Good things come in small packages, or at least that’s the idea behind the MINI brand. Launched in 1969, the company became a subsidiary of the German luxury and performance brand BMW in 2000. The concept of the “Mini” predates the actual company by some ten years as various British brands belonging to the British Motor Corporation produced their own Mini models throughout the 1960s. Known for its compact, low-slung cars, MINI has been a mainstay of the British auto market for over 50 years.
Although early Minis were sold in America until 1967, MINI didn’t officially reach American shores in the early 2000s, introducing the MINI Hardtop in 2002. The distinctive car, with its retro design and economical size, was a bit of an iconoclast in an American market that tends to skew towards bigger, bolder models, but MINI carved out a strong following amongst drivers seeking a unique European alternative.
The MINI lineup has certainly branched out in recent decades, evolving with the times to meet changing driver demands. The first major change came in 2008 when MINI introduced the two-door Clubman, a larger, wagon-style version of the classic MINI that significantly increased legroom and cargo space when compared to the Hardtop version. Like every other automaker under the sun, MINI wasn’t immune to the SUV craze that swept the industry in the last decade, unveiling the five-door Countryman crossover in 2011. The Countryman has become a new favorite amongst MINI loyalists, though MINI did drop the Clubman at the end of the 2023 model year.
Now, the automaker is preparing to go electric, updating its classic designs for modern times with a sweeping overhaul that will see MINI phase out all gas-powered models by 2030. The company already took a shot at the EV market with the MINI Cooper SE in 2020, but the car’s 114-mile range hampered its potential in the rapidly maturing electric segment. MINI is making another attempt for 2025, introducing all-electric versions of the Hardtop and Countryman that represent a marked improvement over the first electric MINI. Bolstered by a $750 million investment from BMW, the electrification campaign should be the perfect pairing for the sprightly models, ushering the brand into the future while allowing it to retain those quirks that have made MINI such a popular alternative to larger vehicles.
There’s certainly a lot happening in the world of MINI, so where to start? To help readers wrap their heads around the changing MINI lineup, we’ve compiled a quick guide breaking down each model. Whether you’re in the market for a nimble Hardtop to snake through dense city streets, a larger Countryman with room for the whole family, or one of the company’s enticing new EV offerings, there’s a big world of MINI models to explore. Read on as we review the current lineup and see how MINI puts its “Charismatic Simplicity” design approach into action.
MINI Hardtop
MINI might be on the road to an all-electric future, but it’s not quite ready to abandon the model that brought it this far. The original Hardtop gets a ground-up refresh for the 2025 model year, with the automaker gracing the two-door model with a host of styling changes that modernize the MINI without risking any of its classic appeal. In fact, it was the classic 1959 MINI that helped to inspire the new model’s design, with the company taking a restrained approach that nixes clutter in favor of an open, airy cabin where visibility and natural light are put at the forefront. Of course, there are some decidedly modern touches, such as a new, industry-first circular infotainment display that plays well with MINI’s off-beat reputation. A heads-up display and subtle interior LED lights round out the MINI’s modern feel, while premium materials and physical toggle switches lend an air of refinement.
The 2025 MINI Hardtop has two levels of performance to choose from: the entry-level Cooper and the sportier Cooper S. While details are still scant on the 2025 model, MINI has revealed that it will be powered by a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine paired to a seven-speed DCT. Unfortunately, the traditional six-speed manual is gone for good. However, with 201 hp, the 2025 Cooper S represents a 12 hp improvement over the outgoing 2024 model––a metric that proves MINI is still having plenty of fun with the internal combustion model while it’s around.
MINI Hardtop Electric
MINI has offered an electric version of the Hardtop since 2020, but its 114-mile range was a non-starter for all but the most citybound drivers. The brand has certainly done better with the all-new 2025 model, which nearly doubles its predecessor’s range to offer around 200 miles on a single charge. The electric version shares the same modern styling updates found on the gas-powered Hardtop, marking an important upgrade that still manages to honor MINI’s long history as an automotive iconoclast. The ambient lights are a particularly novel inclusion, especially when it comes to their ability to change color in response to different drive modes and infotainment themes.
When it comes to performance, it all depends on which trim you choose. The base-level Cooper E is outfitted with a 28.9 kWh battery pack that’s good for 181 hp, while the fancier SE model is powered by a 58.4 kWh battery that gives drivers 215 hp to play with. We’re still unsure if both versions will make it to the American market, but the smart money would say that if only one can make the voyage, it’ll be the longer-range SE model. European drivers also have access to a sportier John Cooper Works version, but it will have the same powertrain as the SE.
