2025 Mini JCW Countryman Review

The biggest Mini might just be the most useful in the lineup.

The Countryman may share the brand’s styling, but this one’s actually suitable for a small family. Better still, it retains the fun-driving character of its smaller stablemates. Opt for the high-powered 2025 Mini JCW Countryman, and you get a spicy 300-hp crossover with plenty of personality and the unmistakable charm of the brand that builds it.

Styling 8.5 / 10

Show me the person who says that all crossovers are boring, and I’ll point them in the direction of this Mini. Redesigned for 2025, the Countryman has squared-off headlights and a larger grille, but it retains its familiar silhouette and contrast colour roof options. It’s also bigger in almost every dimension, adding much-needed length to the wheelbase. Meanwhile, the JCW version — short for John Cooper Works — has a few red flourishes and badges to set it apart from the rest of the Countryman lineup.

The interior is just as quirky, with durable recycled fabric on the doors and dashboard, and the industry’s first fully round OLED infotainment screen. The screen has sharp and colourful visuals and a new operating system that’s unique to the Mini brand. There are also toggle switches inside, and chequered flag motifs reminding you that you bought the hot Countryman.

Power 8 / 10

The Countryman is powered by a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder, but it’s been tuned to produce a stout 312 hp in JCW guise to go with the same 295 lb-ft of torque as the S version. It’s a lower torque rating than the previous model and acceleration takes a small hit, but this Mini is plenty quick, getting up to highway speeds in a few ticks over five seconds. The engine has a nice throaty growl and eager power delivery, though the artificial sound pumped in through the speakers is a bit heavy-handed. Worse still, it can’t be turned off in any of the sportier drive modes to make way for the real stuff.

Driving Feel 8.5 / 10

The Countryman, especially in JCW trim, is one of a handful of crossovers that’s genuinely fun to drive. It has sharp steering and a rather aggressive turn-in that makes it feel more like a hot hatch than a family conveyance. It relishes being chucked into corners and powering out of them riding on a wave of turbocharged boost.

There are experience modes in a Mini, not drive modes, although that’s just marketing speak, and they’re pretty much the same. Go-kart mode is the fun one, as evidenced by the display turning into a checkered flag, and it sharpens throttle response and gear changes and stiffens up the steering for a more dynamic experience.

User-Friendliness 8 / 10

Considerations to the design of the operating system had to be made to work on a circular screen, but it feels well done. Critical driving information sits at the top and sides, and climate controls are at the bottom. The middle is reserved for widgets and apps, not unlike a smartphone. It’s also fast and fluid in its operation, making it a good experience through and through. Graciously, there are still physical controls like a volume knob and toggle switches for changing experience modes, and the gear selector is fun and easy to use. 

Comfort 7 / 10

The JCW has the stiffest ride in the Countryman lineup, but it’s far from what you’d call harsh. You feel the impacts but the dampers effectively round off the edges, making it completely acceptable for everyday driving. Moreover, the handling benefits outweigh the slightly starchy ride. The front seats, which are unique to the JCW, are supportive and very comfortable, and rear-seat passengers have nicely sculpted places to sit with good knee- and legroom. However,  those north of six feet tall might feel a bit cramped.

Practicality 7 / 10

While it’s not the biggest crossover out there, the subcompact Mini Countryman lines up well with competitors like the Volvo XC40 and the Audi Q3. It shares a platform with the BMW X1, which is another one of its competitors. There’s 25 per cent more cargo space than the previous generation, with 460 L of space when the rear seats are in place and 1,450 L with them folded.

Features 7 / 10

The Mini’s quirky design and outgoing personality should be features in and of themselves, but there are other cool touches like the round infotainment display. It has vibrant graphics and a cute virtual canine helper that pops up when you utter the phrase, “Hey, Mini.”

Some of the “experience” modes might feel a bit gimmicky, but they’re well thought out with distinct themes. For example, “vivid” mode is all about putting your music front and centre by loading the music app while using the interior lighting to represent the music you’re listening to. And “timeless” loads virtual gauges and lights that mimic the ones from the classic Mini. Go-kart mode might be the most fun by increasing the exhaust volume while also pumping in engine sounds through the speakers and using red light projection on the dashboard to complement the sporty theme.

Fuel Economy 8.5 / 10

Even though the JCW Countryman makes more than 300 hp, it’s still reasonably efficient. During a week of mixed driving, the indicated average didn’t go above 9.0 L/100 km. Considering this is a premium crossover with all-wheel drive and a healthy amount of power, that’s excellent efficiency.

Safety 9 / 10

The Mini Countryman earned the Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the second-highest rating it can bestow on a vehicle. The JCW gets all the latest in advanced and passive safety systems including blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.

Value 8 / 10

The 2025 JCW Countryman is a little cheaper than the BMW X1 M35i, but it offers much more personality and better styling inside and out. The infotainment technology and driving character are also good reasons to pick the Mini over the more bland BMW. Not that this is a cheap crossover, with a starting price of nearly $60,000 with freight — and before options — but it offers a great powertrain with more output than what you get in an XC40 or Audi Q3.

The Verdict

The biggest Mini in its spiciest trim is just as fun to drive as it looks. In today’s world of milquetoast crossovers, the 2025 Mini JCW Countryman is a standout. It also drives well, no doubt inheriting its dynamics from parent company BMW, but it does so in a less serious manner. The cabin is also an excellent example of blending function and style and is easily one of the coolest new interiors in the industry today.