I drove one of these a couple of weeks ago just about fully loaded with the larger wheels. I thought it was an incredible price at $41k, big on the inside, dripping with personality and the materials were upscale and innovative. The performance was fast! Most of all I felt like I was driving something 10 years into the future especially with the infotainment screen and the interior's forward thinking design. But I was amazed how cumbersome it was to drive. It felt HUGE (but it’s not). I was nervous just trying to navigate the parking lot, let alone the city. Any feedback on that? Maybe it was just me. 🤷♂️
The exterior design I think lends itself to making the car feel big - I was shocked how big it looked when I first saw it. I didn’t drive much at all in the city so I can’t speak to that but in the suburbs the size faded away after a little bit
this is BARGAIN compared to MERCEDES and BMW counterparts! it's amazing to see this car at 51k! for a JCW variant! I just wish that all BMW Dealers also serviced and sold Mini coopers... not many mini cooper dealers around
Always enjoy your reviews, Matt! This one is great. I have the new Countryman S which has 241 horses but the same torque as the JCW version in this review. I love the Countryman S - the interiors are very similar. MINI don’t use leather anymore- it’s all vegan. They call it Vescin. It feels pretty darn good for a pleather! I don’t mine the BMW switchgear - makes sense not to reinvent the wheel 😊, because as you said, there is so much MINI-specific design and quirkiness. I never noticed the daisy Easter egg until I saw your review today. Very quirky! I sold an almost new 2024 Subaru Forester because I fell in love with the new Countryman. Feels like stepping 10 years into the future compared with the Subaru. It is mostly a German brand now of course, but I’ve watched loads of videos about this new German built Countryman and they did work with MINI HQ in Oxford, England on the design. So I’d say it has a German head and British heart! Thanks for an enjoyable and informative review!
Fully loaded JCW $50K, fully loaded X1 M35 $59K. I’m getting another Mini Countryman!!! In its Class: X1, X2, GLA, XT4, XC40, UX, NX, Q2 and probably some French or Italian and Premium VW we don’t get in America.
I have this exact JCW Countryman (though red roof/mirrors) and I absolutely love it. My 3rd MINI after a bit of a hiatus and I can’t help but have fun when I’m in it. The daisy on the infotainment screen, I took as some “flower power” 😂
We don’t really have the jcw in Ontario yet but I did try the countryman S and it drives pretty nice and technology wise is great and better but I’m glad I got my F60 JCW before they didn’t have any new ones
We actually have JCW since end of May. It's a little rocket, very torquey and more than enough power for daily use. Drives a bit better, more nimble than X1/X2 35i in my opinion. Center console loads very slow at startup, but besides that not much to complain so far.
@@ghutchison1I first bought the 2023 countryman S and I loved it but once I tested the jcw version I was sold the performance of the jcw is insane compared to the S but the new countryman S 2025 are actually pretty quick aswell
I don't know why but as a Mini fan I feel so mixed on this. I would turn the piped in audio off if possible. I would much rather see something like an adaptive exhaust system (it is a JCW after all). I also would take the M series X1 over this since Mini tend to not do as well as BMW on resale (even JCW when compared to an M Series car). That Countryman just feels like a causally dressed X series that is trying to call back some of that British charm without making the accountants upset. Mini sometimes now feels like the Scion of BMW.
Where have you heard, that a plug-in-hybrid version is coming? I have been hoping that they make the Countryman available as a PHEV, since that is exactly what I'm looking for, but I couldn't find anything about this topic.
Exhaust is eh … wish it had the classic jcw pops and gurgles … nothing a slight tune , muffler delete and straight pipe upgrade can fix … Other then that it’s a pretty dope car
I've heard / read that there's ambient lighting under the fabric-like material in the interior, but I can't find video/picture evidence of this. Could you do a nighttime PoV of the interior to show these off?
