2027 Mini Countryman SE Review

Whimsy-maxxing is a microtrend that recently exploded on social media.

Its rising popularity probably has to do with the fact that adulthood often feels too serious, and it sometimes seems like everyone has forgotten how to have fun. Whimsy-maxxing gives you permission to be silly and more playful as an escape from the monotony and doom and gloom of everyday life.

Mini was whimsy-maxxing long before it became trendy to lean into a more quirky existence. This oddball British brand has more whimsy than almost any other in the industry, and the fully electric 2027 Mini Countryman SE crossover embodies this joie de vivre well.

Design: 10/10

Mini is nothing if not cute. Even though this is a “big Mini”, the design cues that make the mini-Mini so adorable translate well onto this larger body style. The wheels are pushed out as far as possible, the overhangs are short, the proportions are tidy, and it balances looking fun and sporty while still being stylish and cute, which isn’t easy to accomplish. Yes, it’s quite large for a subcompact crossover, but the proportions make the Countryman look smaller than it is.

The available two-tone colour scheme adds to the fun factor, with the contrasting silver roof (which looks more like a pale brushed gold in reality) and mirror caps matching nicely with the upgraded wheels and trim around the grille.

The focus on style continues inside with ambient lighting and fun blue textiles on the door panels and dashboard that’s woven from recycled polyester, which adds some personality, colour, and warmth to the cabin — traits dreadfully lacking in most interiors these days. The cabin is a mix of modern minimalism and retro fun, which is refreshing because it’s so different from anything else out there.

Powertrain: 8/10

While the Countryman is still offered with a gas powertrain, the one tested here is fully electric and comes with an estimated 328 to 341 km of range, depending on wheel size. If you have home charging and don’t road trip much, that should be more than sufficient, but there are more affordable electric vehicles (EVs) available that offer a lot more range. Charged to 100 per cent, however, this tester had an indicated range of 408 km.

Charging is capped at a decently quick 130 kW, which is fast enough to get the Countryman SE from 10 to 80 per cent in about half an hour in ideal conditions. Level 2 charging happens at 9.6 kW, which gets the Countryman SE to 100 per cent in 7.5 hours.

Total system output is 308 hp and 364 lb-ft of torque, which is enough to zip from zero to 100 km/h in just 5.6 seconds for plenty of instantaneous passing power. All-wheel drive is standard with the all-electric Mini Countryman SE, with an electric motor on each axle providing traction to all four wheels.

Efficiency: 7/10

This particular Mini may have outperformed its range estimate, which is good news, but when looking at the numbers, the Countryman SE lags in efficiency. Its official Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) efficiency is a combined 22.9 kWh/100 km, but after about 345 km of mixed driving, the indicated efficiency was a pretty abysmal 28.5 kWh/100 km. Granted, it was exceptionally hot, and much of that driving was done on the highway; but with a usable battery capacity of 64.7 kWh, that kind of consumption would mean an effective range of just 227 km on a full charge.

Driving Feel: 8/10

The Countryman SE maintains the go-kart feeling Minis have become so well known for, so it handles really well and tackles corners with confidence. I wish the steering had more feeling and feedback because it’s quite numb, even in the sportier drive setting. The chassis is also incredibly stiff, and while it pays off in how it handles, it becomes very uncomfortable over broken roads. I wish it was just a bit more softly sprung and more comfortable.

User Friendliness: 6/10

While the user-friendliness of this Countryman has improved drastically over the previous-generation model, the new interface is far from perfect. The new circular infotainment screen is unique and fun, but it’s just not user-friendly enough. It takes too many taps to complete a simple task, shortcuts are not clearly labelled, the menu structure isn’t very intuitive, icons are often not obvious to decipher, and nearly every function needs to be accessed through the touchscreen.

To use functions like seat or steering wheel heat, for example, drivers must take their eyes off the road to tap a tiny button on the screen and then choose the level. There’s also no dedicated driver information display, and vital information is shown on the central touchscreen or a somewhat flimsy optional flip-up head-up display.

I love Mini’s continued use of retro-looking toggle switches, however, and I wish it would use even more of them in addition to the ones for gear selection, drive modes, and power. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay help matters, as does the voice-activated assistant that responds to conversational questions and commands, but the Countryman needs a more seamlessly useful touchscreen and more physical buttons.

Everyday Usability: 9/10

The Countryman’s cabin has plenty of options for small-item storage like big door pockets, covered cubbies, and a couple of useful shelves and nooks. The trunk is rated to hold 460 L, which expands to 1,450 L with the rear seats folded flat. The rear seats fold in a 40/20/40 split so the middle seat can fold down on its own to fit long items while still being able to comfortably seat four passengers. There’s also hidden underfloor storage in the trunk, providing a helpful place to store onboard charging cables.

Comfort: 7/10

The chunky steering wheel is uncomfortable and a bit awkward to use, but the bigger issue is how stiff the suspension is. It’s just a bit too jarring for everyday driving. Headroom is decent for all occupants, and while legroom isn’t segment-leading it’s also not cramped.

Equipment: 8/10

Standard equipment highlights include a big panoramic glass roof, heated steering wheel, heated front seats, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, auto-dimming mirrors, proximity door locks, 19-inch wheels, and an onboard Level 2 charging cable.

The Premier+ package ($2,750) adds a parking assistant with 360-degree camera views, an upgraded sound system, head-up display, augmented reality navigation (kind of a gimmick because it’s not that useful), and a dashcam system.

Safety: 8/10

Blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, front collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and automatic parking assistant with back-up assistance are all standard. An optional Advanced Driver Assistance package ($2,000) adds adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assistance.

The problem is that the Mini Countryman SE is constantly chiming, but there’s often no indication of what it’s trying to warn you about, so it becomes more annoying than it is useful.

Value for Money: 7/10

The 2027 Mini Countryman SE starts at $59,900 before the $2,995 destination fee, options, and taxes, making it ineligible for government incentives. The one tested here had nearly $8,500 in options, bringing the total to $71,535 before tax. For that sum or less, other EVs often offer more range and features, but few can match the Countryman SE when it comes to style.

The Verdict

Whimsy-maxxing is nostalgia-driven and often involves bedazzling your stuff like a grade schooler, hanging stuffed animals from your bags, or even putting sprinkles in your morning coffee, but the core idea behind the trend is to find delight in unnecessary things simply because they make you smile.

Driving can be a tedious task and cars can be exceptionally boring. So if you’re looking to whimsy-maxx your daily commute, the 2027 Mini Countryman SE is made for sparking joy. While it’s not the best, most user-friendly, or innovative EV, it’s tough to beat on playfulness and personality.