Nice one, again. Re the start button, possibly before you were born, that was where you stirred a mini into action. HaHa. Thank you sir once again. Cheers from down under.
I love your mini. It's such a sharp looking car. I especially LOVE your mini schnauzer and the garage is looking AWESOME! Thank you for everything you do!
I just bought a 2025 SALL4 in Chili red (American). I like the JCW front end better aesthetically. I consider mine to be just okay but what I value is not looking like every other SUV. A Few others now have a different colored roof but not many. The inside is the best part because there’s nothing else like it. I like that they got rid of the plain black vinyl interiors. The second part is that the capabilities increased massively. I’ve had six Mini’s but it has not been on my list for a long time till I saw the new specs at 241hp and can tow 3500lbs. The only other sporty SUV that can do similarly is the Porsche Macan or certain versions of the Audi Q5. They have generally dull interiors and cost a whole lot more. The difference in the Macan price will buy you a nice camper and enough money to take a vacation. For all the Mini enthusiasts who think Mini has lost it’s way, I disagree. The Countryman is the largest Mini but it the very smallest SUV for most all other manufacturers. If Mini came out with a GLB copy and optional third row that would be fine at the top of the line. If you want small, stay with the Coopers. The fact you needed or wanted a Countryman or Clubman showed you needed more space but wanted the Mini characteristics. I say “Bravo” to MNI and BMW.
Comparing this spec with the last one I prefer the last! Agree with you about gear/start button & the vents/rev/speedo were better looking on last version! Sometimes change doesn't mean better! Overall a great car & thanks for the video!
The reaction on unveiling day at the dealer here in the US was mostly (almost all) "it's too big" (and that's here in America) - my reaction seeing it in person out of doors was/is: "that's a handsome looking Subaru Forester..." it's a no-go for my wife - we'll be keeping our five MINIs for some time yet (2x F54, 2x F56 and a R60 with 3 of those being full US spec JCW). We'd be shopping alternatives when the R60 needs to be replaced (possibly an X2). I think it's a big mistake not making the Aceman petrol and bringing it to the states. A petrol Aceman All4 JCW would be just the ticket but MINI seems to be set on bucking tradition and even evolution.
I have the Countryman S here in the US and really like it. It has sport seats but the head restraints don’t project forward as much as the JCW. I just got home from. 400 mile drive and the Countryman did great. More than adequate acceleration. (Doesn’t have as many horses (241 in US) as the JCW but plenty of torque for overtaking and when entering freeway. I a,ways find it amusing when UK reviewers call this a big car as it’s still pretty compact compared to American SUVs and pickup trucks. Final comment, I agree the AR navigation is awesome!
I think it looks sharp, modern and individual, much better than the boring Audis, ‘BMWs’ and Mercs. My family has all grown up and left home so I no longer have a need for a big car so I’ll be sticking with my Clubman JCW.
Same for me too. I’m keeping my F60 since I don’t need such a big suv. And the interior looks so empty and cheap. Then controls on the screen increases probability of hazards cos u need to see the screen to adjust. Unlike the analog dials u can feel them.
For anyone interested, I've now done nearly 10k miles in my U25 JCW (delivered to me just after launch), coming from a 71 plate Countryman JCW, and previously a Clubman JCW (70 plate). These are my thoughts: -Looks great. Much better without the chilli red roof. Definitely spec either body coloured or black roof. It is nippy, but due to the increased size and weight, needs another 50-70ps and another equivalent amount of torque. It never feels 'fast' from a standstill. Having said that, when you're already at speed (50mph +), it gains more speed verrry quickly. -All noises from the car, are entirely fake/synthesised. My previous gen (71 plate) Countryman made a subtle, but racey noise from the exhaust. Outside, the u25 sounds like a 1.2ltr petrol. Disappointing. Ped never seems to directly refer to this fact...it does NOT make any of the noises described, externally. -The interior has far too much black, low quality plastic for a close to £50k car. There should be a lot more soft touch materials, in a lot more places. -Fits our 40kg dog comfortably and luggage for two of us (on back seats), and has a really practical and usable interior. -People compliment its looks. -If you come from any previous gen JCW, it doesn't 'feel like' a mini or JCW. Characteristically, it doesn't drive like a Mini at all. -It is much more changeable in its attitude, than the previous gen JCWs. It can be soft and wallowing if you like, and more eager in different modes. The previous gen was pretty harsh all the time. Which is a positive. -The software is incredibly bug-y. On balance, I do like the car. But there it has lost its "JCW-ness".
