Mini JCW Countryman All4 Favoured review: why we think an $84k Mini is quite good value

It's part of the journalistic code of ethics that when reviewing a Mini Countryman of any kind, you have to highlight how massive it is. This was reviewed and further ratified after the launch of the current (3rd-generation) model in 2023, which increased another 120mm in length.

In reality, BMW has never really been fixated on replicating the exterior dimensions of the iconic original. That would be mad, given it was a snip over 3 metres long. Instead, it's worked on bringing the Mini brand (it is a brand in this context, not an adjective) to multiple market segments and making sure it's still compact in those contexts.

The Mini Cooper 3dr is less than 4 metres long, so quite a bit shorter than your average small car; even the Cooper 5dr is just over 4m, despite the extra set of doors.

Countryman is Mini's take on a compact SUV, and yes, still relatively small in that context. Even the upsized new-gen model is less than 4.5m long, or if you want something familiar for context - about the same size as a Toyota Corolla Cross. Wider and taller, but in that ballpark.

Glad we got that sorted. Now, let's try and have some fun. In standard form, Countryman comes with 3-cylinder petrol and pure-electric powertrains, but Mini's also seemingly on a mission to make a heated-up John Cooper Works (JCW) version of just about everything. So meet the JCW Countryman, petrol-only with a fizzy 2.0-litre turbo 4-cylinder.

Outrageous exterior addenda is pretty much expected from Mini, but our JCW Countryman test car is actually quite low-key.

The base price for a JCW Countryman is $79,990, but most (including our test car here) come equipped with the $5k Favoured option package, which adds a number of equipment items including 20-inch wheels with uprated brakes, and power front seats with memory.

On the outside: what are the Mini JCW Countryman's main design features?

Outrageous exterior addenda is pretty much expected from Mini, but our JCW Countryman test car is actually quite low-key. The Midnight Black II finish tones it right down, and while there are always colour and decal options if you want them (a red roof and bonnet stripes, for example), this one is pretty stealth.

You'll know the JCW by the special grille and those two red fangs on the front bumper. The Favoured package brings some big 20-inch wheels and the special brakes, while there are four exhaust pipes shouting at you from the rear. 

And "John Cooper Works" badges visible from every angle. Big, big JCW badges.

OVERVIEW

On the inside: what's the Mini JCW Countryman cabin like?

Interior design is one thing that really makes this car stand out... with the caveat that the dashboard architecture is also pretty much the same across the entire current-generation Mini lineup.

The pseudo-knitted dashboard surfaces, lurid graphics and retro-style toggle switches would seem contrived in any other car, but Mini seems to pull it off.

There are some striking shapes and colours, with most of the instrumentation contained in the centre-mounted circular infotainment screen; the driver essentials are also projected onto a head-up display via a flimsy looking piece of Perspex (the display is impressively crisp, though).

The round touch-screen is an homage to the circular speedometer of the original Mini, and you can even have a retro-reboot of the 1959 look by switching to Timeless mode.

Unlike earlier-gen BMW Minis, this iteration of the round screen embraces and exploits the possibilities of the shape, rather than simply jamming a square display into the middle. Except for phone projection, which must by neccessity... be a square display jammed in the middle.

There's the expected voice assistant, a dog called Spike (groan), but the layout of the screen is pretty intuitive and you can always shortcut to a grid of functions to find what you want.

The pseudo-knitted dashboard surfaces, lurid graphics and retro-style toggle switches would seem contrived in any other car, but Mini seems to pull it off. It's what you expect from a brand that still prides itself on being a bit cheeky, and the layout is still practical with plenty of storage spaces and cubbies.

Rear-seat space is better than your average compact-SUV, because the Countryman is tall, while the 40/20/40 split rear seat is straight out of the BMW Touring/SUV playbook. Minis have long featured an adjustable rear-seat backrest to better mix-and-match passenger and cargo space (if those in the back don't mind sitting a bit more upright), and that's carried over to the new Countryman.

