MINI Prices Rugged Countryman at $49,990 — Electric Version Costs $14,700 More

MINI is taking its largest model farther off the pavement with the new 2027 Countryman Untamed Edition, and Canadian buyers will have two distinctly priced ways to get there. The gasoline-powered Countryman S ALL4 Untamed starts at $49,990, while the all-electric Countryman SE ALL4 Untamed begins at $64,690—a $14,700 difference before taxes.

Both versions receive more than an outdoors-inspired appearance package. MINI has added a suspension lift, all-terrain tires, revised chassis calibrations and extra protective elements intended to make the Countryman more capable away from smooth pavement. The electric model brings considerably more power and quicker acceleration, but its higher purchase price—and potentially limited access to government rebates—makes the decision more complicated than simply choosing between gasoline and electricity.

The $14,700 Gap Is Bigger Than on the Regular Countryman

MINI Canada’s dedicated Untamed page confirms a $49,990 starting MSRP for the Countryman S ALL4 Untamed Edition and $64,690 for the Countryman SE ALL4 Untamed. That puts exactly $14,700 between the two versions, making the electric model almost 30% more expensive than the gasoline version before taxes. MINI’s displayed all-inclusive starting prices also preserve the same $14,700 gap, although fees can vary with location and the final transaction.

The interesting comparison is with the regular 2027 Countryman lineup. MINI currently lists the standard Countryman S ALL4 at $46,290 and the regular electric SE ALL4 at $59,990. That means the Untamed treatment adds $3,700 over the regular gasoline model and $4,700 over the regular SE. The normal gasoline-to-electric difference is $13,700, so choosing Untamed widens that divide by another $1,000. For Canadians primarily interested in the rugged hardware rather than the electric powertrain, the S ALL4 therefore enters at a substantially lower price while retaining the core Untamed modifications.

This Is More Than a Cosmetic Adventure Package

Rugged editions sometimes amount to little more than darker trim, unique wheels and a few badges. MINI has gone further with the Untamed. Every Canadian-market version receives a 15-millimetre suspension lift. Combined with the edition-specific wheel-and-tire package, MINI says total ground-clearance improvement can reach 19 millimetres. The company has also recalibrated the anti-lock braking system, dynamic stability control and steering to work with the changed suspension and specially developed Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus tires.

Those tires ride on exclusive 19-inch Untamed Edition wheels, while Hill Descent Control and Drive-off Support are intended to help when navigating steeper or slippery terrain. The latter provides additional assistance when pulling away at low speeds on surfaces such as snow, ice or sand. Both Canadian powertrains use MINI’s ALL4 all-wheel-drive system. The modifications do not turn the Countryman into an extreme off-road machine, but they represent functional changes that can matter on cottage roads, rough campsites, snow-covered approaches and unpaved recreational routes—exactly the type of use MINI is emphasizing with the new edition.

Buyers Are Paying for a Significant Power Difference Too

The electric Countryman’s additional $14,700 does not simply replace a gasoline engine with a battery. MINI’s current Canadian specifications show the standard Countryman S ALL4 producing 241 horsepower from its turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The all-electric Countryman SE ALL4 delivers 308 horsepower through its dual-motor all-wheel-drive system, giving it a 67-horsepower advantage. MINI quotes a 6.5-second run from zero to 100 km/h for the regular S ALL4 and 5.6 seconds for the SE ALL4.

That nine-tenths-of-a-second difference gives the electric version a substantially stronger performance case on pavement, particularly during low-speed acceleration where electric motors can deliver torque without waiting for an engine or transmission to respond. MINI has not published separate Canadian acceleration figures for the lifted Untamed variants, so the existing numbers should be viewed as specifications for the underlying powertrains rather than a promise that the all-terrain editions will reproduce every regular-model performance figure exactly. What is clear is that buyers choosing the SE receive considerably more power alongside the electric drivetrain.

