Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Mini Countryman JCW
Specs
Class: Subcompact Crossover
Colour: Blazing Blue
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 163
Actual-world gasoline financial system: 24.7 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B |
| Energy and Efficiency | A- |
| Match and End | B+ |
| Gasoline Financial system | B |
| Worth | B |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and will not replicate Shopper Information’s impressions of your entire mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | B+ |
| Tall Man | B |
| Huge & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” ranking based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 312-hp 2.0-liter |
| Engine Sort | Turbo 4-cylinder |
| Transmission | 7-speed automated |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving combine: 60% metropolis, 40% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline financial system: 23/30/26 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gasoline sort: Premium fuel
Base worth: $46,900 (not together with $1175 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check automobile: N/A
Value as examined: N/A
Professionals and Cons
The good: Genuinely enjoyable to drive, roomy and cozy cabin
The nice: Comparatively straightforward on the fuel, long-trip consolation
The not so good: Glitchy Bluetooth connectivity, premium worth
Evaluation
It’s straightforward to narrate. Because the years go by, it will get just a little tougher to remain in form. This writer admits that he’s not just a bit heavier than he was in highschool. Issues aren’t any completely different with BMW’s “small,” sporty, and arguably reasonably priced model, Mini. Born in 1959, the very first Mini was simply 153 inches lengthy, and clocked in at solely 1290 kilos. However that was a very long time in the past.
Dimension
Redesigned for 2025, the most important mannequin within the Mini lineup, the Countryman, now measures 175 inches in size, and weighs—look ahead to it—greater than 3800 kilos. That’s proper, the 2025 Countryman is nearly 3 times heavier than the primary Mini. However to be honest, the brand new Countryman wears the additional kilos effectively, and, frankly, few People would truly buy a automobile as small and bereft of facilities as the primary Mini anyway.
Additionally, to be moreover honest, that first Mini was a sporty coupe, whereas the Countryman is an AWD crossover—and a really interesting crossover at that.
As earlier than, the brand new Countryman shares its underbits with the BMW X1 small crossover. And just like the BMW, the Mini is fairly participating to drive. Extra on that in a second.
Costs and Trim Ranges
The Countryman lineup returns for 2025 in customary and JCW (John Cooper Works) trim ranges. The usual lineup consists of Signature Plus ($39,895) and Iconic ($43,095) trim ranges. Each are powered by a 241-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder.
Engines
The JCW is obtainable in the identical two trim ranges, however swaps the 241-horsepower engine for a potent 312-horse unit, together with plenty of suspension and chassis bits, all within the title of higher efficiency. The improve Iconic bundle brings with it, amongst different niceties, bigger wheels and tires, and a Harman Kardan-brand premium audio system. All Countryman fashions include AWD and a 7-speed “dual-clutch” automated transmission.
The Countryman JCW Signature Plus begins at $47,895, the Iconic $50,295. Be aware that each a plug-in-hybrid and pure-electric model of the Nation are additionally supplied for ’25.
As for dimension, the Countryman is roughly as massive as Hyundai’s common Kona small crossover. Total, the Mini is about 2 inches longer than the Hyundai, and roughly 3 inches greater. The Mini is significantly heavier, nevertheless. The Countryman does put these further kilos to good use, although, as this versatile Mini proved to be each sporty and splendid, if possibly just a little costly.
Shopper Information lately spent every week behind the wheel of a 2025 Mini Countryman in Iconic trim painted Blazing Blue. Our automobile was not accompanied by a window sticker; nevertheless, we estimate the bottom-line worth, together with vacation spot cost to be round $53,000.
Connectivity
Although redesigned, the Countryman cabin retains its playful character. The dashboard is once more dominated by a big, spherical, centrally positioned display, which serves as each the Countryman’s infotainment middle and instrument panel. What this implies is—consistent with Mini custom, there aren’t any devices straight in entrance of the motive force. For these new to the model, this seemingly odd setup rapidly turns into regular in common use. The massive digital velocity readout, for instance, is straightforward to find and skim at a look. Plus, the automobiles head-up show, which is projected onto the windshield straight in entrance of the drive, contains velocity among the many data offered.
All that stated, se did discover icons positioned close to the sting of the pie-plate display tough to have interaction with bigger (fatter)fingers. We additionally, to our nice frustration, discovered ourselves regularly compelled to reconnect our telephones by way of Bluetooth to the automobile. This glitch delayed the beginning of our commute most days by a number of minutes.
Cabin
Although informal feeling, the Countryman cabin is lined with high-quality supplies, together with the strange-but-endearing material dashboard floor. And, for these of a vegan bent, the leather-looking seats are literally upholstered in Vescin artificial leather-based—which appeared fairly good to us.
Even this large editor discovered the Countryman a lot roomy. Huge door openings imply quick access to the cabin, and there’s loads of area inside for as much as 4 adults. Add a fifth passenger if you happen to should, however issues might be tight in again.
Outward visibility is nice, and the cabin feels large, vivid, and ethereal. And, regardless of the low-speed exhaust noise kicked up by the engine throughout acceleration, the Countryman is surprisingly quiet at velocity. Because of the peaceable inside, respectable trip consolation, and agency, supportive seats, this Mini crossover makes for a wonderful long-trip conveyance.
Journey and Dealing with
The optionally available ($600) 20-inch alloy wheels, on this case shod with all-season tires, could have firmed up the trip considerably, however we nonetheless discovered total consolation to be glorious. Most significantly, the Nation serves up rewarding dealing with together with glorious steering really feel, that latter being a uncommon attribute these day.
Energy and Efficiency
However regardless of the Mini’s final limits, it’s among the many most entertaining small crossovers to drive round city. It’s fast off the road, produces nice, snarky exhaust noise, and serves up loads of passing and merging energy. The brakes, too, are agency and robust, including to the general sense of management.
And although we poked lovingly on the Countryman’s chunky midriff, we will’t argue with our overserved gasoline financial system. In a mixture of driving that barely favored around-town errands, our check automobile returned virtually 25 mpg, acceptable for any small crossover, and spectacular for one serving up 312 horsepower and is that this a lot enjoyable to drive. That is additionally 2 mpg higher than the EPA mixed fuel-economy estimate.
Worth
The Countryman is so quirky that we discover it tough to pin down direct competitors, however we recommend that anybody critical concerning the Mini crossover additionally check drive the BMW X1, and likewise the pleasant Acura RDX. Whereas we discover the connectivity points to be a serious irritant, there isn’t a denying the Countryman’s glorious mix of enjoyable and performance. Additionally, if you happen to don’t need or want all of the horsepower, contemplate the bottom Countryman with its nonetheless wholesome 241-horsepower engine. And, all issues thought of, we’ll forgive the load acquire.
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2025 Mini Countryman JCW Photos
(Click on under for enlarged photos)
