Last week we covered MINI USA’s 2026 line-up and its rejigged pricing, equipment and option packs. Hidden in all that fine print was a notable absence: the electric MINI Countryman SE. MINI listed every model and configuration yet left the battery-powered Countryman out entirely, prompting the inevitable question of whether the brand plans to pull the car from the US market. As it turns out, that’s definitely not the case.

We turned to MINI USA for an official response and they were happy to oblige:

The 2025-to-2026 model year change-over of the MINI Countryman SE ALL4 will happen later this year to coincide with a number of product updates expected to happen at that time.  Due to the US and Canada using a “model year” approach vs registration data like the rest of the world, global product changes don’t always align neatly to the US model year cadence. Due to this expect the 2026 model to debut later this year in the 4th quarter.

MINI USA sales snapshot, Q1 2025

MotoringFile’s deep dive into the latest data shows the brand has momentum. MINI shifted 6,976 cars in the United States during the first quarter of 2025, a 9.5 percent jump over Q1 2024. The fresh five-door Cooper did most of the heavy lifting, clocking 1,289 sales and rising nearly 80 percent year on year. Countryman demand surged too, up about 50 percent and clearing the 3,000-unit threshold for the first time. Not everything was rosy: three-door Cooper sales slipped 8 percent, a decline dealers tie to the loss of the manual gearbox, and Convertible deliveries are only now ramping after a late start. Still, the figures confirm that MINI’s new-generation range is resonating with buyers.

Our Take

We have logged plenty of miles in the U25 Countryman SE and the takeaway is simple: this is the most grown-up MINI yet. Yes, the SE carries 886 lb more than the petrol JCW and never feels quite as light on its feet, but the extra heft buys silence, long-legged comfort and 245 miles of real-world range. Torque is instant, the driving experience engaging, and the cabin finally offers space to match crossover expectations. Pricey? Absolutely. Yet for many buyers it is the best daily-driver MINI we have ever tested, blending trademark character with maturity the brand has rarely shown before.