It wears a Mini badge, but when it comes to its overall dimensions,
engine output and price tag, well it's not really very mini at all. Indeed,
the JCW Countryman is the biggest Mini ever and also the most powerful, but is it potent enough
to wear the infamous John Cooper Works badge and should you drop $70,000 on it? Let's find out.
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The Countryman may officially be a small SUV, but compared to the original Mini, it's truly
massive, and this top shelf JCW version is monstrously powerful in comparison as well.
It's also way more expensive, but considering you could buy the classic Mini for just 497
British quid brand new back in the late 50s, it's kind of a moot point.
This upgraded version is both cheaper and more expensive than the $66,000 model it replaces,
because it comes in three trim levels. We're evaluating the most expensive signature model.
An aggressive 2 litre turbo petrol four banger lurks under here,
pumping out 225 kilowatts or around 300 horsepower. Now, that's a lot of mumbo,
but it's disappointing there is no power upgrade for this facelift.
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And while the JCW gets better brakes, stiffer suspension,
bigger wheels and wider tyres to increase grip levels over the regular Countryman,
there are no new mechanical changes for the 2021 model. So what is new with this machine? Well,
you get these fresh adaptive LED headlights. What does that mean? Well, they're very bright
and they can adjust vertically and horizontally to illuminate round corners and compensate for
different load levels. The quirky frog mouth grill has been replaced with this
sportier less controversial design and a new color, this one, sage green, is now available.
The pumped wheel arches return with sporty 19-inch rims, but this top shelf model gets a black pack
which replaces a lot of its predecessor's chrome. We're talking black door handles,
side mirrors, rear badges, you name it. Speaking of the back-end, eagle-eyed Mini
fans will note the Union Jack graphics in the new LED tail lights. Personally, I really like them,
but I also know a lot of people who find them tacky. Oh, and the JCW's sports exhaust system
gets bigger 90 millimetre outlets now. While we're here, let's have a look in the boot
power tailgate, I like that, and there is nothing mini about this, plenty of room for all your gear,
and I really like this hidden compartment too. It's deep and the shelf locks into place
as well. However, there is no spare tyre, this vehicle uses run flats.
There are some meaningful changes in the cabin starting with this new digital instrument panel,
there are also four colour options for the striped dashboard inlay,
a twin glass roof, and the central touch screen now has haptic touch buttons as well.
Cool. It looks great, has really clear and sharp visuals and features wireless Apple CarPlay,
the only problem is there is no Android Auto, wireless or otherwise. Mini says this will be
remedied soon, I really hope so. The rest of the cabin remains unchanged, but you still get two USB
ports, a wireless phone charger that will fit most sized phones and an average level
of incidental storage cubbies. Oh, and the leather seats are really supportive,
have a premium feel and come with power adjustability. Even the back seats are actually
pretty roomy with decent leg and headroom, plus you've got air vents and two USB-C ports.
Alright, enough beating around the bush. Cue the music.
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Like all JCW models, this is raw. Fast, loud and stiffer than a titanium conrod,
this is not designed for comfort, if that's what you want, get a Toyota RAV4.
But on the right road, this hot all-wheel drive wagon really comes alive. The super direct
steering and grippy Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres give the Mini loads of confidence tipping into corners.
While the breaks are touchy and overly sensitive in traffic, they are tremendously effective when
you're flogging the bejesus out of the car. [laughter] It is good. This is very,
very good. There's something undeniably satisfying about the way the car accelerates as well.
Throttle response is razor sharp. It is seriously impressive,
and it's backed up by that awesome exhaust node that really draws you into the drive experience.
The conventional eight-speed auto is really slick as well.
At times, it almost feels like a dual clutch gearbox, such are the speed of the shifts.
But if I was to aim one major criticism at this car, it would be the noise,
there's a lot of wind-noise from the A pillars, there's a lot of noise from the run flat tyres,
and I think if you're driving it every day, this is gonna get old pretty quick. And while this SUV
isn't as bonkers as the Mini GP, it can go places its nut case cousin can only dream of.
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Although I wouldn't call this a road legal rally car, it sure knows how to dance on the dirt,
and it is quite a lot of fun throwing it around these gravel corners, and I've gotta say that 165
millimetres of ground clearance means it can go places a lot of other Minis will never dream of.
Look, this is no Land Cruiser, but if you get the base model, pure version, it comes
with smaller 18-inch alloy wheels, wearing tyres that are slightly more suited to gravel roads.
And I reckon this machine is just wild enough to wear the infamous JCW
badge and Mini fans will find value here, but $70,000 is a lot of money for a compact SUV.
Luckily, there's a 60 grand version and that's where I'd be looking.
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