Key Points
- Cars.com editors liked the 2025 Mini John Cooper Works Countryman’s roomy interior, peppy powertrain, fun driving dynamics, unexpected optional equipment and unique styling.
- However, we found the Countryman’s new dual-clutch automatic transmission hinders the driving experience and that the circular center display is a bit busy. There may also be better alternatives in the price range.
As the largest member of the Mini family, the Countryman combines the distinctive styling and whimsical attitude of its siblings with the practicality of four doors, added cargo room and standard all-wheel drive. The John Cooper Works variant is the most performance focused of the Countryman trims, all of which were treated to a redesign for the 2025 model year.
Related: 2025 Mini John Cooper Works Countryman Review: More in Some Ways, But Not Where You’d Think
Much like the rest of the Mini lineup, the Countryman has grown a little less mini with each generation. The third-generation Countryman is no exception, getting a more spacious interior along with styling tweaks and added tech. While it thankfully retains the fun-to-drive demeanor Mini is known for, the latest Countryman is closer in size to an Audi Q3 or BMW X1 than a Mini of old. (The Countryman continues into 2026 with minimal changes.)
Cars.com Managing Editor Joe Bruzek spent a week getting thoroughly acquainted with a Mini Countryman in the John Cooper Works trim, and he found a few surprises. Tap the link above to read his expert review, or read on for a quicker look at five things we like about the 2025 Mini John Cooper Works Countryman and three things we do not.
What Do We Like About the Mini Countryman John Cooper Works?
1. Less Mini Inside
The redesign brings a roomier interior to the largest member of the Mini family, resulting in plenty of room for 6-footers up front, as well as enough room in back for larger individuals to ride comfortably for reasonable distances. You’ll also find a decent 16.8 cubic feet of storage space behind the rear seat, about the same as a Subaru Impreza. The rear seatbacks can be folded for longer items, and there’s another generously sized concealed storage compartment under the rear floor.
2. Powerful Powertrain
With a 312-horsepower, turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the JCW Countryman is no slouch once it gets going. At full throttle, acceleration is impressive with launch control and will push you back in your seat, resulting in a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 5.2 seconds.
3. Still Maximum Fun
As with pretty much any Mini, the redesigned Countryman is a hoot to drive. An adjustable adaptive suspension lets drivers dial in settings to their liking and includes a Go Kart mode (even if that might seem redundant with a Mini). On any other setting, however, the updated Countryman feels less engaging and athletic than the previous version, which had better steering feel and response.
4. Bonus Features
Unexpected features include an available hands-free driving mode that works at speeds up to 37 mph and includes automatic lane changes. Augmented reality navigation is also available, as is an interior camera that allows for all-important selfies and videos or to monitor the car when you’re not around. There’s even optional active driver’s-seat bolsters that become more or less aggressive depending on which driving mode is chosen.
5. No Cookie Cutter
In an age of so many virtually indistinguishable SUVs, the Countryman stands out with its distinctively Mini style. It looks like nothing else on the road, with fun design elements like a fabric dash with red accents in an interesting pattern and the Mini trademark circular multimedia screen with vivid graphics. Most controls are of the digital variety, with a few retro toggles for the shifter and starting the engine. A helpful head-up display supplements the center display and provides a lot of useful information easily accessible ahead of the driver.
Read More Mini News Coverage on Cars.com:
- Mini Releases Pricing for Full 2026 Lineup
- 2025 Mini Countryman SE All4 Quick Spin: Now Fully Electric
- Who Makes the Mini Cooper?
- How Do Car Seats Fit in a 2025 Mini Countryman?
- Research the Mini Countryman
What Do We Dislike About the Mini Countryman John Cooper Works?
1. Dual-Clutch Dilemma
312 hp sounds like more than enough to propel a subcompact SUV in fine fashion, but with a drop of 30 pounds-feet of torque, the Countryman JCW is severely hampered by the new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Countryman struggles to smoothly get underway from a standstill, resulting in more leisurely acceleration than expected.
2. Busy Screen
The circular display in the center of the dash is an iconic Mini feature, based on the centrally mounted speedometer of its forebears. The problem is, however, that its shape doesn’t work as well as a rectangular layout for things like Apple CarPlay, and there just isn’t room for everything designers have opted to cram into the screen. Fortunately, the head-up display picks up some of the slack.
3. Pricey Proposition
Our tested Mini Countryman in the JCW trim came to $51,995 with options and destination fee, getting into some territory that offers plenty of appealing alternatives (a base Countryman starts at about $40,000). Electric vehicles such as the Kia EV6 and Tesla Model Y offer similar acceleration and handling for similar money, while gasoline-powered hatchbacks in that range include the Volkswagen Golf R.
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