Agree with your comment 100% I had one as a loaner and felt the same way. The interior feels cheap and hard plastic everywhere. It also doesn’t feel like a Mini anymore.
I like the rear like you do. Better looking than the X1 and X2 with the same chassis. I find it nice and especially love that red roof. The contrast makes the car even more outstanding. Many negative comments here and so I suggest they just keep to their current Mini or go buy another car.
Each to their own but I just love the looks and the angle shot at the start of the vid looks imposing, love it. Another great vid Pedro. Garage coming on nicely👍
Can’t understand your love for it PP? The interior looks cheap & tasteless .. Loved your long term review on the Defender 90 ….. I’ve now had my Defender 90 D300 for 3 months & have just returned from a 1,500 mile holiday to central France 🇫🇷 on a Wine tour… Yes, the rear seats had to be folded flat to accommodate 2x Suitcases + travel necessities & needless to say several cases of Wine & Champagne during the return journey (thankfully only 2 of us). The Defender performed impeccably & created that much attention too… Love it ❤
Wow! Those builders have really been cracking on with your garage! Very impressive...and beautiful...even at THIS stage. Having ridden in a number of Minis from the '60s and early '70s, childhood me would have enjoyed the interior space of this car. The relative quietness and SPEED of this car would've thrilled me back in the day, too. I see these Clubmans around O'ahu, and they fit in nicely in our traffic. They look more sporting than the usual Nissan or Toyota out on the road. Today's real-world requirements have supplanted much of the sense of fun and adventure old Mini's used to deliver in spadefulls. These are more than good enough for most of our traffic situations. I won't complain about it. Thumb up! Two thumbs up for the EV version (if that exists)!
I own one. Love it. Is it perfect…no…but I rest comfortably knowing that with a car this “digital” the developers can tweak to just about any configuration. It’s a Gen 5 car that’s not an EV and I think BMW has done a great job in creating value for money.
Great Video, I'm glad you showed us the native Sat Nav, long may it continue, I think it's useful. ......... I thought you were a little harsh on the HGV driver, we all have to use/share the road, he may have been going to a farm or something, not all motorways end at farm entrances.... Keep up the good work. Garage looking great and can't wait for the next update (bike storage)
On the mpg topic. This is the problem with the latest emission laws! Mapping for E10 fuel and getting good BHP out of the engine with stifling emission filters now means cars are going to need to use more fuel to get the same power!
A very honest review on the car that I have looked at as a future addition to the driveway and in fact an older model was the inspiration for me having a hatch JCW originally in the not too distant past. There are a few things you noted in the dislikes that are kind of putting me off i.e. the headrest and the cup holders but I do love the sat nav. The paddles I think I could live with because of all the cars I have had them I think I have used them only a handful of times. I think I would need to drive the car to see if I could really live with it. I do like the styling on the outside especially the quad pipes just a pity that the pro exhaust with the carbon tips is no longer an option on modern day cars and the bonnet scoop that I had with carbon is not there at all on this gen.
Not staying in manual mode when using the paddles is a deal breaker for me...that and the sheer size! I'll stick with my Clubman JCW till it rots away I think!
If the car is in Go Kart Mode and the gear selector switch is in Drive Plus (second press down) the pedal shifters stay active until you deselect them. I love mine.
