Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Mini Countryman JCW
Specs
Class: Subcompact Crossover
Shade: Blazing Blue
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 163
Actual-world gas economic 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 autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and will not replicate Client Information’s impressions of all the 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 gas economic system: 23/30/26 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gasoline sort: Premium fuel
Base value: $46,900 (not together with $1175 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at automobile: N/A
Value as examined: N/A
Execs and Cons
The good: Genuinely enjoyable to drive, roomy and comfy cabin
The great: Comparatively simple on the fuel, long-trip consolation
The not so good: Glitchy Bluetooth connectivity, premium value
Assessment
It’s simple to narrate. Because the years go by, it will get a little bit tougher to remain in form. This creator 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 inexpensive 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 sort of thrice heavier than the primary Mini. However to be honest, the brand new Countryman wears the additional kilos properly, and, frankly, few Individuals would really buy a automotive 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 partaking 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 quite a few suspension and chassis bits, all within the identify 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 giant as Hyundai’s fashionable Kona small crossover. General, the Mini is about 2 inches longer than the Hyundai, and roughly 3 inches larger. The Mini is significantly heavier, nonetheless. The Countryman does put these additional kilos to good use, although, as this versatile Mini proved to be each sporty and splendid, if possibly a little bit costly.
Client 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; nonetheless, we estimate the bottom-line value, 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 screen, which serves as each the Countryman’s infotainment middle and instrument panel. What this implies is—in step with Mini custom, there aren’t any devices instantly in entrance of the motive force. For these new to the model, this seemingly odd setup shortly turns into regular in common use. The big digital velocity readout, for instance, is simple to find and skim at a look. Plus, the autos head-up show, which is projected onto the windshield instantly in entrance of the drive, consists of velocity among the many data offered.
All that stated, se did discover icons positioned close to the sting of the pie-plate display screen tough to have interaction with bigger (fatter)fingers. We additionally, to our nice frustration, discovered ourselves incessantly compelled to reconnect our telephones through Bluetooth to the automotive. 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 massive editor discovered the Countryman loads roomy. Huge door openings imply easy accessibility to the cabin, and there’s loads of area inside for as much as 4 adults. Add a fifth passenger in case you should, however issues might be tight in again.
Outward visibility is sweet, and the cabin feels massive, vibrant, 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 experience consolation, and agency, supportive seats, this Mini crossover makes for a wonderful long-trip conveyance.
Trip and Dealing with
The non-obligatory ($600) 20-inch alloy wheels, on this case shod with all-season tires, could have firmed up the experience considerably, however we nonetheless discovered general 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 powerful, including to the general sense of management.
And although we poked lovingly on the Countryman’s chunky midriff, we are able to’t argue with our overserved gas economic system. In a mixture of driving that barely favored around-town errands, our take a look at automotive 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 propose that anybody severe concerning the Mini crossover additionally take a look at drive the BMW X1, and in addition the pleasant Acura RDX. Whereas we discover the connectivity points to be a significant irritant, there isn’t any denying the Countryman’s glorious mix of enjoyable and performance. Additionally, in case you 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 burden achieve.
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2025 Mini Countryman JCW Photos
(Click on beneath for enlarged photographs)
