The Countryman has always been a bit of a rebel within the Mini family, and being larger than a Jeep Compass, it clearly stands as an antithesis to its name. But for buyers seeking everyday practicality without sacrificing the brand’s legendary go-kart-like driving manners, the new Countryman promises to deliver the best of both worlds. And this John Cooper Works (JCW) version dials up the styling and performance, making it the most powerful production Mini yet. We drove it on the Buddh International Circuit to find out what it’s all about.
Mini JCW Countryman All4 Exterior Design & Engineering – 9/10
JCW-specific styling bits emphasise the sporty intent of this otherwise chic crossover.
Codenamed U25, the third-generation Mini Countryman is based on BMW’s UKL2 platform, shared with the BMW X1 and capable of supporting both ICE and electric powertrains. In terms of size, the JCW Countryman is 4,447mm long, 1,843mm wide and 1,645mm high, with a 2,692mm wheelbase. To put that in perspective, it’s larger than a Jeep Compass in every dimension.
Despite its size, the Countryman’s curvy design language with smooth, crease-free body lines makes it appear chic and urbane. Being the JCW version, it carries several design cues that emphasise its sporty intent. The blackened grille and air dam feature a racing flag-inspired pattern, while the bumpers and side skirts visually lower the stance. New 19-inch ‘Runway Spoke’ alloys further enhance its athletic look.
The roof, pillars and mirrors are blacked out on the green body colour, while they’re finished in red on the black and grey shades. Red accents on the bumpers and brake calipers are standard, as are the numerous ‘John Cooper Works’ badges on the grille, C-pillars and tailgate. The matrix LED tail-lamps perform a distinctive light show every time you lock or unlock the car. Enthusiasts will also appreciate the functional quad exhausts, which aren’t just for show.
Mini JCW Countryman All4 Interior Space & Comfort – 8/10
The practical and spacious cabin exudes a fun and youthful vibe.
Like its predecessor, the new Countryman’s cabin embraces a minimalist design with the signature circular theme. The highlight here is a 9.4-inch circular OLED touchscreen, boasting superb clarity and resolution. Fun themes, lively animations, and even musical notifications add a sense of playfulness. This screen also doubles as the speedometer and driver info display, which isn’t the most convenient to read on the move. Thankfully, this JCW variant includes a head-up display (HUD), though it’s basic and lacks depth of information.
As with the EV version, the dashboard uses fabric made from recycled materials, with an open-pore texture that may not be ideal in dusty conditions. The black-and-red interior theme looks tasteful and suitably sporty.
The JCW sports seats are heavily contoured and firm; drivers with broader builds might find the lower bolstering intrusive, impacting long-distance comfort. On the positive side, the steering wheel feels great to hold, featuring a round boss and a unique fabric strap in place of the third spoke. The paddleshifters feel tactile and premium.
Rear seat space is generous, and the sliding and reclining bench (with 130mm fore-aft adjustment) enhances versatility. The bench itself is comfortable, and the flat floor makes seating a third passenger manageable. Practicality is well-thought-out, with ample storage trays, cup holders and clever compartments throughout the cabin. The 500-litre boot adds to its usability, though a spare wheel is not included.
Mini JCW Countryman All4 Features & Safety – 8/10
It’s quite well-equipped for its price, with the only real miss being ventilated front seats.
The JCW Countryman is well-equipped for its price. Along with the high-resolution OLED touchscreen running Mini’s latest OS9, it offers wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, multiple drive modes, a 360-degree camera, Harman Kardon audio, a head-up display, paddleshifters, a panoramic sunroof, and LED headlights with matrix LED tail-lamps that perform customisable light shows. JCW-specific elements – such as the 19-inch alloys, quad exhausts and electric sports seats – add to its character. The only major miss is ventilated seats.
On the safety front, it includes front and curtain airbags, ESP and Level 1 ADAS features such as front collision warning, lane departure warning and attention assist.
Mini JCW Countryman All4 Performance & Refinement – 9/10
300hp makes this a lively performer, and the synthesised sounds truly elevate the aural experience.
The headline figures of its B48 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo-petrol engine are 300hp, 400Nm torque, a 0-100kph time of 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 250kph. Expectedly, performance is strong, and you get a taste of its right from the initial throttle response, which feels nice and aggressive. The mid range is strong too, and it pulls nicely, with the 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox complementing it with quick shifts. It is a punchy engine, no doubt, and on the back straight of BIC, this 1,660kg crossover hit speeds of around 215kph with relative ease.
Performance is brisk and immediate – the initial throttle response feels eager, and the mid-range punch is strong. The gearbox shifts quickly and intuitively, making this 1,660kg crossover feel genuinely quick. On the BIC’s back straight, it effortlessly touched 215kph.
Drive modes alter the car’s character, with ‘JCW’ mode being the most aggressive. The ‘Iconic Sounds’ feature plays synthesised exhaust notes through the speakers, complete with pops and crackles – adding plenty of theatre. Switch it off, though, and the car sounds surprisingly subdued for something wearing a JCW badge.
Mini JCW Countryman All4 Mileage – 8/10
Mini’s claimed fuel efficiency figure of 15.4kpl is optimistic.
Additionally, the Countryman also gets an Efficient mode to tame the performance down and extract the most out of each litre of fuel. The company claims this 300hp Mini is capable of delivering 15.4kpl, but drive it with verve, and its efficiency will plummet to single digits in no time.
Mini JCW Countryman All4 Ride Comfort and Handling – 7/10
Even though grip is good, there is a fair bit of body roll due to its high centre of gravity.
The ALL4 system denotes a front-biased all-wheel drive, which sends torque to the rear axle via an electro-mechanical multi-plate clutch when slip is detected. This enhances traction and cornering stability.
Steering response remains sharp and direct, offering good confidence during quick direction changes. Grip levels are excellent, too, aided by the firm suspension setup, which complements its sporty nature. However, that same firmness, combined with 19-inch wheels, makes the ride noticeably stiff, especially over bumps or rough surfaces.
Body roll is evident due to its height and mass, something that showed up around tighter corners on the track. On the plus side, its 190mm ground clearance ensures it will handle Indian roads without scraping.
Braking performance is superb – it sheds speed from over 200kph to double digits impressively. However, under heavy braking, there’s significant weight transfer to the front, occasionally making the rear feel a bit unsettled, which might catch inexperienced drivers off guard.
Mini JCW Countryman All4 Price & Verdict – 7/10
In the absence of similarly priced performance-oriented crossovers, it’ll carve its niche.
As a full import, the Mini JCW Countryman ALL4 is priced at Rs 64.90 lakh (ex-showroom). Sure, some driving enthusiasts might consider the more affordable VW Golf GTI, the upcoming Skoda Octavia RS, or even stretch for the BMW M340i.
Yet, the Countryman occupies a unique niche – it’s a performance-oriented crossover that blends everyday practicality, distinctive charm and Mini’s dynamic DNA. For that select audience, the JCW Countryman remains a truly singular choice.