That thing is 250mm longer than the Austin Maxi which it should be called, bet it's not as much fun as my long gone Mini Clubman estate 1975, in which I put in a 1275 gt engine I got 3 speeding tickets in that lol
One of my first cars was a 1962 Mini Countryman with an 850 engine. It was British Racing Green with the original English Oak trim. It was fun little car....and I really mean LITTLE. As I live in Canada it was not really a good vehicle for a Canadian winter. The heater was almost useless and the windshield defrost was non existent. I am amazed at the size of the new Mini's but understand why folks would want a better sized vehicle.
Hello Peter. Clearly a good car in many ways…looks 8/10, interior 7/10 and enjoyment, well I would need to drive one. Nothing makes me WANT one though and to average 27 mpg over 2000 miles is very thirsty these days…my RR Sport PHEV returns 33/36mpg all the time! the navigation is clever but too distracting and complicated for the job and that dinner plate screen looks a bit unfinished and weak. It osnot a car I would buy but can understand why many people would. Well done again…to you and your two little helpers! Richard😬🙂🙂🙂🙂
I have the electric version of this car - the Countryman Sport S E Level3 (which is also badged as a JCW) and have now covered 3000 miles in it since April. I agree with quite a few of your findings especially how unpleasant the front head restraint angle is. And to make it comfortable you have to set the seat rake to BMW M3-a-like 316D boy racer deck chair rake which isn’t safe! You should take a loaner electric version sometime as it will surprise you how good it is at masking the extra weight. The silly ear warmer flap things on the rear window don’t look anywhere near as obvious if you have the black roof or the body colour roof,but red just looks awful. Love the driver assist on long runs and the S E is very comfortable (head restraints apart) on a long motorway haul. Recently got from Central Scotland to Harrogate on almost a single charge (had to add 10 minutes of charge to avoid anxiety!) over a bank holiday weekend at mostly motorway speed and over 235 miles arriving with 5% SOC. I am averaging 3.9miles/kWh (equivalent to just shy of 160mpg…….) over 3000 miles which isn’t as good as my previous Cooper S E hatch electric but for a car permanently driving all 4 wheels via 2 electric motors and nigh on 2.1t and that likes to be driven in a spirited fashion, isn’t bad at all. Around town I’ve even got it over 5.3m/kWh on several occasions
Great video as usual . Just a note about the comment on the truck . Trucks need to be a certain size to make goods economical to (you ) and everyone else . If driven carefully you will be surprised where they can go , that was a grain truck going to a farm ( probably ) its often mainly car drivers , driving too fast and coming around blind corners on the wrong side of the road who are the issue . 🏁
My partner and I have had Mini’s since 2003 (2 of them, CM’s) and I test drove this car a few weeks ago and fell in love. I need bigger for 2 dog crates so I’m not bummed about the size at all. The car is fun to drive and looks so cool. Love all the amazing tech in the car too. Thanks so much for this review. Mine is ordered but will be November before it arrives. Your schnauzers are adorable!
Not driven the JCW model but have driven the EV version and I think it was a great car for what it’s designed for and I agree it’s a large car but it is based on the X2. People so outgrow there cars over time , a young family with push chairs and all of the stuff required for a baby would not fit in a 3 door cooper it this is great
Let me get this: Someone at MINI thinks that it makes more sense for a driver to look to the side to get driving info rather than look straight ahead. Okay.
@@Cornwall1888totally agree with you , same with land rover , it used to just be the land rover defender, and no one complains that they have a big range of cars with different names but the brand is still land rover , mini is a brand name
Well, your review makes me so happy I own one of the last of the classic Clubmans. That Countryman is too much a golf cart with an attitude. The view screen in and awfully dangerous place, just weird, and I'd keep looking for the stick shift. Wondering if the Mini tech guys actually drive. ;>) Always enjoy the pups, as well as your reviews. Love Mini, but seems they're headed down a dead end. Hope I'm wrong and they put it in reverse... ;>)
13:00 Bit unfair there Ped. They are a Grain transport company and given it's harvest season there's every chance he's going to/from a farm with no choice but to use that road.
Its growing on me. The augmented Sat Nav does look distracting, but that may be because we're watching on a screen, rather than driving it, something that you probably get used to. I thing it was an honest review, nice one!
