Mini cars (the brand) carries forward a British heritage and pedigree now under the guise of German engineering.
Mini entered into existence as its own brand in 1969. Prior to that year, Mini served as a model name, the Austin Mini and Morris Mini specifically, both owned at the time by British Leyland and both very subcompact (thus the trunk-a-fied Miniature 'Mini' reference). Back in the late 1950s, a need arose surrounding fuel efficiency throughout the United Kingdom born out of the politically charged 1956 Suez crisis and emerging instability within the worldwide oil market.
The upscale German conglomerate BMW Group, based in Munich Germany, purchased the Rover Group (which earlier absorbed British Leyland) in 1996. A majority of Mini's sold worldwide assemble at two facilities: Oxford England and Born, Netherlands although our tester this week, the Mini Countryman, manufacturers in Germany. The Mini brand entered the U.S. with much fanfare back in 2002.
When staking Countryman against other company offerings, there's not much Mini about it. Pound for pound it's the biggest of the bunch and quite possibly the most versatile. Four side doors and a rear power hatch, hinged at the top, which opens up from the bottom. The 2025 model year celebrates the arrival of the vehicle's third model generation with 5.1 additional inches of length, 0.9 inches more width and quite apparent 4.0 inches of height. The Countryman shares a platform with the BMW X1, a diminutive choice from the German automaker serving as a solid foundation.
The functional flat roof serves double duty as an art element available in several different color choices (white, black and our tester's silver) mixing and matching with nine exterior colors. The design also provides outstanding and class leading headroom in both rows. This third generation adds 2.5-inches of top-side headroom inside compared to the already airy outgoing second generation. Top hats and Abraham Lincoln impersonators/doppelgangers welcome although extra back row legroom requires friendly negotiation with front bucket seat travelers.
Mini proudly channels the spirit of bygone box-like transports including the Honda Element (2003-2011) and Scion xB (2003-2014), vehicles historically appealing to a wide demographic swath and multiple age groups although purposely targeted to the 'youth' market. Countryman's high side belt line, short rear overhang and circular wheel wells marry together multiple geometric shapes from squares to circles to rectangles while never taking itself too seriously. Exterior flush mounted door handles disengage with a lift-up action in body color fashion. Hints of the United Kingdom 's Flag intersperse inside stout capital D shaped rear taillights flanking the hatch door (one of three adjustable light signatures) and inside within the multi-function digital screen. Front headlight framing also enjoy three adjustable LED signatures.
Just in case anyone questions the vehicle's make, puddle lamps under the sideview mirrors project the Mini logo onto the ground after dark.
Inside, expect additional, 'dare-to-be-different,' distinctions and playful attitudes helping the brand distinguish itself from just about any compact or subcompact around. It's a conversation starter standing out in a crowded parking lot of curvy crossovers.
As of 2025, three Mini franchises occupied the Chicagoland area: Patrick Mini of Schaumburg, Bill Jacobs Mini of Naperville and Mini of Glencoe/ North Shore in Glencoe. Step into any of these showrooms to check out the 2025 lineup including the four-door Countryman, two-door Cooper, two-door Cooper convertible and Cooper four door. Recently retired, the four-door Clubman with unique split rear doors hinged at the ends and opening out from the middle.
Three 2025 Countryman trim levels include a base S with standard Midwest friendly all-wheel drive (which Mini markets as 'ALL4'), an up-level JCW, also with standard ALL4, and an all-electric EV variant dubbed SE starting at $45,200. The JCW letter trio references 'John Cooper Works' representing the performance choice and reflecting the spirit of John Cooper Works racing.
In addition to added growth and girth, this new third generation adds an additional layer of high-tech safety. Blind spot detection, sadly lacking prior to 2024, now comes standard. Also new, a 360-degree camera system providing a bird's eye view of the surrounding captured within the center multi-function screen. This aids when maneuvering tight parking spots, something the urban-ready Mini Countryman excels.
