2025 MINI Countryman S ALL4 Review

In recent years, the competition in the Malaysian C-Segment SUV market has become increasingly fierce. Consumers look for both practicality and driving pleasure, and the 2025 MINI Countryman S ALL4 is here to meet this demand. As the largest model in the MINI family, it enters the market equipped with a 2.0T + 8AT powertrain, standard all-wheel drive, and premium features. In this test drive, we focus on verifying whether it can simultaneously meet family practicality and MINI's iconic driving quality.

The most noticeable change is its body size: 4433mm in length, 1843mm in width, and 1656mm in height, with a 2692mm wheelbase, which significantly expands the rear row space compared to the previous generation. The exterior design retains MINI's classic elements but features sharper lines: the round headlights have been replaced with irregularly shaped designs incorporating LED daytime running lights, maintaining its distinctiveness; the front grille is surrounded by a black trim, and the lower bumper features silver skid plates, adding a rugged SUV vibe. The side profile has a waistline that extends from the front fender to the taillights, paired with 20-inch five-spoke wheels for a compact and powerful look. At the rear, the most striking feature is the horizontally integrated LED taillights, which fully light up when braking, offering high nighttime visibility.

Entering the interior, MINI's retro-tech style is well preserved. The center console is dominated by a 9.4-inch OLED circular screen with a clean interface, supporting both touch and voice control, with responsive performance. The cabin makes extensive use of soft-touch materials, and the door panels and seats are finished with textured leather that feels refined to the touch. The configuration offers numerous highlights: the front seats have electric adjustments with memory function, the HUD heads-up display is clear, and the Harman Kardon sound system delivers rich quality. The rear row is equipped with independent air conditioning vents and USB-C ports, and the seats support a 40:20:40 split-fold configuration. The trunk provides 460 liters of storage space, which can expand to 1450 liters when the seats are folded down, making it sufficient for strollers or camping gear. With the extended wheelbase, a 175cm tall passenger sitting in the rear will have two fists of legroom from the front seats, and headroom does not feel cramped.

Regarding performance, the 2.0T turbocharged engine delivers a maximum power of 148kW (201PS) and a peak torque of 300N·m, paired with an 8AT gearbox and full-time all-wheel drive system. For daily driving in comfort mode, the throttle response is linear, and the car accelerates smoothly and effortlessly. When switched to sport mode, the throttle becomes more responsive, and deep pressing the pedal provides a noticeable push-back sensation. Gear shifts are swift during overtaking, and the official 0-100km/h acceleration time is 7.4 seconds, which aligns closely with our actual tests. The steering wheel is precise with minimal play, body roll is well-controlled during cornering, and the suspension system—MacPherson in the front and multi-link at the rear—filters out most bumps on speed bumps or uneven roads while retaining some road feel, achieving a balance between handling and comfort.

For this test drive, we focused on fuel consumption. In urban traffic conditions, the fuel consumption was around 8.5L per 100km, which dropped to 6.8L during highway cruising. For a 2.0T all-wheel-drive SUV, this performance is reasonable. Noise control is also well executed; at a speed of 100km/h, wind and tire noise are not prominent, with only slight engine noise heard inside the cabin. The brake pedal provides a linear response, and during emergency braking, the vehicle remains stable with a braking distance that meets the average level of its class. The full-time all-wheel drive system performs steadily on wet and slippery roads, offering sufficient grip when cornering, and can handle occasional unpaved roads as well.

Overall, the 2025 MINI Countryman S ALL4 has prominent advantages: compared to the BMW X1 sDrive20i in the same class, it comes standard with all-wheel drive and more comprehensive safety features; its price is approximately RM 20,000 lower than the Mercedes-Benz GLA 200, offering better value for money. It retains MINI's driving pleasure while meeting family needs through an extended wheelbase and optimized space. It is suitable for young families who don't want to buy a traditional family SUV but need to balance daily commuting with weekend outings, or for consumers who appreciate MINI's brand style, focus on configurations, and driving quality.

In summary, this car achieves balance in the C-Segment SUV category: sufficient power, practical space, complete configurations, and the added brand recognition of MINI, making it a choice worth considering.