The Electric Version Brings Up to 348 Kilometres of Range

MINI currently advertises up to 348 kilometres of maximum range for the Canadian Countryman SE ALL4. The electric model uses a battery of roughly 66 kWh and supports DC fast charging, with MINI saying a 10-to-80% charge can take as little as approximately 30 minutes at a suitable public fast charger. A compatible home wallbox can fully recharge the vehicle in about eight hours, according to MINI’s current guidance.

One detail remains unresolved for the Untamed specifically. MINI has not announced a separate Canadian driving-range rating for the new off-road-oriented model. The suspension lift, all-terrain tires and revised setup distinguish it from the regular SE ALL4 on which the current 348-kilometre figure is based. It would therefore be premature to assume the Untamed will deliver exactly the same rated range until MINI or Natural Resources Canada publishes model-specific numbers. For someone considering weekend trips well beyond major charging corridors, that eventual figure could be just as important as the extra horsepower. The gasoline S, by contrast, avoids charging stops but carries MINI’s current combined fuel-consumption figure of 8.7 L/100 km for the regular model.

The Federal EV Rebate Is a Major Complication

A $64,690 electric MINI might seem like a candidate for an EV purchase incentive, but Canada’s current federal program has become much more price-sensitive. Under the Electric Vehicle Affordability Program, a vehicle not built in Canada generally needs a final transaction value of $50,000 or less to qualify. The Countryman is assembled at BMW Group Plant Leipzig in Germany, meaning the Canadian-built exemption from that $50,000 ceiling does not apply.

At its announced MSRP, the Untamed SE sits $14,690 above the federal transaction-value limit even before considering applicable vehicle-related charges. A sufficiently large manufacturer or dealer discount can count toward reducing the qualifying transaction value, but buyers should not assume the Untamed will receive a federal rebate merely because it is electric. MINI has deliberately introduced a different solution for incentive-conscious customers: the 2027 Countryman SE ALL4 Elementary Edition starts at $49,990 and appears on Transport Canada’s eligible-vehicle list. In effect, MINI now has one electric Countryman aimed at affordability and another aimed at adventure equipment, with a substantial pricing gulf between them.

Quebec Buyers Face an Awkward Timing Problem

The Untamed SE’s $64,690 MSRP falls just below Quebec’s current $65,000 MSRP ceiling for its Roulez vert program, which might initially look promising. In 2026, eligible new battery-electric vehicles can receive up to $2,000 from the provincial government. The difficulty is timing. Quebec’s government currently says Roulez vert will end on December 31, 2026, and eligibility is determined by the date the vehicle is registered—not when it was ordered or when a deposit was paid.

MINI, meanwhile, says Canadian deliveries of the Countryman Untamed are expected to begin in early 2027. Under the policies currently published, that means a Quebec buyer receiving an Untamed after December 31 would receive no Roulez vert vehicle-purchase rebate, even if the order or reservation had been placed during 2026. The government retains the ability to change program rules, so conditions should be checked again when vehicles actually arrive. Still, the existing timelines show why advertised EV incentives cannot automatically be deducted from a future model’s MSRP when comparing it with the gasoline alternative.

It Has Some Serious Weekend-Adventure Numbers

The Untamed’s outdoor pitch extends beyond its tires and raised suspension. MINI says an optional trailer hitch gives the model a maximum towing capacity of 1,587 kilograms, or approximately 3,500 pounds. Its roof is rated to carry as much as 75 kilograms while the vehicle is moving and as much as 300 kilograms while stationary. The higher stationary limit is particularly relevant because MINI has partnered with Italian manufacturer AUTOHOME to offer a roof tent designed for the Countryman.

The tent is a separate accessory rather than part of the $49,990 starting price. MINI says it uses a fibreglass-reinforced shell, weather-resistant materials and integrated gas struts that allow it to open quickly. The manufacturer has also partnered with HELINOX on camping chairs and tables designed to accompany the Untamed theme. These details make clear what MINI sees as the target customer: not necessarily someone rock-crawling deep in the wilderness, but someone carrying bikes, camping equipment, trailers or other recreational gear. A household using one vehicle for weekday commuting and weekend escapes is central to the Countryman’s positioning.