MINI Aceman
While MINI is phasing out the Clubman as it moves into the 2025 model year, the gap between the Cooper and the Countryman isn’t going to sit vacant for very long. First debuting as a concept vehicle in 2022, the 2025 MINI Aceman is an all-new battery-electric subcompact crossover SUV. The Aceman is expected to offer more than 200 miles of driving range and an ALL4 four-wheel drive variant, but other than that, details are still hard to come by. The crossover has only been briefly mentioned in some recent press material, but expect it to hit dealerships by the end of the year.
MINI Countryman
By most measures, the Countryman is still a small vehicle, but it’s a veritable behemoth when stacked up against the rest of the 2025 MINI lineup. The five-door, subcompact crossover has been giving drivers a roomy alternative to the MINI Hardtop since 2010, with the third-gen model hitting the streets for the 2025 model year.
The Countryman isn’t just larger than the classic Hardtop; it’s also a little more rugged with MINI’s ALL4 four-wheel drive system. Case in point: a souped-up version of the Countryman has been a podium regular at some of the world’s toughest rally circuits, including four straight wins at the Dakar Rally between 2012 and 2015. The consumer-grade version of the SUV is powered by a brawny 241 hp turbocharged 2.0L inline-four––the same engine you’ll find in the new BMW X1––which should add a little excitement to your everyday driving.
All-new for 2025, the Countryman sees the same interior upgrades as the Hardtop. This includes the latest iteration of MINI’s Operating System 9, which includes some fun customizable features like the ability to upload your own picture to use as an infotainment display background. While the Countryman can sprint from zero to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, it is the abundance of interior room that really sets the SUV apart. The backseat might still be a little cozy for some taller passengers, but the front seats provide plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy the ride.
MINI Countryman JCW
MINI’s John Cooper Works trim has long served as the company’s excuse to push the envelope, introducing high-performance elements that make these MINIs a whole different ball of wax. Named after a famed race car designer who modified the original Minis for motorsports, the JCW trim was once offered on MINI’s Hardtop, Clubman, and Countryman models. The Countryman is now the last model keeping the JCW dream alive, though the brand’s all-electric ambitions hold plenty of potential for more JCW models somewhere down the road.
The MINI Countryman JCW takes everything there is to love about the spacious Countryman and kicks it up a notch. A turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine putting out 312 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque is the star of the show, but a seven-speed DCT also deserves a little praise. The setup is especially sporty thanks to the inclusion of steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, which give drivers the chance to change gears at their leisure. With a zero-to-60-mph time of 5.4 seconds and an upgraded suspension package, the JCW provides a thrilling alternative to the base Countryman and rounds out the package with a number of race-ready modifications. These range from red brake calipers to colorful flourishes and bright accents throughout the cabin.
MINI Countryman Electric
Finally, there’s the MINI Countryman in a new all-electric guise. With room for four, 313 hp, and a range in excess of 200 miles, the MINI Countryman Electric might just be the most well-rounded and practical MINI model to date. The SUV will debut in the SE ALL4 trim, but Europe is getting a front-wheel drive E version with 204 hp. With two electric motors and all-wheel drive, the electric Countryman SE is no Sunday driver, allowing drivers to experience all the performance-related fun an electric SUV has to offer while remaining surprisingly efficient. The dual-motor ALL4 version can do zero to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, though the single-motor, front-wheel drive version is a bit of a slowpoke at 8.6 seconds.
The Countryman is also doubling down on what it does best, with MINI actually expanding the SUV’s interior for the 2025 model year. Exact dimensions have yet to be released, but drivers and passengers alike are sure to appreciate the extra room in this historically undersized model. The EV is packed with a host of modern safety and driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist, though you’ll have to invest in the Driving Assistant Plus package if you want to enjoy some of the more premium offerings like adaptive cruise control and lane-centering.
A New Era for MINI
The MINI lineup is unlike anything else on the road. When the brand first arrived on the American market in 2002, the diminutive MINI Hardtop challenged the status quo with its smaller-than-life stature. While this lack of size might have put MINI at a disadvantage in the American market, the brand soon found that, for a certain type of driver, it’s all part of the appeal. MINI has continued to build on its early success by sticking to its roots, offering a line of plucky, spirited vehicles that are proud to stand out from the crowd. The push towards electrification should mesh well with the MINI brand with new models like the MINI Cooper SE, MINI Aceman, and MINI Countryman SE, marking the start of a fun new era for the storied British brand. With the resources and experience of BMW to back it up, expect MINI to continue building on its impressive track record.