The lighting actually projects onto the dash fabric from behind the center display. Different colors and patterns based on the "experience" selected by toggling the switch
Special thanks to our Patreons for their support of the channel! Countryman JCW or X1 M35i?
X2m35i
X1 M35i Without a question
True
There is no way any one would know so it doesn’t really count
Unless you drive tons of BMWs there is no way a normal person would know which components are sourced from other brands.
you're probably right - sometimes it's hard to put myself in the mindset of "people get new cars every few years, not every week" lol oops
I drove one of these a couple of weeks ago just about fully loaded with the larger wheels. I thought it was an incredible price at $41k, big on the inside, dripping with personality and the materials were upscale and innovative. The performance was fast! Most of all I felt like I was driving something 10 years into the future especially with the infotainment screen and the interior's forward thinking design. But I was amazed how cumbersome it was to drive. It felt HUGE (but it’s not). I was nervous just trying to navigate the parking lot, let alone the city. Any feedback on that? Maybe it was just me. 🤷♂️
The exterior design I think lends itself to making the car feel big - I was shocked how big it looked when I first saw it. I didn’t drive much at all in the city so I can’t speak to that but in the suburbs the size faded away after a little bit
This need physical hvac switches, I will never want touch buttons for that stuff
this is BARGAIN compared to MERCEDES and BMW counterparts! it's amazing to see this car at 51k! for a JCW variant! I just wish that all BMW Dealers also serviced and sold Mini coopers... not many mini cooper dealers around
Always enjoy your reviews, Matt! This one is great. I have the new Countryman S which has 241 horses but the same torque as the JCW version in this review. I love the Countryman S - the interiors are very similar. MINI don’t use leather anymore- it’s all vegan. They call it Vescin. It feels pretty darn good for a pleather! I don’t mine the BMW switchgear - makes sense not to reinvent the wheel 😊, because as you said, there is so much MINI-specific design and quirkiness. I never noticed the daisy Easter egg until I saw your review today. Very quirky! I sold an almost new 2024 Subaru Forester because I fell in love with the new Countryman. Feels like stepping 10 years into the future compared with the Subaru.
It is mostly a German brand now of course, but I’ve watched loads of videos about this new German built Countryman and they did work with MINI HQ in Oxford, England on the design. So I’d say it has a German head and British heart! Thanks for an enjoyable and informative review!
😁🫶
Thanks for ypur review. Ordering one this monday ❤
Niiiiceeee
I love it so I'm off to a test drive this weekend.
have fun!
@@dwnshft Thanks!
You're a car guy, that's why you notice the BMW'isms.. Regular people like me wouldnt notice or know.. As long as the finishes look premium, I'm good.
Fully loaded JCW $50K, fully loaded X1 M35 $59K. I’m getting another Mini Countryman!!!
In its Class: X1, X2, GLA, XT4, XC40, UX, NX, Q2 and probably some French or Italian and Premium VW we don’t get in America.
Here in Australia, a fully loaded countryman costs AUD$80k, and a M35 X1/X2 costs AUD$100k+.
Kelton Fork
Gulgowski Throughway
Beahan Turnpike
Kayli Neck
I have this exact JCW Countryman (though red roof/mirrors) and I absolutely love it. My 3rd MINI after a bit of a hiatus and I can’t help but have fun when I’m in it. The daisy on the infotainment screen, I took as some “flower power” 😂
Veronica Wall
Wisozk Village
Nikolaus Turnpike
Jacobson Ranch
Ward Orchard
Cesar Mountains
Gusikowski Crest
Brakus Ramp
Adell Highway
Erica Village
Torrey Park
Seth Bridge
Misael Lodge
Ephraim Way
Green Lane
Kovacek Mill
Hate the fabric dash!
Kutch Dale
Interior is really disappointing. No rev counter and speedometer as in the older JCW Countryman
Lilyan Junctions
its quirky because its essentially a British designed car built in England, using bmw parts.