Gday mate .. love your vids . Ordered our U25 JCW , due February 2025 . Can’t wait .. !! Wondering if you have looked at any upgrades such as exhaust and air intake ..? Want mine to sound as good outside as it does inside ..cheers P.S just orders my stickers in cherry red ..👍
Its looks OK in the JCW trim, the standard trim especially the front looks awful. Don't like having no central gear stick, the seats compared to our current JCW's not a fan of and no option in the UK for British Racing Green on the JCW's Countryman ! Our current Mini is in BRG and after visiting the local dealer & contacting Mini they tell me to look out in the news letter to see if it comes available in JCW's trim......after 4 Countryman's I think the current maybe the last sadly
i really like the new design language, we've had 20 years of the previous language in and out and it was well overdue an update....looks good, and your review seems to shows thats more than sin deep, a few minor niggles aside.
Great vid. Just finished a 600 mile round trip to Cornwall and back in mine. Great car. On the paddle shifting, try the car in Go Kart mode and the gearbox in the sport plus mode and once you engage the paddle shift it stays in paddle shift unlike when the gearbox is in normal sport drive mode.
Great video. Thanks. Still waiting for mine to be delivered. I’ve read in forums about people having lots of issues with bugs in the software. One in particular seems to be that the Auto climate control doesn’t work and requires you to manually change fan speed instead. Have you had any issues?
My 1st car was an Austin Mini 850cc 1978S. I'm not so sure about the speedo of this new Mini being in the middle like my old one. I think HUD is a must have option.
The seats, though annoying, I'm not too worried as that is a change that is relatively easy to do. Like Mini if customer feedback is bad they can change it
I am also a mini fan have the f56 1.5. Funny nice car. Luckily the 3d is still a real mini. Besides the interior which is nice for the joung yuppies but it lacks quality and class in my opinion. A shame the clubman is gone and the new countryman is just to bulky this is not a mini anymore . So if you can try to find a good used one previous model.
Pete love your content. So we are still friends I think I can get two sets of golf clubs in it. But the PRICE. I thought it was at least £10k less. Crazy.
I had one as a loaner for a full week while my F60 was getting some work done and honestly I do not like it. When driving it, it just felt like a normal SUV. That “Mini” character is just gone. Even my wife who knows nothing about cars, did not like it.
Would you consider doing a series where you review the stock level of the performance model and then a stage one tuned version. To see whether light mods and tuning is actually worth it or whether it makes the drivability worse? Could be a cool video.
I think perhaps Mini should have taken the Porsche's route in terms of design, they understood they have one of the most iconic silhouette, so did Mini, but they have lost it with the this new Countryman.
I’d be interested to now see you jump into the electric Countryman. Would the electric drivetrain dispel the complaints about the auto gearbox? Or would you miss the audible exhaust notes more?
I have the last Countryman S and the Clubman JCW. I think the driving dynamics of the clubman are unrivaled, for simple physics reasons. I use the automatic gear knob a lot, I don't like this trend of removing it everywhere at all
Thanks for the review Ped. Starts of by saying it’s a real nice place to be in… only to continue to explain the materials suck, the start button sucks, the bottle holder sucks, the little cabinet is useless, the seats are horrible and poke your head constantly, the steering wheel is too fat, the gear switches are in the wrong place, there is all sorts wrong with the screen… etc etc… So it it’s a really nice driving car this… 😂😂😂
Well obviously I like the 300bhp, but then, then, th . . . then I'm distracted by another video of yours, because I wasn't using full screen, and it says," A HUGE V8 ENGINE"!!!!!!
