MINI’s first gas-electric hybrid is the largest and most innovative Cooper yet.

In their physical operation and everyday practicality, plug-in hybrids are head-scratchers. So are MINI Coopers, which are a personality cult of quirky, offbeat designs. The two have finally met in the form of the four-door, all-wheel-drive MINI Countryman that was redesigned for 2017. Operating the E Countryman All4 poses significant advantages as well as glaring disadvantages. We plugged in, filled the tank, and plugged in some more. Can an expensive hybrid with limited electric range make sense, even though as a MINI, it shouldn’t need to? Well, it's complicated.