Daniel Via
Zelma Fords
Suscrito 😊
JUST PUT A BIGGER MOTOR WE DONT NEED NO EVS OR HYBRID CRAP........WERE OVER THEIR MIND CONTROL CRAP....
This new interior is severely bland compared to the previous generation. BMW fails again
you should see the dash at night. different modes light it up in fun, different ways
Ali Streets
EV and hybridized veresions will come with 1/2 ton more weight. Ummmm - no thank you. I’ll take the ICE one.
How harsh is the ride really? Is it harsh enough that you'd consider getting the smaller wheels?
it's not that bad honestly - it's going to be fine to have your family in i'm thinkin
It’s those funny looking wheels
VonRueden Fields
Armstrong Village
O'Connell Spring
Larson Land
Sheridan Springs
Fadel Track
McKenzie Plains
Roger Station
Spencer Underpass
Torphy Mount
Kelvin Burg
Gladyce Flats
Arlie Springs
Hand Trafficway
We don’t really have the jcw in Ontario yet but I did try the countryman S and it drives pretty nice and technology wise is great and better but I’m glad I got my F60 JCW before they didn’t have any new ones
We actually have JCW since end of May. It's a little rocket, very torquey and more than enough power for daily use. Drives a bit better, more nimble than X1/X2 35i in my opinion. Center console loads very slow at startup, but besides that not much to complain so far.
I was considering the F60 JCW when they went on sale, but I have been very happy with the Countryman S.
@@StereoHound it is a great car and really good tech. I was surprised when the car did the lane changes for me when on autopilot
@@ghutchison1I first bought the 2023 countryman S and I loved it but once I tested the jcw version I was sold the performance of the jcw is insane compared to the S but the new countryman S 2025 are actually pretty quick aswell
Sincere Lakes
Ritchie Field
Vern Motorway
Clement Fall
Hamill Coves
Kirlin Cove
Dicki Villages
Reilly Circle
Tyrese Divide
Sauer Lodge
Farrell River
Kihn Knoll
Karlee Mall
Kailee Light
I don't know why but as a Mini fan I feel so mixed on this. I would turn the piped in audio off if possible. I would much rather see something like an adaptive exhaust system (it is a JCW after all). I also would take the M series X1 over this since Mini tend to not do as well as BMW on resale (even JCW when compared to an M Series car). That Countryman just feels like a causally dressed X series that is trying to call back some of that British charm without making the accountants upset. Mini sometimes now feels like the Scion of BMW.
Yeah you could turn off the engine audio sound
Where have you heard, that a plug-in-hybrid version is coming? I have been hoping that they make the Countryman available as a PHEV, since that is exactly what I'm looking for, but I couldn't find anything about this topic.
Exhaust is eh … wish it had the classic jcw pops and gurgles … nothing a slight tune , muffler delete and straight pipe upgrade can fix …
Other then that it’s a pretty dope car
Ordered one today
nice! enjoy!
Also touch screen while driver not as convenient as old BMW control before
So shit that they still don’t do a rear mount tow bar for mtb rack!
Zemlak Mill
I've heard / read that there's ambient lighting under the fabric-like material in the interior, but I can't find video/picture evidence of this. Could you do a nighttime PoV of the interior to show these off?
The lighting actually projects onto the dash fabric from behind the center display. Different colors and patterns based on the "experience" selected by toggling the switch
You should have busted out your British accent for this review . .It's a Mini for crying out loud! :)
lol I did it for the Clubman video yesterday!
@@dwnshft Oh that’s fab… can’t wait to see it! Cheers!
I’m pretty certain this doesn’t have a DCT. It’s a ZF8 torque-converter automatic transmission. Not even BMW M cars get DCTs anymore.
I think the front wheel drive bmws get DCT if I am not mistaken
Oh that’s interesting, I didn’t know that
It’s a DCT the bigger bmw cars have the ZF
SUPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!