It’s always fun to see what EVs attract the most viewers so we’ll end the year with a roundup of the Top 10 videos produced this year on EV Rider, based on viewership. 

Number 10: Kia EV6

Coming in at number ten, Kia enthusiasts were obviously excited that the EV6 was getting a mid-cycle refresh for the 2025 model year.  

Among the improvements: A jump in range to more than 330 miles per charge for the rear-wheel drive version and a new front end that includes daytime running lights and an LED light bar. 

Number 9: Model 3

Tesla’s Model 3 also got a mild-overhaul, which generated lots of interest as the ninth most watched video. Commonly referred to as the Highland edition, the latest Model 3 includes an upgraded interior, quieter cabin, and revised exterior styling. 

Number 8: Karma Kaveya & Gyesera

Karma is finally showing off new EVs after being reincarnated from the ashes of the first Fisker car company to go out of business. EV Rider was possibly the first media outlet to post video of the unveiling of the Kaveya and Gyesera EVs at the 2024 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, along with design summaries from former GM design chief Ed Welburn and Karma President Marques McCammon. Neither car has made it onto the production line yet. 

Number 7: Eli Zero Micro EV

Coming in at number 7, EV Rider viewers were obviously excited about the possibility of a $12,000 micro EV called the Eli Zero. When we interviewed  U.S. head of operations James Seargent  II, he predicted this tiny EV that’s meant for neighborhoods, urban cores and campuses would be on sale in the U.S. by the end of 2024. 

Although the Eli is on sale overseas, so far there’s no indication that the Zero will make it to American shores as soon as originally forecast. 

Number 6: Vinfast VF8

 A new entry that has made it to the U.S. is coming on strong if EV Rider video views are any indication of interest. The Vinfast VF8 road test that debuted several weeks ago is quickly climbing the viewership ladder. 

And why not? The car company from Vietnam could well end up being the next Kia when it comes to success stories. Formed in 2017, Vinfast already has a full model line-up, including the VF8 SUV EV. 

It appears Vinfast also appeals to high-tech viewers. The 3D spatial version of the VF8 road test was the number one EV Rider video for immersive virtual reality headsets like Meta Quests and Apple Vision Pros. 

Number 5: MINI Countryman All4 EV

MINI fans have something to cheer about with the arrival of the all-new Countryman ALL4 EV. It’s a huge step forward over the last-gen Cooper SE EV and given Americans tend to like bigger vehicles, it’s likely to sell better than MINI’s last EV to be imported to the U.S. 

Number 4: Fisker Ocean

Coming in at number four is an EV manufacturer that flamed out in 2024 after appearing to have a bright future in 2023. 

The second incarnation of Fisker declared bankruptcy in 2024, but not before delivering thousands of Oceans that thrilled many owners before the bad news hit. It’s a shame. Fisker’s Ocean was a nicely styled entry. 

Number 3: 2025 Zero Motorcycles Lineup

EV Rider’s motorcycling audience paid a lot of attention to Zero Motorcycle’s expanded 2025 lineup. The California-based company debuted two new models in the low end of the market: the XB and XE. Both are lightweight, off-road dirt bikes, although they are street legal in some parts of the world.  

Zero also showed off it’s Neutrino concept, which could shake up the market currently dominated by Honda’s Grom. 

Number 2: 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe

The number two video produced in 2024 shows just how popular Jeep is despite stumbles by its parent company Stellantis this year. Our long-term road test of a 2021 Wrangler Rubicon 4xe plug-in hybrid was the most watched video produced during 2024. 

Number 1: Canoo

And the number one video with more than 40,000 video views at last check was EV startup Canoo’s first quarter earnings call. Canoo actually had two videos produced in 2024 hit the top 10, likely driven by investor interest.

Canoo has been burning through cash and still hasn’t managed to reach any sort of meaningful production numbers despite having a multi-billion dollar order book that includes high-profile customers like Walmart. 

At the time of this post Canoo had idled it’s Oklahoma factory and had furloughed more than 80 employees to conserve cash, saying it is “in talks with various capital sources.”  

In an effort to to get back into NASDAQ compliance and prop its stock price back up, it announced a 1-for-20 reverse stock split effective December 24. 

2025 will likely be the sink or swim year for Canoo. 

Happy New Year to all of you. Here’s hoping 2025 will be the best year yet. 

