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The Mini Countryman JCW ALL4 is on a tear.
When is a car not a car? When it is a Mini Countryman John Cooper Works ALL4 SUV. But that mouthful doesn’t mean it’s a straight SUV either. It’s a John Cooper Works vehicle too, which puts it at the top of the Mini food chain, as far as the Countryman is concerned. It also makes it one of the cool kids when it comes to hoots per mile. At Napleton News, we are all about being cool and giving hoots. That’s why you should read along!
It’s a vehicle loaded with personality and more. The Mini Cooper S Countryman is powered by a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine making 189 horsepower and 206 lb-ft of torque. The JCW ALL4 takes the same engine and boosts it up to 301 horsepower 331 lb-ft of twist for an added kick in the pants! This engine sends all the power to the pavement with an 8-speed automatic transmission and GKN all-wheel drive system. Speed tops out at a very satisfying 155 mph.
The Mini Countryman John Cooper Works ALL4 looks like a Mini that has spent a couple of years in the gym. (Or juicing up, but that’s not healthy) Still, it brings a strong Mini vibe to your daily travails, even if it’s just a run to and from work or to the home improvement store.
Our special JCW ALL4 was finished in Gunmetal Metallic with a red contrasting roof cap and appropriate badging. The headlights have unique daylight running light rings around them as well as a distinctive bit of brightwork around the grille. There are also other red bits for contrast around the outside of the ALL4 including uprights in the grille and mirror caps on both sides.
Let’s start with the elephant, er, gauge cluster in the room. We mean the centrally-located gauge display/infotainment display that is the visual centerpoint for gauges, media, radio, mobile connectivity, and even climate controls. It has been a Mini trademark for years. There is a small folding screen for head-up display so you don’t have to move your eyes off the road. The view forward is enhanced by the light-through-fabric design of the dashboard that changes colors as often as your mood does.
The Countryman has room for four passengers or five in a pinch. The seats are comfortable for the long haul and the rear seats fold down in the typical 60:40 split fashion. The cargo space goes from 15.9 cubic feet, with the seatbacks in an upright position. Fold them forward and that space grows to 47.5 cubic feet.
Like all Minis, the Countryman is an absolute hoot to drive. And it doesn’t really matter what mode you may be in. What’s a mode you ask? There are many. They include Green, Mid, Sport, Snow, Trail, Timeless, Balance, Personal and wait for it…Go-Kart Mode! Forget all the others. This one is our favorite. Go-Kart mode remaps the throttle and basically converts the JCW into a rocket on four wheels.
Getting behind the wheel of a Mini places you in a special club. It’s one that most people will never experience, unfortunately. It’s quite a pity because there is literally nothing else like it in the automotive world. And truth be told, it tends to drive like a go-kart, regardless of what mode you are actually in.
So hop inside, buckle up and as they say in Mini talk, “Let’s Motor.”
| Engine Type | Intercooled Turbo Inline 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 301 hp @ 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | 331 lb-ft @ 1,750 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined/City/Hwy) | 26/24/30 MPG |
| Suspension F/R | McPherson Strut / Multi-link |
| Turning Circle | 37.4 ft. |
| Also Available | Countryman S, Hybrid, more. |
| Specs | |
| Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 4 years/ 50,000 miles |
| NHTSA Safety Rating | 4-stars/td> |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Wheelbase | 105.1 inches |
| Overall Length | 169.7 inches |
| Width | 71.7 inches |
| Height | 61.3 inches |
| Cargo Room (Behind 1st, 2nd row) | 47.6 / 17.6 Cubic Feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.5 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd | 40.0 inches |
| Legroom, 1st | 40.4 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd | 37.6 inches |
| Shoulder room, 1st row | 54.8 inches |
| Shoulder room, 2nd row | 54.0 inches |
This post was published on May 30, 2025
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