A MINI on a mountain trail full of granite sounds like the setup for a joke. The 2027 MINI Countryman Untamed is the brand’s first real attempt at making that idea work. An early drive on a steep course above Lake Tahoe showed it can climb farther than its cheerful badge suggests. It also showed exactly where the hardware runs out.
- US Untamed models get a 0.6-inch lift, Pirelli all-terrain tires and a 3,500-pound hitch as standard.
- The S ALL4 cleared steep, rocky terrain, but its plastic underbody guards are the weak spot.
- On pavement, the Untamed rides firmer and sounds louder than a regular Countryman.
What MINI Changed for the Untamed
The Untamed is an edition package for the current Countryman, and it isn’t a limited run. In the US, it comes on two versions. One is the gas Countryman S ALL4 with 241 horsepower, and the other is the electric SE ALL4 with 308 horsepower. Both get a 15 mm lift, roughly 0.6 inches, which adds up to 0.75 inches of ground clearance. That works out to 8.75 inches on the S ALL4 and 8.15 inches on the SE.
The lift comes from longer dampers paired with the standard springs, and there’s a single setting you can’t adjust. The tires are 245/45 R19 Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus units developed for this edition. MINI also retuned the ABS, stability control and steering to suit the extra height and chunkier tread. The brand says approach and breakover angles improved, but it hasn’t released the figures. A factory hitch rated for 3,500 pounds is standard on US cars.
Why American Buyers Get the Fullest Package
North America is the only region where every Untamed comes with ALL4, the lift and the all-terrain tires. In the UK, only the electric SE gets the lift. Mainland Europe limits it to the electric E and SE ALL4. So US shoppers get the most complete version, and that includes the gas model.
The S ALL4 Untamed starts at $43,900 before destination, or $45,250 with it. Pricing for the SE ALL4 hasn’t been announced. Production begins at MINI’s Leipzig plant in November, and the first cars should reach US dealers around January.
The Untamed also gets edition-specific exterior trim, protective matte film and five-spoke wheels. Inside, rock-patterned knit fabrics reinforce the outdoor theme.
How It Fared on a Rough Lake Tahoe Trail
MINI’s course at Twin Peaks above Lake Tahoe opened with a climb on loose dirt, and the S ALL4 made easy work of it. Traction held up as long as the car kept its speed, and the quick steering made it simple to place the tires as the surface changed. The retuned systems kept the ALL4 tires digging in instead of cutting power at the first slip.
Then the course got steep, with big rocks, granite slabs and deep holes. The Untamed often hung a wheel in the air. With no low-range gearbox or locking differentials, it leaned on traction control to keep moving. It made it through, though tight clearances left little room for error. The front and rear skid plates are plastic and only lightly reworked, and the bottom of the front bumper is the first thing to touch on steep approaches. That’s the weakest link, and anyone trying similar terrain should accept some risk of damage.
Living With It on Pavement
Back on the road, you pay for the trail ability. The ride is stiffer and less comfortable than a regular Countryman, with a bit more lean in corners and softer turn-in. The cabin is louder too, though never intrusive. On the plus side, the tire profile sends more feel through the steering wheel, on and off the road.
A roughly $5,000 Autohome roof tent is planned as a dealer accessory. Check roof-load limits and garage clearance before adding one.
Match the Untamed to the Trails You Actually Drive
The Countryman Untamed is a capable first try at an off-road MINI, especially in its well-equipped US form. It handles dirt, sand and moderate rock with more confidence than most people would expect from the brand. Its limits come from modest hardware. It has plastic guards, no low range, no lockers and tires with short sidewalls. If your weekends lean toward forest roads and campsites, it makes a lot of sense. If you’re eyeing serious rock, pick your lines carefully and think about extra underbody protection. Metal skid plates and taller tires would be the obvious next step for MINI.
This post may contain affiliate links. Meaning a commission is given should you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no cost to you. All products shown are researched and tested to give an accurate review for you.