The post Top 10 EV Rider Videos Of 2024 appeared first on EV Rider.

MINI is upping its game in the EV arena. 

In the video above you’ll see the brand new 2025 Countryman SE ALL4 next to a 2021 Cooper SE EV. MINI’s made quite a few advancements over the last five years, since the last MINI EV debuted. 

Let’s start with the old Cooper SE’s biggest disadvantage, its range. The 2025 Countryman has an estimated range of up to 212 miles, which is close to double what its older sibling is capable of. 

Post your MINI Countryman comments or questions here.

The good news doesn’t stop there. MINI has practically tripled the Countryman’s charging speed as compared to the old Cooper. The Countryman SE has a peak rated DC charging speed of 130 kW. That’s fast enough to take it from 10 to 80% in 29 minutes in ideal conditions. At home it can AC charge at up to 11 kW. 

_{Got VR? This episode is also available in 3D on YouTube VR.}

The Countryman is MINI’s biggest EV so unlike the outgoing 2-door Cooper EV, there’s plenty of room in back for two additional passengers, or you could fit three across in pinch. 

For MINI fans another jump forward is up front where the primary center screen has been replaced with the auto industry’s first fully round OLED display. 

But just because MINI has embraced the digital age doesn’t mean it’s forgotten about its heritage. Just like the classic Minis we all remember; the Countryman can display a very retro looking speedometer.

Unlike those old analog MINIs, the redesigned 2025 models have a ton of additional tricks. And, after all these years MINI has finally embraced wireless Android Auto in addition to Apple Car Play. 

The Countryman EV is a software powerhouse that includes multiplayer video gaming and the ability to stream your favorite TV shows via Pluto TV. 

Up to 50 third party apps are currently available. So when you’re on a road trip with a few spare minutes at a charging station there will be plenty of multimedia fun available, including support for two player gaming, using your smartphones as controllers.

The gauge cluster display is highly configurable thanks to different driving modes: Green, Vivid, Core, Timeless, Balance, and a customizable mode called personal. 

Perhaps best of all, Mini has fully embraced its best-known handling trait with a mode called Go-Kart. 

The electric Countryman fills your senses with a variety of fun sounds depending on what mode you choose. If you don’t like any of them, you turn the sound effects off. 

One thing some fans may miss is the outgoing Mini’s gauge cluster above the steering wheel. But that probably won’t be missed by many since all U.S. Countryman EVs have a heads-up display for 2025 along with that huge center readout. 
 

The Mini Cooper S has also been redesigned for 2025 but the EV version currently isn’t expected to be available in the states until 2026 at the earliest.  

It’s likely to come to the U.S. once Mini’s Oxford plant is retooled to start cranking out electric 2-door Coopers again. Right now the 2025 EV MINI Cooper SE is built in China, although the 2025 gas Coopers continue to be built in the U.K. 

MINI has been developing EVs for a longer period of time than most people probably realize. It’s first publicly available EV was the extremely limited production MINI E, which was built between 2009-2010.

Back to the Countryman SE, thanks to all-wheel-drive it should be fine when the weather gets sketchy. For nicer days the Countryman includes an opening sunroof here in the U.S.  

Once you get it out on the road that famous Mini go-cart handling makes the transition to the bigger EV just fine in moderate conditions, although the suspension is tuned a bit more softly than the Cooper, meaning it does a better jobs of soaking up the bumps. Due to its larger size and weight it’s not quite as sharp in the corners, but for an SUV it’s quite responsive.

The Countryman has all the tech goodies drivers have come to expect; including lane assist, adaptive cruise control and parking assist. 

The Countryman SE ALL4 starts at $45,200 and is very well equipped so you should be able to get it out the door in the low 50s.  

When it comes to storage you’ll find plenty of nooks and crannies; including wireless charging, a center console, glove box and side pockets.  

There’s no front trunk as many EVs have but out back it’s got up to 56-cubic-feet of storage with the rear seats folded. 

Our AWD dual motor Countryman has 308 horsepower and 364 lb-ft of torque, making it good for a 5.4 second 0-60 mph run, according to MINI.

For driving impressions, a full tour of the interior and more, be sure to watch the video at the top of this post.

A big shoutout goes to the Tom Bush family of dealerships in Jacksonville for loaning out our slate blue Countryman SE ALL4. 

The post Countryman SE ALL4 Elevates MINI’s EV Game appeared first on EV Rider.