Mini Countryman vs Polestar 2 Long Range
What's the difference?

Mini Countryman

$45,900 - $80,880

2025 price

View pricing & specs

Polestar 2 Long Range

$66,400 - $87,500

2026 price

View pricing & specs

Polestar 2 Long Range

Polestar 2 Standard Range

Summary

2025 Mini Countryman

2026 Polestar 2 Long Range

By Emily Agar

By Jack Quick

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Inline 4, 2.0L

0.0L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Electric

Fuel Efficiency

7.7L/100km (combined)

0.0L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Gorgeous Mini styling
Strong on-road performance
Lots of personalisation available

Fun and agile to drive
More efficient and quicker charging
Amazing (yet optional) Bowers & Wilkins sound system

Dislikes

Lacking a few features for a top-grade model
An expensive endeavour for a Mini
Not much separates the two trim levels

Cabin space and storage still compromised
Options add up quick
No cover for panoramic glass roof

2025 Mini Countryman Summary

The Mini Countryman is the not-so-mini cousin to the iconic and smaller Mini Cooper.

The new generation offers a larger body-size, fun new interiors and a whole suite of updated technology.

We're in the flagship John Cooper Works grade in Favoured trim to find out if this small SUV is still urban-friendly and fun after all of these changes.

View full pricing & specs

2026 Polestar 2 Long Range Summary

The Polestar 2 was one of the first electric vehicles (EVs) in Australia to break through to the mainstream, however it has always been relegated to the Tesla Model 3’s shadow.

As a result Polestar is constantly playing catch up, releasing update after update for this premium-pushing electric liftback. The most notable was a major mid-life update in 2024.

Two years after this, Polestar has just rolled out the 2026 model year (MY26) update which introduces a range of subtle changes, largely under the surface.

It comes as Polestar is now introducing newer models, there’s mounting pressure from legacy carmakers who are only now catching up to EV tech, and Australians are moving away from buying passenger cars to SUVs.

Has this latest update improved the appeal? Read on to find out.

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2025 Mini Countryman 2026 Polestar 2 Long Range

Verdict

The new Mini Countryman John Cooper Works in Favoured trim offers everything you’d expect it to - the iconic Mini styling, a powerful driving performance and a well-equipped cabin. It’s a wonderfully quick urban dweller that you can park anywhere but is just as happy on the open-road. For me, this is pure fun and offers more personality than a lot of its rivals.

Verdict

This latest update for the Polestar 2 is lovely, but driving the original is a reminder of how solid this car has always been if you overlook the inherent impracticalities of being an EV on a combustion-engine platform.

The fact you still get steady flow of over-the-air software updates bringing new features, plus you can now upgrade to the new Qualcomm processor chip, saving some coin and getting a second-hand model that’s a couple of years old isn’t a bad option at all.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with meals provided.

Mini Countryman vs Polestar 2 Long Range What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Mini Countryman vs Polestar 2 Long Range
What's the difference?