The Mini John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 is the largest Mini to be offered to date.
It also offers a good balance of versatility and performance with a four-door sedan that stays true to the car’s retro design. With engine output up 39 horsepower over the previous JCW-engine Minis, there is 228 horsepower on tap with an enhanced drivetrain and suspension to make good use of the additional power.
LIKES
The car is well-balanced, with solid road-holding and little body lean. The engine provides lots of torque for spirited driving and provides a nice-sounding exhaust note.
WHAT’S BEST
The car is great fun to drive in sport mode, where the driver manually shifts the automatic transmission with the shift lever. The car’s interior provides a polished fit and finish. The controls and gauges are a little different from the usual Mini offering but are user-friendly. The seats are firm, but comfortable.
WHAT’S WORST
The ride is noisy on concrete roads or pavement strips and the heads-up display is obscured by reflections in the windshield when the sun hits it at certain angles.
OVERALL
The Mini, no matter what version, has always been a fun and zippy car to drive. The JCW Countryman ALL4 is certainly that but provides a high level of usefulness with its size and all-wheel-drive. Far from an econobox, this entry into the small SUV crossover market provides enough options and upscale packages to satisfy all.
DETAILS
BASE PRICE: $38,890
PRICE AS TESTED: $48,730
ENGINE: 2.0-liter inline four, turbocharged.
POWER/TORQUE: 228 HP, 258 LB-FT.
FUEL MILEAGE: 9.2L/100 km, overall.
DRIVETRAIN: Eight-speed automatic with 3.2:1 final drive ratio / Six-speed manual with 4.05:1 final drive ratio / Brembo brake system / P225/35R/19 tires.
SPECIFICATIONS: Weight: 1657 KG (3653 LB) / Wheelbase: 2669 MM (105.1”) / Fuel capacity: 61 L / Storage space: 450 L (1390 L with rear seats folded).
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