Mini Countryman JCW All4 First Drive Review - Max Mini

It’s raining performance cars in India this year, isn’t it? Volkswagen started the trend with the Golf GTI earlier this year; its sister brand, Škoda, followed with the Octavia RS, and now Mini India wants a slice of the action with the all-new Countryman JCW.

Unlike the VW Group twins, the Mini is more expensive — but it also offers more poke, more practicality, and, of course, greater snob value. It is, after all, a luxury badge. And oh, it’s an SUV — the country’s most-loved automotive format right now. The question is, does it live up to the promise? We had a brief interaction with the latest (and largest) Mini at the Buddh International Circuit during its launch, and here’s why the Countryman JCW deserves your attention.

Mini Countryman JCW Design & Styling: The Works

When John Cooper Works sprinkles its magic on a Mini, they go the whole nine yards — every component gets re-engineered to bring out the brand’s sporty alter ego. Now, the current-gen Countryman isn’t exactly a looker if you ask me. At 4.4 metres long, it’s hardly “mini”, and it tries a bit too hard to look SUV-ish when, in essence, it’s more of a jacked-up hatchback or a crossover at best. That said, the JCW makeover adds real intent. Plus, in its special British Racing Green, Legend Grey, and Midnight Black colour options, it looks properly menacing.

Adding yet more drama to its outer appearance are special 19-inch JCW wheels with red brake callipers, aggressive bumpers with loud red detailing, quad exhaust tips, and JCW badging all around. Okay, it won’t make you go weak in the knees, but it does exude a purposeful and racy stance.

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Mini Countryman JCW Interior & Practicality Review

Step inside and you’re greeted by a cabin drenched in JCW flair. There are electrically adjustable sport seats, a JCW steering wheel with aluminium paddles, the signature 9.4-inch circular OLED infotainment display, a panoramic sunroof, Level 1 ADAS, a head-up display, and a Harman Kardon audio system — all standard.

The all-black interior, finished in knitted fabric with red accents, feels both classy and sporty, while the signature toggle switches reinforce Mini’s go-kart-meets-retro design language. The rear compartment has generous space for two adults, and the sliding rear bench (by up to 130mm) helps free up more legroom or boot volume (500 litres as standard) as needed. Overall fit-and-finish levels feel premium.

Mini Countryman JCW Engine, Performance & Handling

Under the hood sits a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol that churns out 296bhp and 400Nm. Power is channelled to all four wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic and Mini’s ALL4 AWD system. With that setup, the Countryman JCW dispatches the 0–100km/h sprint in 5.4 seconds, half a second quicker than the Golf GTI.

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Out on the BIC, it built speed effortlessly, thanks to its seamless power delivery, rapid-fire shifts, and unflappable traction. It’s got the go, for sure, but what I don’t like is how it pretends to be going faster than it actually is, for the piped-in exhaust note dulls the authenticity. The brakes, however, are exceptional, offering strong bite and confidence to dive deep into corners.

Handling, too, feels properly sorted. Even from our limited, lead-car-paced run, it’s clear the JCW is a driver’s car through and through — taut suspension, direct steering, and phenomenal grip. That said, this sporty setup will be a bit of a bother on public roads as the ride quality will suffer.

Mini Countryman JCW Price, Verdict & Should You Buy It?

The Countryman JCW is aimed at keen drivers who primarily want three things — sports-car-like performance & handling, SUV-like practicality, and Mini’s iconic badge (& shape). It nails all three with surprising ease. Priced at ₹64.90 lakh (ex-showroom), it isn’t cheap, but it packs in performance, personality, and usability in a way few others in the segment do.

Now, whether it can truly challenge other performance cars around the ₹60-lakh mark is a question for another day — one where Mini lets us loose on the track without a lead car perhaps. Because after my brief stint at the BIC, I’ve been itching to unleash its full potential. And trust me, I can’t wait for that next go.

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