2027 Mini Countryman Ditches Cute for Rugged With Untamed Edition

Mini has long been the brand you turn to when you want something playful and small, but the company is now steering its Countryman crossover in a decidedly more muscular direction. The 2027 Countryman S Untamed Edition swaps the marque’s usual charm offensive for trail-ready posturing, bundling a lifted suspension, chunky all-terrain rubber, and a heavy dose of cosmetic attitude into a single range-topping trim.

The mechanical changes are modest but real. Mini fits the Untamed Edition with Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus tires mounted on 19-inch light-alloy wheels exclusive to this variant. Combined with a 15-millimeter suspension lift, the setup yields 19 millimeters (0.75 inches) more ground clearance than a standard all-wheel-drive Countryman, bringing total clearance to roughly 8.75 inches. For context, that places it in the same neighborhood as a standard Subaru Crosstrek — plenty for the sort of light off-roading most owners will actually encounter, even if it falls well short of a true rock crawler.

Protection comes from new side sills and front and rear underbody elements finished in Dark Steel, along with textured protective films applied to the wheel arches, side sills, and hood. Buyers should not mistake these for the heavy-duty cladding found on dedicated off-roaders; they are lighter-duty measures that nonetheless help fend off stone chips and stuffing, with the hood film also offering a marginal reduction in glare. It is fair to read much of the package as appearance-focused, right down to the trim-specific badging and cabin touches. Mini does add some substance, though: an optional trailer hitch enables up to 3,500 pounds of towing, and roof rails come standard, rated for 165 pounds underway and 660 pounds when parked — a figure that matters because Mini has partnered with Autohome on a Countryman-specific rooftop tent, while Helinox supplies matching camping furniture. All of those accessories are purchased separately, a strategy that fits a brand already accustomed to selling customers on colors, trims, and special editions.

Powertrain-wise, nothing changes. The Untamed Edition carries the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder as the Countryman S ALL4, producing 241 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, routed to all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Pricing starts at $45,250 including destination, about $5,000 above the base trim. Because Comfort Package Plus and various tech and audio upgrades are included by default, Mini effectively charges roughly $1,600 for the lifted suspension, the aggressive tires, the modest underbody protection, and the extensive styling package. Everything else can be had on a reasonably optioned Countryman S ALL4. Production begins in March.

Mini has confirmed that an Untamed Edition of the electric Countryman SE will follow, though pricing and specifics are still being finalized; expectations point to a similar feature set with a premium of just under $2,000 on an EV already around $50,000 in Iconic trim with Comfort Package Plus. Paint choices for the gasoline version are limited to trim-exclusive Hideaway Grey, matte Frozen Nomad Blue, Nanuq White, and Midnight Black. The move reflects a broader industry tilt toward aggressive styling and rugged positioning, which commands higher margins than conventional passenger cars — even as a handful of brands begin moving the other way to stand out.