Mini doesn't have an off-road vehicle, but that may change. Mini America Vice President Michael Petyon recently said CarBuzz that an off-road Countryman is coming soon. It’s not a full confirmation, but it does suggest that Mini is at least thinking about a version for exploring off-road.
There are plenty of reasons why Mini would make such a model. If nothing else, buyers seem to prefer SUVs with a little more aggression, even if their actual off-road capabilities are minimal. Vehicles like the Chevrolet Traverse and Honda Pilot have recently undergone surgery to get truly rugged makeovers, and most brands offer some sort of off-road-focused trim with their SUVs. The Subaru Forester Wilderness immediately comes to mind, so a Mini Countryman with off-road-themed enhancements seems logical, if not inevitable.
If an off-road Countryman does come to fruition, it probably won’t be what you’re expecting. It’s worth remembering that Mini has a very long history in stage rallying. The original Cooper was hugely popular in the early days of the sport, and the modern Mini entered the WRC—albeit briefly—in 2011 with the Countryman. Rather than something with hill-descent control and big off-road tires, a rally-themed version with extra ground clearance and a wing could be the way to go. Maybe a take on last year’s Countryman All4 Uncharted Edition?
Whatever the case, we can only speculate at this point. Mini has not responded to our request for comment, but the new Countryman is a great starting point for something more suited to off-road adventures. The 2025 model now comes standard with all-wheel drive, and there’s 241 horsepower from the base 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Add a few inches to the suspension, throw on some skid plates, and Well that's itYou have an off-road Mini.
We will update this post if we get more information on the subject.
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