Mini Countryman JCW ALL4 Favoured – Bigger and better than ever.  

TL;DR: The Mini Countryman JCW ALL4 may be the biggest Mini ever, but it still delivers the punchy personality that defines the brand. Its spirited engine, throaty exhaust, and hot hatch handling make it an impressive package. While it is not the fastest in its segment, the character and balanced pricing ($83,990) help it hold its own against rivals. 

When the Mini Countryman first arrived, it stirred up plenty of scepticism; how can a crossover SUV be considered a Mini? To this day, opinions are split on whether the Countryman is considered a Mini. However, there is no denying that it has become part of the brands core identity and one of its strongest sellers. 

The latest generation increases the Countryman’s already physical dimensions again and represents the largest Mini model. We tested the range-topping JCW ALL4 Favoured edition, which blends just the right ingredients to create a recipe that delivers genuine excitement.

This isn’t just any ordinary Mini Countryman. The JCW ALL4 is a performance focused version that includes upgraded brakes, active suspension, and special design elements. You see, JCW stands for John Cooper Works, Mini’s in-house tuning and performance division. Additionally, ALL4 stands for Mini’s all-wheel drive system, which is based on BMW’s xDrive.

At $83,990 for the JCW ALL4, it offers a strong engine, agile handling, and sharp styling that stands out from the crowd. When stacked against its rivals, the JCW ALL4 is reasonably priced, with the alternatives being the Cupra Formentor VZ ($87,500), VW T‑Roc R ($79,490), Audi SQ2 ($92,490), and even the BMW X2 M35i ($110,800) – which shares the same platform. 

The JCW ALL4 packs a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 221kW and 400Nm. On paper, it trails behind some of its rivals, however, on the road it delivers far more character and oomph. There is a noticeable turbo lag, but when it finally spools up, it launches the Countryman with an aggression you don’t quite expect.  

Mini claims the JCW ALL4 will do 0-100km/h in 5.4 seconds, and from behind the wheel, it feels like it could do it. Adding to the drama is the exhaust; it’s one of the best sounding symphonies we’ve heard in a long time from a hatchback and delivers a throaty growl that barks through the gear changes.

With a rated fuel economy of 8.3L/100km, the JCW ALL4 can (in theory) provide a frugal enough drive to be driven daily. However, its infectious energy and lively personality make it incredibly hard to achieve close to that kind of figure.

Power is delivered through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that can feel a bit jerky around town. However, this is characteristic of dual-clutch transmissions, and the JCW ALL4 redeems itself with quick gear changes when using the steering wheel paddles in manual mode.

The four-wheel drive system is based on BMW’s xDrive, but whereas the BMW version is biased towards the rear wheels, the Mini version is the opposite. This means you get both impressive grip when needed and hot-hatch type handling around town. For example, it suffers from torque steer when accelerating onto the motorway, pushing you alarmingly towards the edge of your lane. 

The interior has been given a small spruce up. Physical buttons have been kept to a minimum and lighting effects are more prominent, including a light projector behind the infotainment screen that illuminates the dashboard. A Vescin/Cord fabric-like material sweeps around the cockpit and doors, giving the cabin a soft and welcoming feeling.

The signature rounded infotainment screen remains – this time enlarged to dinner plate size. It houses the infotainment, climate control, driving data, MINI Augmented Reality Navigation, and has seemingly infinite customisable options. It’s an unusual design element, but one that works surprisingly well. 

Instead of a traditional instrument cluster, Mini uses a heads-up display on the dashboard for key driving data. It’s an odd choice as some find heads-up displays difficult to see, but it works in practice and doesn’t detract heavily from the experience.

Mini has fitted the JWC ALL4 with a suite of ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) – such as autonomous emergency braking and blind spot and lane change warning – that perform reliably without feeling overly intrusive. The ADAS system strikes a good balance between support and allowing driver-focused engagement. 

The JWC ALL4 may not match its rivals for outright speed and power, but it does deliver genuine flair and charm. The way the power is delivered, the exhaust barks, and even the unrefined feeling of torque steer makes the Countryman unique. It’s imperfect, but those imperfections are what makes it endearing.

In many ways, the JWC ALL4 feels like a modern take on a back-to-basics car; one that is designed for enjoying everyday journeys. It prioritises personality over perfection and that is what makes it so appealing. While it may no longer embody the ethos of a Mini physically, it makes up for all that in how it drives.