MINI Countryman JCW Prototype Test Drive and Review by Sympatico.ca

Sympatico.ca got the opportunity to test drive a MINI Countryman John Cooper Works Prototype in Kuhtai, Austria. The general verdict was great in terms of performance, comfort, quality, and functionality. Here is an excerpt of the review:

Thanks to decent weight balance and an all-wheel-drive system that can transfer the majority of power to either the front or rear wheels, the Countryman JCW feels playful and well balanced through corners. This car is never intimidating or scary no matter how high you dial up the driving tempo. Even if you will never look out the side windows while drifting through corners like MINI’s WRC race car drivers, it’s exciting and slightly naughty to know that – with a bit of talent and cup-holders full of bravery – you can.

What sets Mini’s raciest offering apart from the competition in this sporty utilitarian segment (it would be an insult to call this car an SUV) is the efficiency it delivers whilst turning out such crazed performance.  We don’t have official numbers, but expect the 2013 MINI Countryman JCW to deliver near-Countryman S economy numbers, 9.4 L/100 km city and 7.6 highway. Compare that with the 12.0/9.4 mileage offered up by the competitive Subaru WRX hatchback, and you can see the balanced performance value of the Mini.

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Conclusion
If you write cheques with your heart, then you may want to distance yourself from Mini’s new Countryman JCW. Of course, if you write cheques with your brain, this car may still hold power over your pocketbook because it delivers the efficiency, practicality and utility to make it a well-rounded daily driver.

When sitting beside its nearest competitors, this Mini has the performance to thrash at Subaru’s WRX hatchback, the efficiency to best Hyundai’s respected Tucson, and enough style and verve to obliterate the Tiguan. If you can swallow that expected steep price tag of 45,000 Canadian dollars. In fact, this Mini’s closest competition may come from within the fold: the $31,150 Countryman S model offers plenty of driving excitement at a bargain value next to the JCW.

Source: Sympatico.ca