE ALL4 has been elusive for those looking to see it and drive it themselves. Which is a shame because this might just be the perfect Countryman for the majority of owners. Despite a range figure that some might find disappointing.

Over the last few weeks the first examples of the electric Countryman E and SE have been filtering into dealers globally and more recently the US. While the E will be the entry-level model (and range champ) for the majority of the world, the SE model will be the only one available in North America.

Countryman SE ALL4 – Range & Key Stats

MINI’s first electric SUV, features all-wheel drive, advanced driving assistance, partially automated Level 2 driving, and an electric range of up to 212 miles on the EPA cycle.

Why only 212 miles when it’s been listed in UK from 245 to 287 miles (city vs highway). It comes down to testing differences between the EPA and the WLTP. Simply put the EPA testing cycle is much more stringent and usually closer to real-world performance. It’s also worth noting that EPA testing is typically done by the manufacturers themselves and policed after the fact by the EPA. This is why we see such discrepancies in some manufactures figures.

electric MINI Countryman SE

Tesla for instance has been notoriously optimistic with its testing often rating their cars with a range that’s not achievable. BMW on the other hand has historically conservative and has erred on the low side of range figures. What this means is that the 212 mile figure in the new Countryman SE is likely on the low-end from what many owners will likely see. This will especially be true in the city.

In our experience earlier this year, we saw an estimated range around 240 miles with a mix of city and highway driving.

Just as important as range is how quickly an EV charges. The SE”s battery supports fast charging allowing it to go from 10 to 80 percent in under 30 minutes. The battery capacity is 66.5 kWh with the usable size being 63.78 kWh. The 400v system allows an AC charging speed of 11kW and DC – 130kW. In ideal scenarios (charging at 130kWx) 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. It’s not cutting edge by any means but it’s a decent upgrade from the original Cooper SE.

The Countryman SE ALL4 is equipped with two electric motors generating 308 hp and 364 lb.-ft. of torque, enabling a 0-to-60 mph acceleration in 5.4 seconds. In our testing it feels rapid but not quite as much as you’d think given it’s 700 lbs of battery weight over the new Countryman JCW.

MotoringFile’s First Review Take

In many ways the MINI Countryman SE is the most mature product the brand as ever created. In our time with the car we found it to be incredibly competent in every scenario from bumper to bumper urban traffic to motorway travel to Portugal’s best mountain roads.

While the $45,200 base price (US spec) is relatively well equipped in base form, it’s still one of the most expensive MINIs ever offered. But for the money you get a car that is miles beyond what MINI has ever offered. The level of sophistication in the drivetrain to the refinement in the tech goes well beyond what we’ve seen from the brand’s products in the past. For many potential owners the Countryman SE will feel like the ideal MINI daily driver.

It’s not the fastest nor is it the lightest on its toes. And at over 4,500 lbs it’s about as far away as you can get from the iconic MINI Cooper. But if you can charge at home and have a reasonable commute, this might just be the ideal MINI.

The MINI Countryman SE ALL4 is now widely available in the US, starting at $45,200 MSRP with a $995 destination and handling fee.