John Cooper Works MINI Countryman SUV test

The breadth of the automotive industry has a beautiful charm in that it can churn out cool mass vehicles, super sports uniques, various electric cars, but also boring zoomers.

In this diverse mish-mash, in which mainly battery-powered models have been appearing lately, we found something non-electric, very stylish and, above all, great driving. Motorists, here comes the Mini Countryman from John Cooper Works (JCW).

For many years, the Mini brand has been under the wing of BMW, which, with some exceptions, is either reasonably moderate in design, monstrously opulent, or dynamically sporty. The biggest “funky” venture in recent years was the advertisement for the first X2, which was depicted “upside down” in the Czech Republic along with the slogan “put your head up”. And by the way, they had measles at the headquarters of the Bayerische Motoren Werke.

So, when the second BMW X2 arrived, we were not surprised. The design transformation! But only with the arrival of the new Mini Countryman, especially in the John Cooper variant, did we realize that something really happened in Munich, because a “really water-bound model” saw the light of day.

The dynamic character of this slightly angular SUV directly radiates, which is also complemented by the front diode headlights with three selectable daytime running modes (notice in the photos). The R20 alloy wheels with 245/40 tires, behind which there are optional Performance brakes with red calipers, are also eye-catching.

The boxy rear is then closed by a trunk lid covering the 436 liter luggage compartment, LED taillights with adjustable graphics and four functional exhaust tips. In terms of appearance, it is the most stylish mass-produced Mini ever produced.

Don’t even sit inside, because here the designers have gone even further. For the sake of homologation, they chose a nice and colorful, but simple head-up display (the background of the display blends beautifully with the dashboard at night), however, the central touch disk is second to none.

On the one hand, it is an unusual solution, and also the level of graphics and software “features” proves that BMW hired really talented creative people to work on the info system. In short, the central “roundabout” is the center of all the action, and in addition, it changes its face eight times.

Countryman doesn’t just have driving profiles, it literally offers experiences that change the graphics and projector-mediated lighting in the cabin, thus resetting the drivetrain.

The standard is the Core mode represented by light blue color paying for the normal travel profile. Retro lovers and anyone who likes bright backgrounds will definitely appreciate the Timeless mode, which automatically brings an old-school digital tachometer to life.

If it’s raining a lot outside or you want to drive on fuel, you turn on green mode, which results in e.g. shifting into neutral every time you release the gas pedal. The next mode is intended for slightly dynamic driving, as it changes the backlight to red and starts focusing the music being played in front.

Even the Go-Kart hides the true dynamic profile, which switches the car to sport mode and, if desired, reduces stabilization. In addition, artificial dynamic sounds (which can be turned off) are clearly noticeable here.

If you’ve had enough of the wilds, the balanced Balance profile is suitable, with which you can start the massage of the seat, if the vehicle is equipped with it. Exclusively for the Countryman, Trail mode is also available, which will come in handy in light terrain. The eight profiles are then closed by the possibility of individual settings.

Other games then include, for example, changing the navigation arrow to a toy car, the turntable of the Spotify application or a detailed inspection of the 3D model of the car in the average consumption menu. However, the infosystem runs on the Android platform, even with regard to connectivity, but this takes its toll.

Before the whole “circus” starts, it takes an inadequately long time by BMW standards. Because of this, we also called the Czech representative office of the brand, where they confirmed that they are aware of this feature and that the loading speed will be improved by software.

The fact that the car is loaded with electronics and an army of control units that have to communicate with each other in various ways does not contribute to the greater speed of the system. BMW also added that this problem will disappear in Neue Klasse vehicles thanks to the completely new architecture. So we take note, but we’ll check next year when the news arrives.

However, we don’t end there, because you just have to look under the round screen, where the main control panel has its place. There, in addition to the lever shifters, you will also find a tasteful “wannabe key” starter or profile switch. In short, even these little things have been fine-tuned by the manufacturer.

Let’s not forget the ergonomic steering wheel with classic physical controls, which has a pleasant thickness and is easy to work with. Perhaps the shift paddles would not have to look like they are from a toy store, they would deserve a better material than thin plastic.

In any case, the door handles, heating exhaust regulators, plastics on the dashboard, upholstery of the door panels are also stylish. We are pleasantly surprised at how much the Mini designers played.

Nice things, however, are often not practical, which cannot be said about the Countryman. In a flurry of decorations, it offers decent storage spaces, drink holders, a phone or even a practical center box where you can put your keys, mobile phone, headphones and other small items of daily use.

We are also happy with the seats. The front ones are traditionally sporty, anatomical, adjustable and in a tested specification with a simple massage. The rear ones only have ISOFIX on the sides, but they are divided in a ratio of 40 : 20 : 40, which is not quite the rule for smaller SUVs.

Another pleasure is hidden under the hood and it is called a petrol two-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower, which is paired with a seven-speed sports automatic and all-wheel drive.

It can also be variable, because it works with an electro-hydraulic multi-plate clutch, which is controlled by an electrically driven hydraulic pump located at the rear axle. The power distribution ratio can thus be up to 50 to 50 between the axles.

The car’s agility is not lacking even in basic driving modes, as it willingly goes for the gas at the command of the right foot and the so-called turbo effect is minimal here. So the car has enough power, which also corresponds to the acceleration from zero to hundred in 5.4 seconds. But what about turns?

In sports mode, despite the SUV body, you will find yourself behind the wheel of a go-kart and you will not really understand how it is possible that the car is so precise, obedient and sticks to the asphalt like a hammer (we know, wheel track, tires…). You have a similar feeling as if you were driving a car in a video game. Miles of instant fun are definitely guaranteed with this practical funky box.

On the other hand, thanks to the modern construction, noise reduction and acoustic insulation, you have a reduced physical perception of that speed, because you float comfortably in the anatomical seat, let yourself be enveloped by the pleasant temperature, listening to high-quality audio from the Bowers & Wilkins workshops nourishes your emotions, and actually the only indicator of high speed is the numbers on the speedometer or the passing landscape slowly closing in on tunnel vision.

In general, with these road-going performance cars, you must not let that disguised speed get you drunk, because the laws of physics apply to drivers of Bavarians even in the coat of a British Mini. And how many times the saying “you have to stop at the best” applies as a golden rule.

Finally, we will also mention the combined consumption, which in our case reached less than 9 liters of gasoline per hundred, including highway movements and sporty-dynamic pleasures in Go-Kart mode. Is it too much for you? However, few people buy a John Cooper Works just to drive it for consumption.

The cheapest new Mini Countryman can be purchased as a front-wheel drive with a 170-horsepower gasoline engine and (always) an automatic transmission for CZK 874,900. The 163-horsepower diesel model starts at CZK 962,000, while the fully electric model with 204 horsepower and a range of up to 462 km costs from CZK 1,213,576. You will pay CZK 1,261,000 for the sharpest 300-horsepower gasoline Countryman 4 × 4 from the John Cooper workshops, while you will pay CZK 1,396,876 for the 313-horsepower and battery-powered one.