MINI John Cooper Works Countryman Review
04 Feb 2025|4,426 views
What We Like
Distinct and bold styling
Plentiful power
Surprisingly pliant ride with its adaptive suspension
Handles well; good grip levels
Doubles up remarkably as a practical and spacious family car
What We Dislike
Steering could use a bit more weight and quickness
Cockpit doesn’t feel exceptionally driver-focused
It's 11:30pm and the neighbours are all getting ready to sleep - but what awaits at your carpark is a special, not-so-little machine eager to get on the road again, barely a few hours after you've returned home from dinner.
Instead of settling in downwards, however, the car's raised height means you sort of just… step up and slide inwards into the driver's seat. And instead of a conventional 'Start' button, your left hand reaches towards what appears to be a permanently-affixed key fob. Foot on the brake pedal, firm twist, and the engine burbles joyously to life as a head-up display slowly raises to attention.
Only one final step is left: A couple of upwards nudges on a lever titled 'Experiences'. As the circular screen goes red and black, the exhaust note grows angrier still.
No one will be mistaking the JCW Countryman from the non-performance Countrymans (or Countrymen?) with its racier styling
Given how quickly MINI seems to be embracing electric cars - and also the remarkable results it has reaped while en-route - one could be forgiven for momentarily forgetting that combustion power still forms an important pillar for the brand.
Perhaps sensing this danger, the all-new MINI John Cooper Works Countryman works doubly hard to make its presence felt.
Much has already been made about the growth spurt of this generation, so beating that dead horse no longer has value. Here, one's attention is involuntarily drawn to how clearly this JCW Countryman sets itself apart from the rest of the pack.
Chilli red accents, and smoky black badging and lettering are already hallmarks of any John Cooper Works model. But writ large on the Countryman's heftier body, the effect feels even more pronounced than before.
Scorching red brake callipers and circular quad exhausts further clue you in to the reality that this is no ordinary Countryman
Other elements dial the heat up further: Scorching red brake callipers, John Cooper Works emblems pinned all over, and delicious circular quad exhausts framing the car's rear bumper. The average MINI is already not famed for subtlety, but the JCW Countryman effortlessly outclasses its fellow Countrymen in terms of drama with these touches.
Even the staggered strips on its rims - which resemble a racing flag - call for your attention. If one takes it that performance SUVs should thrive on (befuddling) theatrics, this one easily hits the mark.
Given the rather drastic overhaul that current MINI interiors have been given (read: lots of fabric, plus one massive circular iPad), the JCW Countryman does a commendable job at making its sporting intentions clear on the inside.
A brooding black is the overwhelming aesthetic, but not without a flurry of red clawing back some visibility. These manifest as vertical lashes on the dashboard, as stitching across the sports seats and steering wheel; as the primary colour of the latter's fabric "third spoke", and on the pull handle of the central storage box.
Amidst these familiar JCW-trappings, the JCW Countryman - like its non-performance siblings - continues to charm with its offbeat interior design.
Uninitiated folks taking their first ride in a modern MINI are likely to still be charmed - and still be overwhelmed - by the unorthodox rounded infotainment screen and its expanse of menus. Once familiarity is reached, however, appreciation starts to set in for the fact that the JCW Countryman has taken a bold and different tack from the many compact SUVs on the market.
A spacious rear bench and relatively flat floor mean that three average-sized adults can sit abreast quite comfortably in the JCW Countryman's second row
Furthermore, it is when one ponders the key qualities of a performance SUV that this current car clearly sets itself ahead of its predecessors.
Previous iterations of the JCW Countryman were a bit murkier in their visions: Not exactly purist machines, given their weight and height, yet also not fully-realised as family cars (in other words, big-ish but not quite big enough).
Now, however, the latter box has been ticked. The car's rear bench will quite easily accommodate three average-sized Asian adults (and is made to feel airier with that large panoramic roof), and while its 470-litre boot isn't class-leading, it's definitely large enough for golf bags and weekly shopping.
The fact that the second row has a 40:20:40 split aids its versatility, too; knock all three pieces flat and the space expands to a maximum of 1,450 litres.
Not eager to give in to electric motors and batteries just yet, under the rounded hood of the JCW Countryman lies its beating heart: A turbocharged 2.0-litre inline-four engine, capable of putting out 296bhp and 400Nm of torque.
