2 WORST And 9 BEST Things About The 2025 MINI Countryman JCW

MINI Countryman JCW or BMW X1 M35i?
-
Get your eyewear here...20% off everything!
Code: downshift_mk2

(coupon automatically applied at checkout when using this link)

The above links are affiliate links where Downshift will receive a kick-back from your order
--

Follow Downshift to see what's coming next!

--

0:00 - Intro

BAD

0:24 - Not so MINI

0:59 - Too much BMW

GOOD

1:41 - The MINI Character

2:38 - The JCW Chili (engine)

3:20 - The Drive

3:57 - Design

5:05 - Other powertrains coming

5:29 - Cargo

5:54 - Rear seats

6:32 - Tech

7:44 - Price

8:22 - POV Drive

[dwnshft]

Special thanks to our Patreons for their support of the channel! Countryman JCW or X1 M35i?

[jbwise]

Unless you drive tons of BMWs there is no way a normal person would know which components are sourced from other brands.

[BrittneyGuiou]

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” 😂

[KuyaArbee]

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

[Sajikibara]

This need physical hvac switches, I will never want touch buttons for that stuff

[wackit]

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. 🤷‍♂️

[jamesp]

Drove a Countryman All4 S last weekend. Absolutely loved the pickup, the handling, the different driving modes, the quirkiness, and the looks. A+!

Hated that everything is controlled via the big touch pad. I dont want to fiddle through menus when I am driving, and this touchpad was clunkier than most (looked fun, but not practical).

Also, to me, the point of the Mini Cooper is that it looks like a ... Mini Cooper; with classic round shapes and bold stripes. This model looks like a cousin twice removed. The exterior does not match the quirkiness of the interior.

[cmfsart]

Thanks for ypur review. Ordering one this monday ❤

[angusmacdonald]

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!

[CrazyCalifornia]

Great review, I’m in the uk and have just ordered one for my wife, had many BMW’s but the Countryman has a lot more personality IMO for her. Plus it’s a nippy car. 👌🏻

[cubguy]

you should see the dash at night. different modes light it up in fun, different ways

[ASK]

Also touch screen while driver not as convenient as old BMW control before

[johnfilardi]

Leasing a countryman, really fun to drive, handles great and pretty fast for its size

[awaken]

I do love it, that would be my next car. Looks nice, sporty character, and very practical at the same time

[ArcaneCoyote]

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?

[michaelschneider]

Is the 369 camera and active driver assist standard on the jcw

[Calamari_]

The hardest decision imma make is to get the JCW or the S. I could live without the sportyness... but also, its always nice to have.

[TheCXTKRS]

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.

[LJ-cpqs]

How harsh is the ride really? Is it harsh enough that you'd consider getting the smaller wheels?

[Bemitchy]

So shit that they still don’t do a rear mount tow bar for mtb rack!