Mini Countryman S E Hybrid Review: Fun but Frustrating // Ash Davies on Cars

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The Mini Countryman Cooper S E Hybrid is both fun, and frustrating to live with. In this video I try to explain why - reviewing the lifestyle and practicality of the Mini Countryman, and how it's new Hybrid / Electric drivetrain works in a real world environment. The main question is, should you buy the petrol or hybrid version of the Mini Countryman?
This review includes it's practicality, boot space, economy, petrol versus electric range, and how far you can drive the Mini Countryman S E between fuel stops.
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#Mini #Countryman #Hybrid

[@AshDaviesonCars]

Please hit that like and subscribe button. New videos every second Tuesday, living with the latest in EV, hybrid and performance cars. What do you think of the Mini?

[@barrymcveigh8512]

A great car with a mix of elect and petrol could do with more battery

[@lorilassen6376]

Great review. I've driven this and it's so much fun! I don't see a negative in plugging it in every night. Everyone I know, who has an electric or plug-in hybrid ALWAYS plugs it in at night.

[@patrickfigalan7776]

Exactly! It takes less than 5 seconds.

[@michaelmills2263]

I agree, just need to change the behavior. With that said I rented a Hyundai Hybrid in France recently and it was nice when starting off to see a range displayed of over 700 miles.

[@bobbydilley]

One, Cooper, Cooper S, JCW are the performance names. Hatch, Roadster, Countryman, Clubman, Paceman etc. are the body names.

[@dontbanmebrodontbanme5403]

This is a very good point that I never thought of. My guess is they made the tank smaller because the range would be even less if the EV was lugging around a car with extra weight, due to carrying around more gas. I'm picking up a 2019 model tomorrow. 85% of my driving is short trips of around 15 miles. My goal is to only have to fill up once a month. If I achieve that goal, I'll call that a win.

[@ArunPlaysPiano]

Why not get a full EV then?

[@Cuzzazbuzz]

Superb review. Clear and well presented. Thank you for your effort.

[@AshDaviesonCars]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed!

[@johnohare992]

Very good review Ash. Helped me immensely. This is the best review I've seen on this car by far. Thank you.

[@ianbrock8]

EXCELLENT review. So good to have someone who "sticks to the script" and doesn't overload the viewers wit "BS". I could listen to Ash all day. What a breath of fresh air. So many presenters "imprint" their reports with their own personalities. Not Ash. He tells it like it is.

[@jdorejessica]

I thought this video was very thorough!! Most videos goes into the specs which is good but yours explain such a good point on hybrid vs petroleum. And your voice is easy on the ears too lol😅

[@Sarumanthewhite888]

Really like the way you present this Mini Countryman SE All4, very professional and persuasive, I bought one for myself recently, I love it!

[@bazlur-Vancouver]

I used to pass one summer in the '80s in Kingston upon Thames(adjacent to the riverbank) and not far from Richmond. A beautiful place and at that time no so many people over there.

[@frankmeyer1865]

Really great review, very serious and with good examples (golden retriever). I am ready for this car in the facelift version 2021. Now the batterie life is up from 45 to 60 km, unfortunately not the tank. That what makes it so positive is the friendly appearance, sometimes the small things in life become more value in our days.

[@AshDaviesonCars]

Thanks for watching!

[@michaelmills2263]

Your video was very helpful, thank you. I think the Battery option will be good for us. Best wishes from USA.

[@djdejanbgd]

Very good review, you actually just helped me, with this show, decide on the choice of the Mini, which will be my next car. Thanks!!!

[@AshDaviesonCars]

Glad I could help!

[@MrBMWJaguar]

Have the car for more than two months. Never put fuel in it. Most of the charging is for free, at work and shopping malls. Even with paid charging the cost is at most 30 cents per KWh, but that’s in less that 5% of the charging. Practically, I drive for free. That’s a saving of 200 euro per month. If I had a pure petrol car, that car should have cost 12.000 euro less to have the same running costs in 5 years. I’ll always buy PHEV cars from now on. The next car will be a BMW X 5 PHEV. I expect to pay a similar amount of monthly lease as I pay fom my second car, a BMW X3 plus the fuel.

[@MrBMWJaguar]

Update. I did put fuel at 2000Km. Still got a 1.4L/100Km fuel economy.

[@andyb8005]

Just get ready to spend lots of time in the BMW repair shop - neither the x5 or the x3 are known for reliability and the added EV tech just magnifies the issues.

[@marksapollo]

@@andyb8005 Are Minis reliable? Thinking about one but no idea on their reliability.

