Review: The 313 hp New MINI Countryman JCW - the Most Powerful MINI Ever

We head to the mountains and coastal roads of Portugal to see if this more powerful (yet slightly slower) Countryman can live up to the JCW name.
Full review: www.motoringfi...

[@jimhobbs461]

The JCW mark has progressively been devalued. The name is now used for marketing purposes along with Cooper. John Cooper Works was originally used to badge special high-performance-tuned versions of the mini (a more extreme version of the Cooper), not an overweight SUV, however good it may be.

[@mitchellpope]

I mean... JCW means the exact same thing here. Higher performance. Significantly higher. Seems you're mainly upset that MINIs have gotten bigger, heavier, and higher.

[@minifam4]

Just put our order in for this car last week. So glad you (mostly) like the car. Comfortable yet sporty and responsive is music to our ears!

[@barang23]

It never turn heads like the old countryman….

[@michaelzero5144]

Still more than a full sec slower than my jcw clubman as it’s too big…

[@xxxmarekxxx505]

SUPER!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Otaner142]

Interior is ugly

[@Scotty_in_Ohio]

It'll be a while (probably a couple years) but when we finally decide to retire our R60 S All4 this will probably replace it. I'd love for there to be an option to have a hybrid Aceman but it doesn't sound like that's in the plan.

[@RobertLeversyt]

the aceman is ev only

[@andrejorge1567]

I have a clubman and one of my biggest questions is: how does this countryman behave when cornering? In the clubman there is no understeer, the car grips the road in a unique and spectacular way... in the previous countryman the "normal" understeer and body balancing was evident, and in this one how is it? Is it that obvious or is it more identical to the clubman?

[@MotoringFile]

Great question. We’ve had several F54 Clubman over the years and I know what you mean in terms of how they handle compared to the Countryman. While we haven’t driven the two back to back yet (we will later this year), I can confirm the new U25 Countryman felt a bit more neutral on mountain roads than the previous F60. It certainly has more feel coming through its quicker steering as well.

[@jerryrudolph6603]

Great vid. You talk in a pleasantly calm way. Have an order in for this car in red with black trim. First mini ever but finally one that I can sit in. Your reassuring review leads me to believe I will enjoy 5he ride. Thanks for sharing.

[@moflexmusicinc.6060]

It’s almost perfect : - add more power ( give us a V6 with tune ) - add more function vents - use carbon fiber ( tub , parts , kits ect ) - fine tune infotainment system - add a air suspension that can raise and lower vehicle upon request - add a proper functioning snorkel - add rally lights - add a proper roof rack system with aux access - add beefier tires - add a proper hitch to trailer option …. And there you have it perfection

[@WinkerPack]

BMW doesn’t do V6

[@jellyd4889]

If it has the full BMW HUD projected, then you get the road curves projected onto it. Thats good for mad rain, fog and snowstorms. The VW hud just shows "in 400m turn left" which is of little use when you cant see 50m.... and dont want to look down or right to the big display. Vw can show map in the tacho, however, and that helps.

[@stevetigersix]

@motoringfile thank goodness you can turn off the experiences engaged sound..how by the way ?? also turning off spike assistant rather than having a virtual dog popping up...again how ???

[@MotoringFile]

When you select an experience mode there’s a setting icon on the right. Click it, scroll and then turn off “experience jungle”. Spike can be turned off in the settings.

[@stevetigersix]

@@MotoringFile many thanks... I've actually ordered a J01 jcw the infotainment and settings are probably the same.. I had a play in the countryman jcw last weekend here in the UK but wasn't able to take it for a drive just had a limited browse thro the infotainment and touchy feel experience

[@michael--c]

@@MotoringFile Thank you for reporting this! That "Woohoo!" for Go-Kart Mode was my biggest reservation about the new generation of MINIs, so being able to turn that off is a huge relief.

[@MotoringFile]

@@michael--c 100% agree.

[@BullyBoxer]

@@MotoringFile you say its got 313bhp , but its being advertised by mini as having 300bhp .

[@livingdead233]

Won't that steering strap go loose after some time?

[@stevey500]

DCT? Bummer

[@Yoopercooper]

What kind of ground clearance is the U25 sporting? It would be nice to venture a little further off the beaten path with a countryman

[@MotoringFile]

Nothing dramatic but we actually did some light off roading (its in our behind the scenes review) and it was just fine.

[@richardmarkfielding]

Great review. When will you be road-testing the J01? The launch is not that far off.

[@MotoringFile]

Unfortunately it might be awhile since we're US based and that car won't come here until 2026.

[@davidspendlove5900]

Is this a Mini , really ?BMW have really ruined the name with these bloated overweight ugly machines.Looks cheap and the JCW badge just makes a mockery.

[@christopherconway2618]

What brand are those sunglasses? 😎

[@MotoringFile]

Electric (ironically).

[@islandknight6105]

Looks like non-adjustable headrest might be uncomfortable?!? Was it?!?

[@MotoringFile]

It was fine. I'm 6' 2" and it never bothers me while testing.