Picture this: you're trapped in Sydney traffic or cruising down the Hume Highway, and suddenly, a MINI zips past. It's not the cheeky city hatch you remember - it's massive, muscular, and whisper-quiet on electric power. The word antonym springs to mind. This third-generation Countryman is the biggest MINI ever, yet it still handles like it's a Z3 M. I spent a week with the 2026 MINI Countryman SE ALL4, loaded with options like head-up display, a mega Harmon Kardon sound system, and sumptuous sports seats, and it flipped my expectations. In a sea of bland EVs, this one's got flair - think of a BMW iX1 who's a gym-junkee. For Australian families seeking real-world range (who isn't?), all-wheel drive, and genuine value under $85K, this MINI is a contender. But does the electric dream hold up down under?
Drive Car of the Year - Best Small SUV Under $90K
Feb 23, 2026 - For the second year running, the MINI Countryman has secured the title of Best Small SUV Under $90K at the 2026 Drive Car of the Year awards. It managed to beat out its own corporate siblings, the BMW iX1 and the MINI Aceman, proving that in a segment where badge appeal and style are king, the Countryman’s blend of practicality and powertrain variety still reigns supreme.
I also like that the car I've tested below is the same one Drive used for the 2026 awards. Read on...
Design & Exterior
At first glance, the Countryman SE ALL4 screams "grown-up MINI." It's the boldest yet, with a broad, tall stance, prominent C-pillars, and a geometric front grille that's all business. My tester was spec'd with the FAVOURED pack that rocked Midnight Black II paint and glossy 20” Windmill Spoke wheels in Vibrant Silver (that looks gold) - pure eye candy that turns heads on every school run or beach trip.
Dimensions? 4,445mm long, 1,843mm wide, and 1,635mm tall - small footprint for parking in tight Aussie suburbs, but big presence on the road. The flat roofline promises heaps of cargo space (up to 1,584L with seats folded), and the panoramic moonroof floods the cabin with light at no extra cost. Power tailgate? Standard. Colour options? Nine to choose from, including Chilli Red and Blazing Blue.
Real-world usability shines here. Ground clearance is a decent 171mm for our potholed roads, and the ALL4 system seamlessly juggles front and rear electric motors for grip when you need it. I saw loads of these on the roads - it's already extremely popular. It's well-built, as you'd expect from BMW underpinnings, with tight panel gaps and premium paint that shrugs off stone chips and bugs. Customisation? Almost too many toys: JCW seats, digital key, 3 colour options for your roof and mirrors. It's vast in every sense, but never feels bloated.
Interior & Technology
Slide inside, and it's MINI magic meets family practicality. The cabin's a tech feast, centred on a 240mm (9.4 inch) circular OLED display running MINI OS 9 - crisp, intuitive, with eight Experience Modes from chill Core to wild Go-Kart for kids' giggles. Voice-activated assistant? "Hey MINI, navigate to Bondi" works flawlessly, augmented reality nav overlays arrows on the real world. It's a shame Apple and Google systems don't integrate better with these very well-designed OEM systems.
This Countryman SE tester was fully-loaded: super-comfortable animal-free Vescin Beige 'leather' sport seats with massage function and heated all-round, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and that magnificent Harmon Kardon 12-speaker premium sound system pumping 360W - filling the cabin with crisp highs and thumping bass that drowns out highway drone. Wireless charging pad (that still cooks your phone), head-up display projecting speed and nav right in your eyeline, and a digital key to lock/start with the MINI App. It seats five adults reasonably well, with ISOFIX anchors galore for child seats.
There are also some lovely design touches. The HVAC vents have a very nice-to-the-touch knurling, making them very pleasant to look at and even easier to use.
Boot space? 460L behind the rear seats, expandable to 1,584L - swallows weekend luggage or Bunnings hauls. Real-world perks: flat-folding seats, 60/40 split, and underfloor storage. Build quality? Rock-solid, with soft-touch materials and upcycled Vescin that's eco-friendly and grippy. Customisation overload means you can spec ambient lighting in 12 colours or the JCW seats, but it might tempt you into option creep. For daily usability, it's a winner - spacious, connected, and fun.
Performance & Driving Experience
Here's where it gets interesting: dual motors dish up 230kW (308hp) and 494Nm of torque, hitting 0-100km/h in 5.6 seconds - which is not that swift for a 2-tonne family SUV. Push the pedal on empty roads, and it really gets going, surging silently with instant grunt. Top speed? Electronically limited to 180km/h, but you'll rarely need it.
The 65kWh battery claims 430km WLTP range, real-world closer to 300-350km on highways (but like all EVs - stay away from the Active Cruise Control where you can). DC fast-charging 10-80% in 29 minutes at 130kW DC - perfect for EVIE chargers on long hauls. Regenerative braking extends range, paddle-free one-pedal driving smooths traffic.
I don't know why or when, but the EV has introduced complexity to simply pulling away that I cannot stand - and the MINI unfortunately falls foul here too. The car comes alive when you open the door (great!), but then you've got to twist a START/STOP button, then, counter-intuitively, press down or up on the gear selector. It was easier to launch the Space Shuttle.
Driving? Pure MINI DNA. Go-kart sharp steering, minimal body roll despite the size - the ALL4 spears its way through corners like a hot hatch. The ride is compliant over speed humps, quiet at 110km/h (tyres hush at eco speeds). Eight modes tweak the throttle, regen, and visuals - Expressive for flair, Personal for your vibe. To me, this is a BMW iX1 with more flair, usable daily yet thrilling on twisties. Fuel? Zilch at the bowser - charge at home overnight on solar for next to nothing.
Safety - 5-Stars ANCAP
MINI doesn't skimp: standard adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and parking sensors with a 360-degree camera. This one added Parking Assistant Plus for auto-parking in tight spots - a godsend in crowded carparks.
The ANCAP-equivalent kit includes AEB with pedestrian/cyclist detection, traffic jam assist, and a head-up display that warns of hazards. Rear cross-traffic alert and safe exit? Tick. With the rigid structure and low battery placement, handling feels planted. Family verdict: comprehensive, unobtrusive safety that lets you relax.
Value & Verdict
At $75,000-$85,000 drive-away, it's premium but stacked with kit - panoramic roof, HUD, Harmon Kardon premium audio standard on top trims. Servicing? BMW network, 8-year/160,000km battery warranty. Resale? MINIs hold strong, especially EVs with tax perks.
Shortcomings? It's not perfect. Range dips to ~250km in the cold or after aggressive driving, and there's no spare wheel (only a tyre repair kit). The tech's brilliant but can be overwhelming - menu-diving mid-drive frustrates as everything is 'in the screen'. Rear legroom's OK, but those beautiful Vescin sport seats take up a lot of space, and headroom is tight for taller adults. Efficiency? Thirsty in stop-go (expect 18-20kWh/100km). Pricey options shoot the costs skyward - stick to basics for value. Sadly, there's no PHEV option.
Verdict: The 2026 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 nails real-world usability for Aussie EV buyers - vast space, electric thrill, tech toys galore. If you want a fun, practical family SUV with MINI soul and BMW polish, it's a steal.