MINI Countryman Review

Malaysia's compact SUV market has always been a battlefield where fuel-powered and new energy vehicles coexist. Consumers desire designs with high brand recognition, while also expecting a balance of practicality for daily use and driving pleasure. The 2025 MINI Countryman S ALL4, one of the rare five-door compact SUVs under the MINI brand, has attracted significant attention since its launch in February due to its continuation of classic design, updated technology features, and standard all-wheel-drive system. The purpose of our test drive was to verify whether it can strike the perfect balance between the "MINI personality" and the "practicality of a family SUV," and also to assess whether its value for money is competitive within its price range.

The first impression of the 2025 Countryman S ALL4 is that it’s noticeably larger than its predecessor — a length of 4433mm, width of 1843mm, height of 1656mm, along with a wheelbase of 2692mm, which is 134mm longer and has a 22mm longer wheelbase compared to the 2021 Cooper S. Its size now aligns more with a traditional compact SUV, but MINI’s signature elements remain untouched. The front retains its iconic round headlights, now upgraded with full LED lighting systems. The ring-shaped daytime running lights are connected to the chrome trim of the grille, ensuring high recognition; the trapezoidal air intake below the front bumper, along with the black trims on both sides, adds a touch of ruggedness typically associated with SUVs. The side profile features simple lines, with a waistline stretching from the front fender to the rear, preventing the sides from appearing bulky. The 20-inch wheels paired with 245/40 R20 tires give it a visually robust appearance. The rear design is equally classic, with square-shaped taillights featuring a Union Jack LED pattern. The "MINI" lettering at the center of the tailgate replaces the round logo from the previous model, and the silver skid plate along with the dual exhaust layout maintains the sporty character of the S model. Overall, the new car retains MINI’s iconic charm while integrating larger dimensions and refined details, adding a touch of maturity.

Opening the door, the interior design continues the brand’s "circular theme," with the most striking feature being the centrally located 9.4-inch OLED circular touchscreen on the dashboard. The interface is clear and smooth, supporting CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Its operation logic is similar to that of a smartphone, making it very user-friendly. The instrument panel has been replaced with a HUD head-up display, allowing drivers to see speed, navigation, and other information without looking down, which is practical. In terms of materials, the upper part of the dashboard and the inside of the door panels are wrapped in soft-touch materials, complemented by stitched craftsmanship for a more refined feel compared to the previous model. For configurations, the front seats are power-adjustable, with leather upholstery that isn’t particularly soft but offers great support; dual-zone automatic climate control, rear air vents, keyless entry/start are all standard features, providing sufficient convenience for daily use. Space performance is a highlight this time. With the extended wheelbase, the rear legroom is noticeably more generous than the previous model. A 175cm passenger can sit with two fists distance between their knees and the front seat, and there’s over a fist space for headroom, ensuring no sense of confinement. The trunk offers 460 liters of storage space, easily accommodating two 28-inch suitcases. The rear seats support a 4/2/4 split-fold configuration, which can further expand storage capacity, making it fully adequate for home use. There are plenty of storage compartments inside the car, and the space in the front center armrest box and door panel storage slots is practical. The positioning of the wireless phone charging pad is also conveniently designed.

Powertrain-wise, the 2025 Countryman S ALL4 is equipped with a 2.0T turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering a maximum power of 148kW (201PS) and a maximum torque of 300N·m. It is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system. The official 0-100km/h acceleration time is 7.4 seconds. In actual driving, the low-end torque performance is quite good, as it can deliver maximum torque at 1500rpm. The start is very smooth, making it easy and confident to follow or overtake in urban traffic. The gearbox has a clear shifting logic, with proactive upshifts during daily driving, maintaining a good level of smoothness. When switched to sport mode, downshifts are faster, and throttle response becomes more sensitive, providing some driving pleasure. The steering wheel offers moderate resistance and precise handling, featuring MINI's typical tuning. It doesn't feel like a compact SUV when driving, but rather has the agility of a smaller car. The chassis adopts a front MacPherson and rear multi-link independent suspension, with a sport-oriented tuning. Body roll is well-controlled during cornering, maintaining stability, and when driving over speed bumps or uneven urban roads, the suspension absorbs most minor bumps without feeling too stiff, striking a balance between sportiness and comfort.

The all-wheel-drive system performs well on rainy or slippery roads, providing a noticeable improvement in grip stability. When cornering, there is no front-wheel skidding. Regarding fuel consumption, we drove half the journey in the city and half on the highway, and the average fuel consumption was about 8.5L/100km. Considering the all-wheel-drive system and the 2.0T engine, this result is at a mid-level within its class. Noise control is also done well — even at 120km/h on the highway, wind and tire noise are not excessive, and in-car conversations are hardly impacted.

Overall, the greatest advantage of the 2025 MINI Countryman S ALL4 is its "balance"—it retains MINI's brand personality and driving enjoyment while enhancing practicality for family use through its increased size and upgraded configurations. Compared to competitors in the same price range, such as the BMW X1 sDrive20i or the Mercedes-Benz GLA 200, it comes with standard all-wheel drive, richer features like a head-up display (HUD), 360-degree panoramic camera, and automatic parking, making it a better value for money.

This car is suitable for two types of consumers: those who love the MINI brand but need an SUV that fulfills family usage, and young buyers looking for a distinctive, fun-to-drive compact SUV with adequate features. If you're solely pursuing affordability for family use, Japanese SUVs might be a better choice. However, if you want a car that is both "cute and practical," the 2025 Countryman S ALL4 is a solid option.

In summary, the 2025 MINI Countryman S ALL4 is a "matured MINI." It is no longer just a quirky little car for occasional fun, but a practical SUV for daily commutes and weekend family trips, while still retaining MINI's most attractive elements—driving pleasure and unique design. For those looking to balance individuality with practicality, it is worth a try.