Other notable upgrades include standard Smartphone wireless connectivity, allowing Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to operate without cord plug-in connection. Countryman also includes four newer USB C plug ports but forgoes the older-style USB A type. Additional sound insulation keeps interiors nicely quiet when in the city or traversing the open road.
Under hood, Mini takes advantage of maximum punch with an impressive 2.0-liter turbo inline four cylinder delivering 241 horsepower in S editions, with JCW pumping up horses to 312 via special tunning. Both team and connect to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. The 23 miles per gallon city and 30 mpg highway is less than expected for a compact or subcompact vehicle and strongly recommends mid-grade 89 octane fuel or above.
A performance-oriented dual clutch transmission blends together the worlds of manual and automatic transmissions, tweaking fuel economy while providing lightning quick gear switches with no interruptions in propulsion power. This parallel gearbox design requires no foot clutch found within the manual transmission world while eliminating the heavy torque converter found within conventional automatics. Clutch one handles odd gears (1,3,5,7) while the second clutch tackles even ones (2,4,6) plus reverse. From a layman's point of view, it's a performance upgrade to a conventional automatic and historically associated with premium brands. The folks at BMW, Mini's parent overlord, have utilized this advanced yet simple transmission for years with improved performance.
This combination of a dual clutch transmission mated to a twin turbo four wrapped in a subcompact or compact package usually reserves for high-end luxury vehicles with a zero to 60 time in under six seconds. The engine continues providing a pleasant audio hum when mashing the pedal to the medal despite added insulation. Mini's association with BMW allows the more mainstream Mini to enjoy perks and access to such advanced combinations. Good news for consumers.
Standard engine start/stop functioning, which automatically shuts down the engine at prolonged stops before waking back to life once depressing the accelerator pedal, rates as one of the least intrusive, and barely perceivable when stacked against other brands with similar technology. Those who wish may disconnect operation by a dashboard push-button interacting with a center touch screen. Steering wheel paddle shifters include a 'boost' option, which operates a 10-second burst of aggressive driver settings not dissimilar from some sport modes.
Our all-wheel drive 2025 Countryman John Cooper Works (JCW) started at $46,900. A $2,400 iconic trim package included privacy glass, power front seats (which should be standard at this starting price although a heated function come standard) and interior camera. A $900 comfort package max added wireless Smartphone charging, auto dimming rear view mirror and comfort access key less entry. Single factory options included performance brakes ($500), remote engine start ($300) and twenty-inch sport tires ($600). A comparatively bargain-rate $995 destination fee dropped the bottom line to $51,999 representing the poshest internal combustion Countryman available.
Upgrades JCW performance specs not available when ordering the base S include: 19-inch wheels vs 18-inch, sport-tuned brakes, backside quad exhaust, go-kart driving mode (joining seven others) and electronic suspension improving ride quality and handling.
The 8.0-inches of ground clearance measures 1.5-inches more than Countryman's second-generation effort deliver pleasant entry and exit. Once inside door handles resemble a 'C" clamp with an inside finger pull center rectangle allowing all four doors to swing open. The dash, doors and interior trim panels construct from 90-percent recycled materials with leather-free upholstery. JCW interior color choices include Vescin Vintage Brown, Vescin Dark Petrol and Vescin Beige.
A traditional rectangular instrument panel inlet doesn't make the cut inside Countryman. Instead, a clear square, polyurethane-like flat screen retracts up from the region directly fore of the steering wheel on the top dash once the ignition summons and quietly sinks below deck with the ignition off. Grabbing an old-school ruler, the thin screen 'head up driver display' measures seven inches across. It's part of the diminutive head's up display containing basic IP information within a pared down canvas. A sharper image projects onto the screen rather than a ghostly-type image often put forth onto the front windshield with older designs. At first, skepticism filled my craw when first situating behind the wheel, but the smaller screen, at eye level, proved basic stats with additional information detailed to the immediate right.