What its exhaust note may lack in fullness, it more than makes up for in unadulterated volume - at least by the standards of a compact-ish performance crossover anyway. Even in 'Core' (MINI-speak for the 'Normal' driving mode), the JCW Countryman does not shy away from telling the driver it has plenty to give.
Flick the JCW Countryman into Go-Kart mode for maximum pleasure: With meatier steering, and heightened throttle response
You'll want to flick it into Go-Kart for maximum pleasure, though. There's just the slightest lag when you put your foot down - but otherwise, the Countryman is raring to go, punching forward with unbridled glee as it hunts down the next rearview mirror to poke its cheerful face into. While that seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is quite adept at matching where the driver's mind is at, the edge in responsiveness from those paddle shifters also means one invariably finds their fingers being put through a workout.
Surprisingly, the fact that the JCW Countryman gets adaptive suspension - specifically tuned for its badge - means that the ride feels more settled than on the Countryman SE we drove, even if it (rightfully) tends more towards firmness.
Its resultant versatility is easy to appreciate. Driven more leisurely, its pliancy and general size help it pass handily as a comfortable family car. Driven as if running late for the reunion dinner on Lunar New Year's Eve, the JCW Countryman brings itself up to pace with a devilish grin.
Considering its raised ride height, body roll is contained commendably (though one should take any 'go-kart handling' taglines with a handful of salt). Meanwhile, grip levels with the car's all-wheel drive and on those P Zeros are good - meaning you can carry speed into corners fairly confidently.
The hug-you-tight quality of its front sports seats and chunkiness of its steering wheel are but added bonuses that egg a driver on, even as the three passengers on the rear bench are squeezed too close for comfort, leftwards and rightwards. Speaking of this, the JCW Countryman's steering isn't as unforgivingly heavy as on earlier MINIs even while retaining its accuracy - but could use with a bit more quickness.
Those who prefer a wider range of play with the driving settings should also be warned that the JCW Countryman prefers things its pre-determined way.
'Go-Kart' mode, for instance, is a fixed set menu of steering, gearbox and engine calibrations - rather than a customisable setup. There's no possibility of adjusting the suspension damping, or steering weight to one's wishes, although to the JCW Countryman's credit, 'Go-Kart' feels quite well sorted already.
Another slight pain point presents itself here: While the new rounded infotainment screen does a fairly entertaining job at mimicking a tachometer, its new-age look still subconsciously shaves off some of the 'driver-focused' quality of older JCW cars. It may be nostalgia speaking, but at such points, it feels hard not to miss the simpler driver's display - or even analogue dials - of older JCW Countrymans.
Bursting with personality, and offering surprising practicality, the MINI Countryman was already a stellar compact SUV, now reimagined again to go fast(er) with its JCW badge. Without real compromises to the original package, the extra performance also gives it an extra dimension of allure - and shows that combustion power can still proffer unique thrills within the evolving House of MINI.
Admittedly, its $300,000-eclipsing asking price today places this in a tough spot in the Countryman range. For instance, even the dual-motor Countryman SE (surprisingly capable of more power, though slower overall because of its weight) costs a good $50,000 less. If it's just a Countryman one were after, then, this JCW variant is perhaps flying too high in niche appeal not every driver is willing to pay for.
Stacked up against the compact performance SUV-likes from other premium brands including Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi, however, the JCW Countryman's less exorbitant price tag does put it in a positive light. Again, the draw of a tall and heavy-ish car that happens to have a fair bit of power will only be felt by a very specific sort of driver - but if solo drives at 11:30pm after dropping the family (and their baggage) off are on the cards, this not-so-tiny chilli padi could well pack a solid, inimitable punch.
This MINI JCW Countryman was kindly loaned out to Sgcarmart by Eurokars Leasing, whose diverse fleet of rental and leasing cars spans bread-and-butter models to special machines like this one. For further enquiries, interested parties may find out more at the link here.
Here are a few other compact performance SUVs that we've seen on our roads over the last few years!
