I never met John Cooper, the British motor racing legend who, alongside his father, founded the Cooper Car Company. Together, they redefined Formula 1 and open-wheel racing by doing something truly revolutionary: putting the engine in the back of the car. This singular innovation transformed motorsport into what we know and love today.
But Cooper’s genius didn’t stop there. He also helped develop the quirky little car that the British Motor Corporation christened the Mini, a vehicle that soon became a darling of drivers across England. The Mini Cooper, as it came to be known, didn’t just define a car—it became a cultural icon. Think stiff upper lips, bad dental work, afternoon tea, and “God Save the King.” That’s how British it is.
Then, in a twist of fate that even Cooper himself might’ve found amusing, the Germans got involved. Yes, while they may have lost the war, they managed to acquire the rights to the Mini name through BMW. The result? A reinvention as the all-caps MINI, as if they were shouting it from the Bavarian Alps. Gone was the modesty of the original, replaced with something… louder.
Yet despite the change in ownership, John Cooper’s name lives on through John Cooper Works, or JCW. This arm of the MINI brand has focused on injecting performance into these cars with more horsepower, sharper tuning, and a flair that makes you forget just how far removed today’s MINIs are from their pint-sized ancestors.
Which brings us to the 2025 MINI Countryman JCW—a vehicle that, after spending a week with it, left me convinced we’ve strayed very far from what was once “Mini.”
Let’s start with the size. The 2025 version is 5.4 inches longer, 0.9 inches wider, and 3.9 inches taller than its predecessor. Oh, and it’s a whopping 148 pounds heavier. That’s not just big; that’s Mini in name only. To put it kindly, it’s shaped less like a streamlined vehicle and more like a Coca-Cola can propped up on 20-inch wheels. Aerodynamic? Hardly.
But wait, there’s more. The interior is positively cavernous, capable of hosting what feels like an entire high school marching band. The kids would love it too, thanks to all the tech crammed inside. My tester came with heated and ventilated seats (complete with a massage function—albeit a weak one), wireless smartphone charging, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
And then there’s the dashboard—or rather, the lack of one. Instead of traditional gauges, there’s a 9.2-inch round touchscreen, smack in the middle of the center stack. It’s the size of a soccer ball and so distracting that even David Beckham would probably say, “What the hell?”
Now, let’s highlight the important bits. First, the engine. This Countryman JCW boasts a larger powerplant producing 312 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Not bad, especially when you consider it has to lug around a base curb weight of 3,836 pounds. To give it a proper thrill, there’s a “Boost” button, which unleashes maximum performance settings for 10 glorious seconds. You can even watch the countdown on the aforementioned soccer ball—which turns into a pulsating red disco ball during the frenzy.
Then there’s Spike, the canine voice assistant. Yes, you read that correctly: a dog is giving you driving tips. Oh, and you can download and play video games while parked. Seriously? I can’t decide if that’s genius or insanity. Those high school kids would love it though I bet.
But not everything is amusing. Those massive 20-inch wheels ensure you’ll feel every bump, crack, and imperfection on the road. It’s less like driving and more like being in a chiropractic session gone wrong.
All in all, the 2025 MINI Countryman JCW is an exercise in contradiction. It’s bold, brash, and undeniably entertaining, but it’s also lost much of what made the Mini… well, mini. John Cooper might’ve been impressed with its power, but he’d probably have a good laugh at its size. And maybe, just maybe, he’d wonder if bigger really is better. Or simply roll over in his grave.
2025 MINI JCW Countryman ALL4
MSRP: $46,900
MSRP (as tested): $51,995
Engine: 2.0 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder 312 horsepower @ 5750 rpm, 295 ft-lbs. torque @ 2000 rpm
Transmission: 7-speeds shiftable automatic
Base Curb Weight: 3836 lbs.
Exterior Dimensions (inches)
Wheelbase: 106
Length: 175.1
Width, without mirrors: 72.6
Height: 63.7
Minimum Ground Clearance: 8
Interior Dimensions
Passenger / Seating Capacity: 5
Front Head Room: 40.7 inches
Front Leg Room: 40.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room: 55.7 inches
Second Row Head Room: 37.4 inches
Second Row Leg Room: 37 inches
Second Row Shoulder Room: 54.8 inches
Cargo Space/Area Behind Front Row: 56.2 cubic feet
Warranty
4 Basic Years / 50,000 Basic Miles
4 Drivetrain Years / 50,000 Drivetrain Miles
12 Corrosion Years / Unlimited Corrosion Miles
4 Roadside Assistance Years / Unlimited Roadside Assistance Miles
3 Maintenance Years / 36,000 Maintenance Miles
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