Picture "MINI" and you probably see circles and ovals.
Not anymore.
The MINI Countryman...in fact, the entire MINI line...is all-new for 2025 and there are major changes to the design language. The front end still telegraphs "this is a MINI", but strip the badges off and show the car to people from any other angle, and the chances of IDing it at a glance are likely to fall off drastically.
Will the faithful buy off on squares and trapezoids?
There are some compelling arguments to be made under the hood of the 2025 MINI Countryman S ALL4. What was 189 horsepower in last year's model is now 241. Zero to 60 sprints happen half a second quicker...6.3 seconds instead of 6.8. The EPA fuel economy average is a combined 27 mpg city/highway---up one mile per gallon from the '24.
Shifiting happens through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic---but there are no paddle shifters.
There's 25 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seats. Fold those flat and it becomes 56 cubic feet.
The new Countryman has a one-inch longer wheelbase and that benefits the second-row passengers, who get a generous 37.0 inches of legroom.
The squares/pixels theme expands inside the cockpit---doorpanel designs, door handles---even the speaker grille in the center of the dash.
Not counting the steering wheel hub, the cupholders and the tiny radio volume knob, there's only one circle left---and you can't miss it.
There is now a round 9.4-inch touchscreen in the center of the dash. And it's emphasized by the fact that there is no longer an instrument display in front of the driver.
MINI isn't the only car to do that---Tesla's Model 3, Model Y and Cybertruck put it all on the center screen, too. But MINI hedged its bets a bit by including a head-up display so drivers can check speed and other limited functions without taking their eyes off the road.
The size and readability of the center screen do make it easy to check with peripheral vision...and there are multiple MINI "experiences" that change the appearance of the screen. Two of them, Green and Go-Kart, also act as driving modes (in place of settings like "Eco" and "Sport").
The base price of the 2025 MINI Countryman S ALL4 is $39,895, including destination. Standard at that price are a comprehensive suite of active safety features, heated steering wheel and front seats, power-folding exterior mirrors welcome lights, keyless access, digital key, power tailgate, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone automatic climate control with charcoal filter, rear vents, 20/40/20 folding adjustable rear seat, a panoramic glass roof with shade, auto-dimming interior and driver's side exterior rear-view mirror, roof rails, floor mats, a 100-watt, six-speaker Harman/Kardon surround sound audio system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a one-year trial subscription to SiriusXM 360L, navigation, ambient interior lighting, tire pressure monitoring, LED lighting with high-beam assist, and an active driver seat including lumbar adjustment.
Our vehicle also had extra-cost options. The Iconic trim (privacy glass, power front seats and an interior camera) added $3,200. Favoured Style (20-inch windmill-spoke summer tires, a body-colored roof, anthracite headliner and John Cooper Works sport seats) was $600. The Comfort Package Max (active driving assistant pro, parking assistant plus, wireless device charging and navigation with augmented reality) puts another $900 on the tab.
Our car didn't have remote engine start prep, so $300 was taken off the price.
All told, the bottom line on the window sticker reads $44,295.
MINI has established a reputation as a premium compact, so the price tag isn't likely to scare off too much of the fan base. The question will be whether this very thorough re-design went too far with the changes for their taste.
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