We’ve got a second gen countryman 1.5 cooper on a 19 plate. Not sure of that cars looks either but it’s lights have a square kind of appearance. I think this generation is a bit more cohesive. We find it’s a bit gutless but that’d be solved going for 2 litre engine. I think that unit is much better suited to a car of that size. We don’t need a sporty performer I; our bigger car but we found my dads old a4 avant with 2 litre diesel with 140 ponies was better, as it had a better slug of torque where you need it. Fuel economy is dreadful even for the 1.5 litre yet it’s free to get into ulez - golf diesel you have to pay (unless it’s a gtd strangely - the diesel gti is free, go figure! I’m trying to persuade dad to upgrade his mk7 golf to one. Unfortunately, our mini has started glitching at five years old - last year it’s been on a low loader twice, plus another couple of gremlins that are frustrating. Plus engine management lights keep coming on.
Just listening to you, especially at the start of the video, you are confirming what I think about this „thing“. When I hear “Range Rover” in the context of a Mini JCW review, everything has been told. I will hold on to my 2023 Clubman JCW as long as it will carry me 😢 And BTW, Porsche managed to stick to the round headlights for how many years? The Porsche 996 was hated and only is still on the road because it is the cheapest in comparison to the others (don’t start with the air cooled topic, it is not the point)…
We just took delivery of my wife's new S and immediately drove it 1500 miles on a trip. As a road trip car it is amazing both in ride and gas mileage. We averaged almost 36 mpg on the trip. There are a couple quirks with the infotainment that I'm not a huge fan of and the roughness of where you rest your arm on the upper door isn't great after a while, but that is the only complaints I have so far. As for size it is big but that's why my wife wanted it is as she didn't like the outgoing one because it was too small for her. Actually on the trip a previous gen X3 parked next to us and they were the exact same size. In the states the size is great in my opinion. There is a small part of me that wish we could have afforded the JCW but the S has plenty of power so don't feel too bad. A note about the speed limit warning, if you have your key setup to the profile and go in and turn that off it is off anytime that profile is active.
@@da_great_mogul yes you can. I forget what screen it was but when you were on where it showed trip there was a reset icon to hold and it reset the trip odometer.
I so wanted to love this car. We put a deposit 2 years ago, but for the first time ever, we cancelled. I am a MINI SE owner, and love all things mini. Unfortunately, I am one of the people in the "don't like it" camp. I think it is way too big - it is larger than the c40 we bought instead. It doesn't look like a MINI any more in my opinion. My SE gives me all the go kart I can handle (especially with ad09 tyres), so this was going to be the "sensible" car. I would have bought a full EV version of the previous generation in a heartbeat, but not this model. I understand MINI is moving with the times, but maybe I am just old fashioned. Sorry for being negative, I am sure this is a great car - just not for me.
I saw one in Annecy last week. I really had doubts about its looks, however in the flesh its a very attractive car. I'm not sure about interior still. I don't understand why Mini insist on the terrible Head Up unit. BMW have one of the very best windscreen projection systems. Why not use them. For me, I'd take the BMW X1 M30.
Wow, that manual mode that automatically drops out of manual would be a total deal-breaker for me. I live in Cornwall where I can anticipate the constant left/right/up/down road better than any auto can, so I'm in manual much of the time (in my BMW 128ti). I'm usually only in auto in town, or on straight roads. And there aren't many straight roads in Cornwall. So I'm in manual mode a long time. So if the car kept forcing me back into auto, wow that would be so annoying. And the other deal-breaker: in the latest Minis, and all the Mini-based BMW's (the front drive bias ones), they've dropped the best interior feature BMW had: the iDrive control wheel. So now you're stabbing at a touchscreen much of the time. No thanks. So glad I bought my Beemer last year before they messed that up as well. My old Mini Countryman (and your Clubman) was much less annoying inside. iDrive control wheel, a proper gear select lever, buttons for heating and stereo. Lovely.
I honestly think BMW/MINI should of just made the countryman as a Countryman instead of trying to base it off the Mini Cooper, MINI should of just played around with the MINI Cooper instead of messing with the Countryman, the previous countryman was perfectly fine and had fine materials and felt premium and quality, whereas now they’ve just made the countryman a big rolling piece of plastic on the road, and we all know once plastic gets old and brittle it’s going to be expensive, whereas the Countryman F60 didn’t have so much plastic in the interior compared to the U25. Edit: Which is why I’ve made the decision to keep my 2023 F60 Countryman Exclusive Edition but as I’ve said they’ve discontinued making the F60 so I’m probably gonna have to get a different car brand now, so goodbye MINI.