The Design Changes Make the Untamed Easy to Spot

MINI has also made sure the tougher mechanical specification does not disappear visually. The Untamed receives a redesigned front grille with vertical elements, Dark Steel exterior accents and underbody-protection pieces, plus textured matte-black protective films around vulnerable areas including the wheel arches, side sills and bonnet. The protective material is intended to help limit damage from stone chips while reinforcing the visual connection to more traditional off-road vehicles.

The colour palette leans heavily into the same theme. Hideaway Grey and Nomad Blue are among the edition-specific finishes, while Frozen Nomad Blue will become MINI’s first matte paint offered in series production when it becomes available from March 2027 production. Inside, Nightshade Blue Vescin JCW Sport Seats combine with knitted material inspired by rock formations. Dark Steel replaces the brighter trim found elsewhere in the range, while Cornflower Blue details appear around the steering wheel. Even the centre-console storage box adopts elastic retaining straps reminiscent of outdoor bags. It is deliberately playful, but the protective surfaces and washable elements also have practical value after muddy trips.

MINI Is Turning Its Biggest Model Into a Different Kind of MINI

The Countryman has grown far beyond the proportions associated with the original MINI formula. The current generation is approximately 13 centimetres longer and six centimetres taller than its predecessor, giving MINI more room to position it as a genuine family crossover rather than simply an enlarged hatchback. The cabin offers five seats, while the regular Countryman’s rear seatbacks split 40:20:40 and cargo volume can extend from roughly 450 litres to 1,450 litres under the European measurement cited by BMW.

That growth makes the Untamed concept easier to understand. A lifted, all-terrain version of a tiny city-focused MINI would have limited practical appeal, but today’s Countryman already serves as the brand’s most utility-oriented model. MINI is effectively stretching that role further, giving buyers an alternative to adventure-themed compact crossovers while preserving features such as the circular OLED centre display and recognizable MINI interior design. It also avoids forcing customers into one powertrain: the same basic adventure theme is available with gasoline or battery-electric propulsion, allowing lifestyle and drivetrain choices to remain separate.

The Price Question Ultimately Comes Down to How It Will Be Used

The gasoline model has a powerful financial argument at the dealership. A $14,700 head start is substantial, particularly when the Untamed SE may not qualify for the federal purchase incentive at its announced price. The S ALL4 also avoids questions about charging availability on remote trips. For someone who drives relatively few kilometres each year or regularly travels into areas with limited charging infrastructure, recovering that initial electric premium through lower energy expenses alone could take a long time.

The electric model has a different equation. Natural Resources Canada notes that electric motors convert stored energy to motion much more efficiently than combustion drivetrains and says electricity can cost significantly less per kilometre than gasoline, although real savings vary by local electricity prices, charging habits and fuel costs. The SE also offers 308 horsepower, quicker acceleration and zero tailpipe emissions during operation. Buyers able to charge cheaply at home and accumulate substantial annual mileage could offset more of the upfront difference over time. Ultimately, the Untamed creates an unusually clean comparison: similar rugged equipment, the same basic body and the same adventure mission—but two very different ways of paying for and powering it.

Production Starts Soon, but Canadian Deliveries Come in 2027

BMW Group plans to begin production of the Countryman Untamed Edition at its Leipzig plant in November 2026, with the global launch and Canadian deliveries scheduled for early 2027. MINI Canada is already accepting reservations. The reservation requires a $500 deposit, which the company says is fully refundable and does not create an obligation to complete the purchase.

There is another important piece of fine print. MINI states that paying the reservation fee does not guarantee allocation, delivery timing or a particular final selling price. Retailers remain responsible for final pricing and delivery terms. That makes the announced $49,990 and $64,690 starting MSRPs useful benchmarks rather than guaranteed drive-away figures for every vehicle. As production approaches, Canadian specifications such as the Untamed SE’s official range and any additional package choices should provide a clearer picture. For now, MINI has established the most important number: buyers wanting the same rugged Countryman concept with electric power will enter the discussion $14,700 above the gasoline model.

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