Mini Countryman JCW All4 : First impressions

Now, “Mini” is really just a state of mind at this point. The Countryman JCW All4 is anything but mini when you walk around it. It’s broader, brawnier, and far more self-assured than its cutesy badge suggests. Yet, it carries the same mischief in its eyes as the Cooper, just with bigger muscles and a deeper wallet. Under that compact SUV shell lies a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine pushing out 300hp and 400Nm, channelled to all four wheels through an 8-speed transmission. It’s the same base motor you’ll find in some spirited BMWs, but here it’s been fettled to fit Mini’s hyperactive personality.

The “All4” in the name isn’t marketing fluff. Mini’s electro-mechanical all-wheel-drive system constantly shuffles power between the axles depending on grip levels and driver intent. Up to 50% of the power can be sent to the rear when things get spirited, but in day-to-day cruising, it prioritises efficiency by staying mostly front-driven. It’s fast-thinking and invisible in operation, letting you just focus on extracting the joy from the tarmac. Add an electronic locking differential at the front and a bespoke JCW suspension tune, and you’ve got a Mini that hugs corners tighter than a toddler clinging to its ice cream.

Then there’s the design Mini’s greatest magic trick. From a distance, the Countryman looks like it’s been hitting the gym and eating its greens, but up close, you see the brand’s trademark quirk intact. The chunky JCW-specific bumpers, red mirror caps, and subtle aero bits scream “playtime” without going overboard. Inside, that playfulness matures into something distinctly premium.

Front and centre sits the pièce de résistance, a 9.4-inch circular OLED infotainment display that looks like it belongs in a concept car, not a crossover. Built by Samsung, the screen is pure eye candy and Mini’s new BMW-derived OS makes it a joy to use, although there will be a learning curve attached to it due to its tendency to favour fun over function. Everything from the graphics to the animations feels intentionally cheeky. Switch to one of the “Experience Modes” and the cabin’s ambient lighting, sounds, and visuals change to match your mood. Want a calm evening drive home? Go for “Balance.” Feeling rowdy? “Go-Kart” mode sharpens the throttle, stiffens the steering, and lights up the cabin like a gaming rig.

Tech doesn’t stop there. The Countryman JCW All4 packs a head-up display, wireless charging, Level 2 ADAS, an in-cabin camera, and Mini’s Intelligent Personal Assistant that responds to “Hey Mini.” It’ll even adjust cabin temperature or tell you a joke if you ask nicely. The Harman Kardon audio system is predictably lush, and even though Mini pipes in some of the exhaust note through the speakers, it does make the experience a little more theatrical. The only catch? From the outside, that bark could use a bit more bite.

Out on the track, though, the JCW feels composed and serious about its newfound maturity. The 0–100 km/h sprint happens in a claimed 5.4 seconds, and while that’s not hypercar quick, it’s more than enough to plaster a grin. Steering feel is precise, and while the All4 system gives you endless grip, it also makes the Countryman a little too polite on track. There’s a touch of body roll through faster corners, even with the stiffer JCW suspension and the 19in wheels, although how it rides out in the real world is still up for debate. What stands out the moment you slam on the brakes going into the first corner at 220 km/hr is how strong and confidence-inspiring the upgraded brakes are. There was no fade, lap after lap and they just feel linear and progressive, with hardly any resistance from the front end.

The five laps I had at BIC were under the gentle tyranny of a pace car, so I never got to properly uncork the thing. But even in convoy, it’s clear that Mini’s done something clever here. The Countryman JCW All4 isn’t trying to be a track tool. Instead, it’s a hot hatch that grew up, got a respectable job, and started paying its taxes, but still sneaks out at night for a bit of fun. And that’s the charm, really. It’s faster, smarter, more spacious, and more comfortable than the Minis I once lusted after, but it hasn’t lost the brand’s sense of humour.

You can drive it to work in traffic, take the family to Goa, and still hit the hills on a Sunday morning without ever feeling like you compromised. Fifteen years ago, I wanted a Mini that would grow with me. Turns out, Mini built exactly that. It just took them, and me, a little while to get here.