The Mercedes-AMG GLA45 S is a mighty crossover that thrills with its mouth-watering performance
The Cupra Formentor is a formidable performance SUV that is charismatic and highly functional
What We Like
Distinct and bold styling
Plentiful power
Surprisingly pliant ride with its adaptive suspension
Handles well; good grip levels
Doubles up remarkably as a practical and spacious family car
What We Dislike
Steering could use a bit more weight and quickness
Cockpit doesn’t feel exceptionally driver-focused
It's 11:30pm and the neighbours are all getting ready to sleep - but what awaits at your carpark is a special, not-so-little machine eager to get on the road again, barely a few hours after you've returned home from dinner.
Instead of settling in downwards, however, the car's raised height means you sort of just… step up and slide inwards into the driver's seat. And instead of a conventional 'Start' button, your left hand reaches towards what appears to be a permanently-affixed key fob. Foot on the brake pedal, firm twist, and the engine burbles joyously to life as a head-up display slowly raises to attention.
Only one final step is left: A couple of upwards nudges on a lever titled 'Experiences'. As the circular screen goes red and black, the exhaust note grows angrier still.
No one will be mistaking the JCW Countryman from the non-performance Countrymans (or Countrymen?) with its racier styling
Given how quickly MINI seems to be embracing electric cars - and also the remarkable results it has reaped while en-route - one could be forgiven for momentarily forgetting that combustion power still forms an important pillar for the brand.
Perhaps sensing this danger, the all-new MINI John Cooper Works Countryman works doubly hard to make its presence felt.
Much has already been made about the growth spurt of this generation, so beating that dead horse no longer has value. Here, one's attention is involuntarily drawn to how clearly this JCW Countryman sets itself apart from the rest of the pack.
Chilli red accents, and smoky black badging and lettering are already hallmarks of any John Cooper Works model. But writ large on the Countryman's heftier body, the effect feels even more pronounced than before.
Scorching red brake callipers and circular quad exhausts further clue you in to the reality that this is no ordinary Countryman
Other elements dial the heat up further: Scorching red brake callipers, John Cooper Works emblems pinned all over, and delicious circular quad exhausts framing the car's rear bumper. The average MINI is already not famed for subtlety, but the JCW Countryman effortlessly outclasses its fellow Countrymen in terms of drama with these touches.
Even the staggered strips on its rims - which resemble a racing flag - call for your attention. If one takes it that performance SUVs should thrive on (befuddling) theatrics, this one easily hits the mark.
Given the rather drastic overhaul that current MINI interiors have been given (read: lots of fabric, plus one massive circular iPad), the JCW Countryman does a commendable job at making its sporting intentions clear on the inside.
A brooding black is the overwhelming aesthetic, but not without a flurry of red clawing back some visibility. These manifest as vertical lashes on the dashboard, as stitching across the sports seats and steering wheel; as the primary colour of the latter's fabric "third spoke", and on the pull handle of the central storage box.
Amidst these familiar JCW-trappings, the JCW Countryman - like its non-performance siblings - continues to charm with its offbeat interior design.
Uninitiated folks taking their first ride in a modern MINI are likely to still be charmed - and still be overwhelmed - by the unorthodox rounded infotainment screen and its expanse of menus. Once familiarity is reached, however, appreciation starts to set in for the fact that the JCW Countryman has taken a bold and different tack from the many compact SUVs on the market.
A spacious rear bench and relatively flat floor mean that three average-sized adults can sit abreast quite comfortably in the JCW Countryman's second row
Furthermore, it is when one ponders the key qualities of a performance SUV that this current car clearly sets itself ahead of its predecessors.
Previous iterations of the JCW Countryman were a bit murkier in their visions: Not exactly purist machines, given their weight and height, yet also not fully-realised as family cars (in other words, big-ish but not quite big enough).
Now, however, the latter box has been ticked. The car's rear bench will quite easily accommodate three average-sized Asian adults (and is made to feel airier with that large panoramic roof), and while its 470-litre boot isn't class-leading, it's definitely large enough for golf bags and weekly shopping.
The fact that the second row has a 40:20:40 split aids its versatility, too; knock all three pieces flat and the space expands to a maximum of 1,450 litres.
Not eager to give in to electric motors and batteries just yet, under the rounded hood of the JCW Countryman lies its beating heart: A turbocharged 2.0-litre inline-four engine, capable of putting out 296bhp and 400Nm of torque.
What its exhaust note may lack in fullness, it more than makes up for in unadulterated volume - at least by the standards of a compact-ish performance crossover anyway. Even in 'Core' (MINI-speak for the 'Normal' driving mode), the JCW Countryman does not shy away from telling the driver it has plenty to give.