[@APLFilms1]

where u live? no chargers here

[@jasminthaflower9684]

Super helpful!

[@kelly810403]

I ordered the hybrid because of the fiscal benefits. Also for my commute.. I have a dog, baby and second on its way so I think this will be a great little family car. Great review!

[@AshDaviesonCars]

Kelly De Rycke thanks bud. Great car for a family, full of charisma. Hope you’re loving it 🙏🏻

[@DC9622]

Totally agree, it will save you loads of fuel cost. I have the 2019 version, so on green mode 24miles electric. Fuel now run in last two months, 102 miles/gallon. Overall over 6 months 85 miles/gallon. The key is to program in the destination, the computer calculates the route, and to charge at the far end for return. The 2020 version is coming with a 30 mile battery, however the present battery is around a 2 hour charge on a charge point, 4 hour three pin plug, the new car will take longer to fully charge unless they fit DC. In the U.K., it has been bought has the company car by many organisations for Tax, a lot just using the petrol and self charging so mpg is low at 50. More are coming, the iX1 uses the same platform so a full electric Countryman is likely to follow.

[@keefbrown]

If you use the Sat nav for wherever you go the range is more, it runs the battery for when you’re in town and recharges it on motorways with the regen breaking aspect. I bought mine for the BiK in the Uk. 12% instead of 30% - or over £200 per month back in my wallet. Sorted!

[@stephenpickard4120]

Nice review, and I am subscribing now. I'm really sold on the hiybrid based on driveability, quality and styling. I knew the range would be compromised in the hybrid, because that's the case on all hybrids. They aren't really practical because of that reason, or economical because they tend to cost a lot more. But the MINI and the BMW 330e, like the Outlander, are fantastic for us company car drivers that also have a fuel card. I know we are the scourge of the planet at the moment, but the fact is, BMW and Mitusbishi in particular play the numbers game and offer a low BIK and I think that's the main reason people choose these variants, until the government closes that loophole. I do wish the range was better though :-(

[@dontbanmebrodontbanme5403]

The difference in price between the EV and the gas version is small enough, especially when you take the EV tax credit into account (especially if you buy a used model) that it actually does make financial sense for many people. The average person drives about 37 miles per day in the US. If you're driving to the train station, then charging, you could drive the entire day just on battery.

[@procrastnwriter]

I own one and some things to note. The tire treads wear down quickly as it's a heavier vehicle due to the weight of the battery. There is no room for a spare tire and the run-flat tires are terrible. I am on my 6th in three years. Yes, sixth tire replacement due to their odd vulnerabilities to get a flat. It doesn't matter if you can drive on them for longer, you have to completely replace the tire and that is a problem. In fact, my winter run-flat didn't give me any notice, so often they act like your ordinary kind of tire but full replacement each time. I've opted to stop using run-flat tires.

[@LucasMartins-qf6mu]

In the hybrid mode, isnt it economical enough ? Or is it only truly economical in the full eletric ? Doenst the petrol engine charge the eletric one?

[@unclelee743]

Good review

[@barbaramayer5182]

Love ALL THE COLORS😊

[@noushindowlatshahi6221]

Bravo!

[@henrikohm]

Btw. Agree on your conclusions. Not really addressed by the usual “paid by manufacturer reviewers”.

[@TheChannel1978]

Also appreciated his viewpoint that other reviewers did not make. Spending the same amount at the pump as a regular petrol car user is a surprise.

[@PatsGarageOnline]

Does the mini have a "sport mode" like the i8 where the petrol engine charges the battery?

[@AshDaviesonCars]

It does, it’s actually the same powertrain as the i8. Charges on sport mode, but it feels like a waste of petrol doing that

[@DC9622]

Yes, if you use it the performance is consistent with the old JCW, and the breaking regeneration is stronger.

[@vincentmioc8966]

@@DC9622 Yeah performance is comparable to the old JCW but until 120 km/h. After that, the electric motor is just there to give small boosts and the performance is equivalent to a normal Cooper. I've been owning an SE for 2 years now. Just tested the new JCW (306 hp) and think I'm going to make a switch.

[@alecmally5433]

Any info on how much the car charges while driving or from regenerative braking?

[@hanshensen8660]

A very good review. Thanks! I have the same reservations about the size of the petrol tank. I have seen tests of this car where the car was driven on motorways only and the range dropped to about 300 kms! The petrol version has a standard tank of 51 litres but can be increased for a small charge to 61 litres!

[@ArunPlaysPiano]

On, say, a 200 mile road trip, would there always be juice in the battery or does that deplete pretty quickly at the start of a journey? I would want there always to be charge in the battery to get the max performance from it.

