If you got a 2026 Mini Countryman SE now, you may have just gotten the wrong end of the stick. How? It just received a welcome powertrain upgrade. As a result, the Countryman SE now goes farther on a single charge. The SUV gets a new battery with slightly more usable energy capacity at 65.2 kWh. It also receives a new silicon carbide inverter, which guarantees efficient energy conversion, all while minimizing power losses. Additionally, friction-reduced wheel bearings on the front axle reduce rolling resistance, thereby improving efficiency.
These changes work together with the aerodynamic optimizations on the 2026 Mini Countryman SE. As a result, it has a low drag coefficient of 0.26, improving its driving range and efficiency. Even its optional 20-inch alloy wheels were designed to help it go farther on a single charge. All of these changes increase the Countryman SE’s driving range. In the WLTP cycle, it goes up to 467 km or around 290 miles. That rounds out to an increase of roughly 8 to 10 percent versus the current model.
2026 Mini Countryman SE: A More Viable EV?
However, expect that number to drop by around 15 to 20 percent. Currently, the EPA rates it at 212 miles with the standard 19-inch alloy wheels or 204 miles with the optional 20-inch wheels. Expect the upgrades to increase the driving range by only a few miles, meaning it may not go beyond the 250-mile mark. Yes, it’s more usable, but it may turn off buyers because it falls short on paper.
On the bright side, we expect these ratings to be conservative. The two BMW Group EVs we’ve tested, an iX xDrive50 and an i4 eDrive40, have gone further than their EPA ratings. Both vehicles easily went over 300 miles on a single charge during our time with them.
Source: Mini