The diminutive screen makes way for a black fabric trimmed dashboard with artistic red vertical accents cascading from end to end. Four uniform sized vertical air vents with rounded corners intersperse throughout the dashboard, taller and narrower than last year.
Yet another unique Mini conversation starter resides in the upper center dash in the form of a 9.4-inch multi-function display without the traditional landscape or portrait layout. Instead, Mini goes round and round in a perfect circle, with a design somewhat resembling an ultra-thin dinner plate plastered to, yet extending slightly out from the center dash, albeit one with very sharp and crisp color visuals. The official designation is " Mini Interaction Unit, Operating System 9;" based upon Samsung's OLED technology. Last year's design also promoted a center circle, but this year's update creates a three-dimensional effect.
Below the center plate resides a row of electronic push/twist tabs each uniquely designed and tasked with invaluable functions to get moving and grooving. At the far left, a diminutive flat tab gear shifter; motivate up for reverse, down for drive. Park engages from a small star-like button to its left. Moving eastward, a thin start/stop knob; twist right to start, left to stop. Next, an 'expression' tab exploring drive and interior modes. At the eastern end, a circular dial turning the sound system on/off, monitoring volume and selecting station presets with a left or right press. Also nearby, two quick-summon convenience buttons summoning front and rear defrosting.
The 'Expressions' mode selector sets the mood inside and out. Toggle to the 'Balance' option and the circular screen turns a cool blue with sizeable analog-style speedometer gauge (all-digital of course) and a lower back massage session built into the driver's seat. Choose the 'Green" mode and fuel and power graphics dominate the center screen with the engine optimized to extend fuel. Green mood-setting pen lighting extends front the dashboard to all four doors.
No matter the screen mode selected, an inside icon expands the newly available blind spot detection to include full-screen animated graphics. Rather than a camera feed providing real-time video found within some competitors (usually high-end varieties), Countryman's style relies upon computer graphics of the Mini driving forward into the horizon, with icons of other nearby vehicles represented in gray-like animation also moving in real time. The system mimics real-time circumstances no matter if traveling a four-lane highway or two-lane street with approaching or speeding-by vehicles providing an experience and details one step above a conventional video feed.
Below, a flat shelf for Smartphone rest and optional wireless recharge with a final bottom step serving as a storage nook. With the diminutive transmission shifter built into the center console, side-by-side dual beverage holders occupy the now snug region between front buckets along with box-like square storage bin with manual pull top. A narrow sliding armrest offers elbow comfort but no storage.
Gone from last year and the previous generation; three easy-grab twist dials monitoring climate control. The HVAC commands now run through this screen with a constant horizontal template present at the bottom of the screen for quick call ups of temperature settings, audio, home, navigation and phone pairing.
Second row backrests include a 40/20/40 split and fold once bottom tucked cloth pull tabs in the crease between cushion and seatback manually activate.
As with many luxury automakers and a growing number of mainstream competitors, Mini includes a nice perk redeemable at participating dealers: three years (or 36,000 miles) of complimentary maintenance (oil/filter changes, spark plug/brake fluid inspection, etc.). It's a nice reason to keep in touch with the dealer and keep the new investment running smoothly.
With 26,229 units sold throughout the U.S. in calendar year 2024, Mini finds itself as a niche product compared against parent company BMW sales of 371,346 units delivered during the same 12-month time frame.
Countryman costs a pretty penny more than conventional compact crossovers, but against luxury-branded competitors, creates a ponderable transaction. The Mini brand and early models were never intended to conjure up luxury vibes, but with plenty of BMW technologies now on board, makes a case for hidden value wrapped within a hipster look.
At A Glance
2025 Mini Countryman JCW
Price as tested: $51,995
Engine: 2.0-liter twin turbo four
Horsepower: 312
Wheelbase: 106.0 inches
Overall Length: 175.1 inches
Overall Height: 65.2 inches
Overall Width: 72.6 inches
Fuel Economy: 23 mpg city /30 mpg highway
Curb weight: 3,792 pounds
Assembly: Leipzig, Germany
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