[@tomhirschel8524]

Great review! Honda Crosstar Hybrid ? NOT a plug in sight.

[@henrikohm]

In my opinion the fuel tank could be less if the battery was much bigger.

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

I have a 2019 Mini Cooper two door hatchback with 3 cylinders....it's a gem. Best car I have ever driven...I sold my Porsche 911 for it with zero regrets.

[@lolkevandewitte1713]

So you don’t recommend the hybrid because you are to lazy to plug it in every night…? Ps: Mini has enlarged the battery capacity since June ‘19 to a range of 45 to 60 km’s. So you got what you asked for😎 Nice review, by the way!

[@CandycaneBeyond]

That's odd because I have the Prius Prime and essentially it is first a Prius and second it is an electric car. I only fill up once a month and in the summer it usually lasts 3 months.

[@henrikohm]

Btw. i think 🤔 it uses the electric ⚡️ on the highway when just keeping speed???

[@MIRAISHOME000]

I got the 2016 Mini Cooper Countryman with the no Navigation her name is Lady Frostie Brownie aka Lady Frost aka Lady Lois

[@carlwhittaker2353]

I've had 6 minis but would never buy the hybrid unless it was self generating battery like Toyota which I'm considering on my next purchase

[@suyashneelambugg]

Not sure if you slightly altered your natural ease of speech delivery to suit a youtuber life. Nevertheless ... Great review in under 15mins. Very much focused on simple practical points form the checklist. Batteries are heavy and would reduce the mileage of the engine, so there will reduced all petrol performance with additional 15Lts fuel and larger batter pack. Moreover, we need hybrids to save the air in our cities. That's more than enough the reason to buy this beauty. Which city were you driving in? Was it down south of the england?

[@henrikohm]

Really nice review. Subscribing. But get a new camera and mic

[@luciocancellara4995]

Does it harm the battery to charge it if not completely empty

[@antoniocastano7701]

No, it doesn’t.

[@andyb8005]

Great video and review but how can you expect BMW to add a larger fuel tank and a larger battery without making the car larger / heavier? New battery tech to decrease weight and increase energy density are key in my mind to EVs becoming popular

[@katydid5354]

Well I was sold anyway - ordered mine last week, but now I know how well it matches a Golden Retriever I'm in love!!! (Does it come with a free one?). The one factor we all need to recognise in our own calculations is how much we care about the environment to be bothered to plug in overnight?

[@darthfigures5395]

I disagree with your perception about the plug in hybrid system. Using the vehicle in hybrid mode, not pure EV mode for the capacity of the battery, will take you much further per liter of petrol. 500 km of range on 35 liters versus 50 liters is an astounding improvement on fuel efficiency.

[@OutRAjious]

why can’t they do a non plug in hybrid like the Juke ?

[@OutRAjious]

if you have a house with garage and can charge no prob, if you live in a flat, big prob?

[@henrikohm]

Why don’t you review other than super cars also?

[@rogerwiseman8711]

Get a new pair of trousers.

[@iamu2247]

9:20 is all I needed to hear that we would have to charge the battery to make it a deal breaker. Such a shame. No regeneration of battery 🔋is the silliest thing I've seen for a hybrid.

[@Alexlegrand294]

There is a regeneration of the battery … what are you talking about ?

[@Dennie71]

If you think plugging your car in at night is a frustrating impact on your lifestyle, just wait a couple of years and the climate changes to become even worse. THAT is gonna have an impact... says someone who has been driving 3 Liter Diesel SUV for years... Believe me: I am not a climate activist, I am just a realistic adult. (who happens to switch cars from a Jag F-Pace 30d to a Mini Countryman Cooper SE and keeps his old BMW motorcycles)

[@tonybrown9875]

Good review. So smaller gas tank, irritating to charge every night and you lose that charge/money/efficiency with time and cold weather when it's just sitting on your driveway, electric prices are going way up just like gas, without gas you have a tiny engine and small fuel tank/range, and the car is loaded with batteries that are built from chemicals that are more unhealthy and damaging to the environment than gas... sounds genius... sounds like most things the n e w w o r l d o r d e r force feed us. I read over 100mpg with this hybrid, thought awesome, but really just a pile of p i s s.

[@captainbumface3595]

You should buy some new jeans.

[@SydneyDrums]

Sorry but I feel dumber after watching this video listening to someone compare 500 km pure petrol versus 500 km hybrid when you spend a lot less money to get you those 500 km

[@noname-JS]

awwww he so cute