Flick the JCW Countryman into Go-Kart mode for maximum pleasure: With meatier steering, and heightened throttle response
You'll want to flick it into Go-Kart for maximum pleasure, though. There's just the slightest lag when you put your foot down - but otherwise, the Countryman is raring to go, punching forward with unbridled glee as it hunts down the next rearview mirror to poke its cheerful face into. While that seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is quite adept at matching where the driver's mind is at, the edge in responsiveness from those paddle shifters also means one invariably finds their fingers being put through a workout.
Surprisingly, the fact that the JCW Countryman gets adaptive suspension - specifically tuned for its badge - means that the ride feels more settled than on the Countryman SE we drove, even if it (rightfully) tends more towards firmness.
Its resultant versatility is easy to appreciate. Driven more leisurely, its pliancy and general size help it pass handily as a comfortable family car. Driven as if running late for the reunion dinner on Lunar New Year's Eve, the JCW Countryman brings itself up to pace with a devilish grin.
Considering its raised ride height, body roll is contained commendably (though one should take any 'go-kart handling' taglines with a handful of salt). Meanwhile, grip levels with the car's all-wheel drive and on those P Zeros are good - meaning you can carry speed into corners fairly confidently.
The hug-you-tight quality of its front sports seats and chunkiness of its steering wheel are but added bonuses that egg a driver on, even as the three passengers on the rear bench are squeezed too close for comfort, leftwards and rightwards. Speaking of this, the JCW Countryman's steering isn't as unforgivingly heavy as on earlier MINIs even while retaining its accuracy - but could use with a bit more quickness.
Those who prefer a wider range of play with the driving settings should also be warned that the JCW Countryman prefers things its pre-determined way.
'Go-Kart' mode, for instance, is a fixed set menu of steering, gearbox and engine calibrations - rather than a customisable setup. There's no possibility of adjusting the suspension damping, or steering weight to one's wishes, although to the JCW Countryman's credit, 'Go-Kart' feels quite well sorted already.
Another slight pain point presents itself here: While the new rounded infotainment screen does a fairly entertaining job at mimicking a tachometer, its new-age look still subconsciously shaves off some of the 'driver-focused' quality of older JCW cars. It may be nostalgia speaking, but at such points, it feels hard not to miss the simpler driver's display - or even analogue dials - of older JCW Countrymans.
Bursting with personality, and offering surprising practicality, the MINI Countryman was already a stellar compact SUV, now reimagined again to go fast(er) with its JCW badge. Without real compromises to the original package, the extra performance also gives it an extra dimension of allure - and shows that combustion power can still proffer unique thrills within the evolving House of MINI.
Admittedly, its $300,000-eclipsing asking price today places this in a tough spot in the Countryman range. For instance, even the dual-motor Countryman SE (surprisingly capable of more power, though slower overall because of its weight) costs a good $50,000 less. If it's just a Countryman one were after, then, this JCW variant is perhaps flying too high in niche appeal not every driver is willing to pay for.
Stacked up against the compact performance SUV-likes from other premium brands including Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi, however, the JCW Countryman's less exorbitant price tag does put it in a positive light. Again, the draw of a tall and heavy-ish car that happens to have a fair bit of power will only be felt by a very specific sort of driver - but if solo drives at 11:30pm after dropping the family (and their baggage) off are on the cards, this not-so-tiny chilli padi could well pack a solid, inimitable punch.
This MINI JCW Countryman was kindly loaned out to Sgcarmart by Eurokars Leasing, whose diverse fleet of rental and leasing cars spans bread-and-butter models to special machines like this one. For further enquiries, interested parties may find out more at the link here.
Here are a few other compact performance SUVs that we've seen on our roads over the last few years!
The Mercedes-AMG GLA45 S is a mighty crossover that thrills with its mouth-watering performance
The Cupra Formentor is a formidable performance SUV that is charismatic and highly functional
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Car Information
MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 2.0 (A)
$306,888
CAT B|Petrol|12.2km/L
Horsepower
221kW (296 bhp)
Torque
400 Nm
Acceleration
5.4sec (0-100km /hr)
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- Exterior
- Interior
- The Drive
- Conclusion