Is The £50,000 Mini Countryman John Cooper Works Worth The Price Tag?

Likeable and brimming with heritage, this pint-sized SUV is the biggest Mini on sale, but is the John Cooper Works model worth the hefty price tag? Jeremy Taylor and Jessica Talbot-Ponsonby discuss.

Test Drive: Mini Countryman John Cooper Works Electric

Jeremy: The Mini Countryman is the automotive equivalent of a Prada tote – a stylish accessory with a little more room inside than a Jimmy Choo clutch.

That’s because the latest generation Countryman is a small family SUV, rather than an urban runabout like its famous ‘60s predecessor. It has grown significantly in size compared to the fashionable original.

And while the Countryman’s increased dimensions aren’t exactly cute, they do translate to more generous passenger space, with plenty of headroom and legroom both front and back. 

Optional sliding and reclining rear seats add to the Mini’s versatility for family use, as well as boosting the luggage capacity; I can squeeze in four large suitcases with the back seats folded down. 

The Countryman interior is a major selling point, with an eye-catching circular touchscreen display and unique, sustainable materials on the dashboard and doors that feel premium to the touch. 

The infotainment system is generally responsive and offers cool ‘Experience’ modes to change the cabin’s ambiance. Go Timeless, Vivid, G-Kart or whatever your mood fancies – they all add a little fun to a drive.

A range of petrol engine and electric versions are available, including an efficient entry-level 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol (Countryman C) and a high-performance, 2.0-litre John Cooper Works (JCW) model.

Who is John Cooper? Famous for building some of the smallest and most successful motor racing vehicles, he revolutionised Grand Prix cars in the 1950s, later working on the original Mini to create the legendary Cooper, high performance models.

Our test car is the all-electric JCW model, with a 66.5kWh battery and 258bhp on tap. It pushes the Countryman from 0-62mph in under six seconds and adds a bit of spice to the SUV. A button on the steering wheel adds a ten-second power boost for spurts of overtaking.

To cope with the extra power, a beefed-up suspension system maximises handling, with high performance tyres keeping everything on the road. It’s a blast to drive but nowhere near as nimble as a smaller, standard Mini.

While the entry-level electric version, the Countryman E, has an official range of up to 286 miles, the JCW with ALL4 all-wheel drive offers up to 266 miles. Real-world range is a tad over 200 miles. An 11kW home wall-box can achieve a full charge in around six and a half hours.

And while it may be small, the Mini is tough. The Countryman has been awarded a full, five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and includes standard features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist and a blind-spot monitor.

The electric Countryman should appeal to those seeking a practical, family-sized electric SUV that prioritises style, character, and driving fun over outright range or maximum charging speed. 

Its high-quality, distinctive interior and solid performance make it a strong, albeit pricey, contender in a competitive segment. Other handbags, however, are available.

Jessica: The JCW is the ultimate electric Countryman but the entry-level Countryman C, around £30,000, will be the best value for most buyers, offering a good balance of performance and economy. 

Our high-performance JCW model is faster but has a firm ride that might be too uncomfortable for some. Choose the electric Countryman for lower running costs and zippier responses.

Discover more about the Mini Countryman Electric at mini.co.uk

Jessica Talbot-Ponsonby is Director of Programmes at London College of Fashion, studying for a PhD in sustainable e-textile design.