The boot breaks 500 litres capacity, which is pretty impressive for an SUV of this segment. There's a false floor with storage underneath, which is handy... except that if you want to remove it to achieve maximum load height, there's nowhere really convenient to store it because it's one-piece. It's a bit awkward and a result of having to reserve that area for hybrid hardware in the electrified models. None of that here.

INTERIOR

On the road: what's the Mini JCW Countryman like to drive?

The latest JCW Countryman is larger, heavier and less powerful than the car it replaces. Not off to a good start then, but turns out some of the changes are in a good cause.

Any change in drive mode is accompanied by what Mini thinks is an appropriate sound ('woo-hoo!' for JCW), but you can shut that down in the infotainment menu. We did.

It's mostly about the switch from an 8-speed automatic to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, which would not have been able to handle the 450Nm torque of the old car... but it does bang through the gears with more alacrity, giving the JCW a more aggressive feel.

It also helps hold back the thirst in this substantially larger model, which achieves 8.4l/100km compared to 8.3l/100km for the previous car. You can maximise the fuel efficiency by selecting Green with the Mini Experience Mode switch, but if you're doing that a lot you might have bought the wrong model.

It's still a fun-first experience, especially if you wind the other way up to JCW-mode and let the powertrain pop and bang its way from A to B. Any change in drive mode is accompanied by what Mini thinks is an appropriate sound ("woo-hoo!" for JCW), but you can shut that down in the infotainment menu. We did. Immediately.

It's still decently quick and despite a huge amount of grip, fairly scrappy feeling in the chassis - deliberately so we suspect, in an effort to make it feel more Mini than BMW (the platform is shared with the X1 and X2).

It still feels very much like a front-drive car and you'll even get a wriggle of torque steer in extremis, but despite - or perhaps because of - that, it's a hoot. The fat steering wheel is very BMW-like and flanked by paddle shifters.

The ride's pretty firm, but you should expect that with a JCW. The suspension is adaptive, so you can dial it up or down easily according to taste with the drive modes, or adjust the likes of powertrain and chassis individually.

SPECIFICATIONS

On ownership: what's the Mini JCW Countryman warranty and servicing situation?

The JCW Countryman is covered by a 5-year, 100,000km warranty (whichever comes first) and 3 years roadside assistance. A 3-year scheduled servicing plan is also standard, covering everything except wheel alignment/balancing, tyres and air conditioning.

Minis employ condition based service (CBS) technology, so they can monitor various mechanical aspects and remind the owner when a service is due.

On the whole: what do we think of the Mini JCW Countryman?

If you can put aside angst about the Mini brand growing ever-larger, the Countryman is a cool little SUV with lots of wacky styling detail to distract and entertain... but look closely and it's also a practical little SUV.

JCWs aren't anywhere near as feral as they used to be, but this Countryman is lots of fun nonetheless and being petrol-only, it's a nice point of difference to the smaller EV-only JCW Aceman SUV. While $84k might seem like a lot for a compact-SUV, take a look at our rivals below and the hot Countryman is actually pretty good value.

Why no electric version of this one? Well, there kind of is. The Countryman SE All4 is pure-electric and makes 230kW. Even though it's not an official JCW model, you can add a "JCW Sport" styling package to make it look like one, for a grand total of $86,990.

Mini JCW Countryman FAQs

What kind of car is the Mini JCW Countryman?

A 5-door compact SUV.

Does the Mini JCW Countryman have hybrid or EV technology?

No, it's a 2.0-litre petrol-turbo.

What’s the fuel economy of the Mini JCW Countryman?

8.4 litres per 100km (3P-WLTP).

Is the Mini JCW Countryman safe?

It carries a 5-star ANCAP rating (valid until 2031).

What safety and assistance features does the Mini JCW Countryman have?

What are the Mini JCW Countryman's main rivals?

• Cupra Formentor VZ ($87,500): serious power, serious chassis. And just as left-of-centre?
• BMW X2 ($110,800): same platform, bit more power, lots more money.
• Volkswagen T-Roc R ($74,990): exactly the same power/torque, and on runout so it's a bargain.
• Audi Q3 quattro ($96,990): all-new model on the way if you're feeling premium.
• Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 ($114,900): maybe the most manic of the bunch, but the most expensive too.