Any issue with the MINI Countryman's climate controls?
The question
What do you think of the circular screen in the 2026 MINI Countryman E? Did you find it a fiddle to use, especially the heating/climate controls?
People are reporting issues with the software; have you heard about this? The fact that almost every function happens through this worries me as a potential purchaser of this car.
Thank you!
Asked by Caroline Chalk ·
Expert answer
Hi Caroline,
While we do like the design of the circular screen in the MINI, we're not fans of any car in which nearly all the functions are accessible only via a touchscreen. This is a safety issue as much as it is a worry about things going wrong in the future.
And yes, there have been reports of issues with the MINI's screen, though nothing massively worrying and no more so than any other car with such a system. Over-the-air updates will no doubt sort that out in time.
Nonetheless, if you're serious about buying the Countryman, try to spend as long as you can test-driving it and specifically using the infotainment system to see if you can get on with it.
Do let us know what you decide, either way.
Answered by Shane O' Donoghue