BMW I3S VS MINI WITH A LONG NAME | FULLY CHARGED

EV Channels Review

The Fully Charged review pits the BMW i3s against the MINI Countryman Cooper S All4 E PHEV, highlighting their shared BMW Group heritage but vastly different approaches to electrification. The i3s, a four-year-old ground-up EV, is praised for its still-futuristic design, innovative use of sustainable materials, and engaging driving dynamics, particularly the 's' model's sportier suspension and wider track. Despite a relatively short range (144 miles for the REx version) and a firm ride, its engineering and driving experience are lauded, with the reviewer considering it a future classic. In contrast, the MINI Countryman is presented as a more conventional plug-in hybrid, adapted from a petrol car. While offering a larger, more practical package and alleviating range anxiety with its petrol engine, its design is criticized as bloated and uninspired, and its electrification feels like a compromise. The reviewer ultimately favors the i3s for its pure EV focus and driving engagement, though acknowledges the Countryman's broader appeal to those seeking practicality and brand loyalty over radical design and driving purity. A Golf GTE is suggested as a more complete package than the MINI.