As you are a cyclist and a very keen motor enthusiast , could you do a video of the mind set of cyclists. Why they ride 4 abreast jump red lights and this is the best I’ve seen so far, climb over a crashed car with their bikes on a closed road?, then have an all out rage when tackled. We often see them in the vale of Evesham 4 abreast making it illegal to overtake even when using the other side the road due to the 1.5m rule?
![Mini Clubman vs Countryman - Which is the best ?! [Buyers Guide]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/TI434Ftvv1w/mqdefault.jpg)
![Mini Clubman vs Countryman - Which is the best ?! [Buyers Guide]](/img/tr.png)
Very good report … thks !! The style of the countryman JCW is great . Cheers !!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Nice one, again. Re the start button, possibly before you were born, that was where you stirred a mini into action. HaHa. Thank you sir once again. Cheers from down under.
I love your mini. It's such a sharp looking car. I especially LOVE your mini schnauzer and the garage is looking AWESOME! Thank you for everything you do!
Glad you like it!
I just bought a 2025 SALL4 in Chili red (American). I like the JCW front end better aesthetically. I consider mine to be just okay but what I value is not looking like every other SUV. A Few others now have a different colored roof but not many. The inside is the best part because there’s nothing else like it. I like that they got rid of the plain black vinyl interiors. The second part is that the capabilities increased massively. I’ve had six Mini’s but it has not been on my list for a long time till I saw the new specs at 241hp and can tow 3500lbs. The only other sporty SUV that can do similarly is the Porsche Macan or certain versions of the Audi Q5. They have generally dull interiors and cost a whole lot more. The difference in the Macan price will buy you a nice camper and enough money to take a vacation. For all the Mini enthusiasts who think Mini has lost it’s way, I disagree. The Countryman is the largest Mini but it the very smallest SUV for most all other manufacturers. If Mini came out with a GLB copy and optional third row that would be fine at the top of the line. If you want small, stay with the Coopers. The fact you needed or wanted a Countryman or Clubman showed you needed more space but wanted the Mini characteristics. I say “Bravo” to MNI and BMW.
I love the design! I can't wait to purchase one in 2025.
👍
The thing that amuses me is the fact that if everything is taken out of the interior of that car the original mini would fit inside
Hahahahahaah! Prolly right! 😂
Great pup pics - and the car is good too!
Thanks 👍
Good to see some pup action here.
Can't say I'm a huge fan of the way the car looks inside and out. Anyway another good review Ped 👍
Thanks 👍
Comparing this spec with the last one I prefer the last! Agree with you about gear/start button & the vents/rev/speedo were better looking on last version! Sometimes change doesn't mean better! Overall a great car & thanks for the video!
i love it. Change is good sometimes and this is a lovely looking car. if i could afford it i would get one. another good video Pedro 👍
The reaction on unveiling day at the dealer here in the US was mostly (almost all) "it's too big" (and that's here in America) - my reaction seeing it in person out of doors was/is: "that's a handsome looking Subaru Forester..." it's a no-go for my wife - we'll be keeping our five MINIs for some time yet (2x F54, 2x F56 and a R60 with 3 of those being full US spec JCW). We'd be shopping alternatives when the R60 needs to be replaced (possibly an X2). I think it's a big mistake not making the Aceman petrol and bringing it to the states. A petrol Aceman All4 JCW would be just the ticket but MINI seems to be set on bucking tradition and even evolution.
Exactly Same thoughts.
I have the Countryman S here in the US and really like it. It has sport seats but the head restraints don’t project forward as much as the JCW. I just got home from. 400 mile drive and the Countryman did great. More than adequate acceleration. (Doesn’t have as many horses (241 in US) as the JCW but plenty of torque for overtaking and when entering freeway. I a,ways find it amusing when UK reviewers call this a big car as it’s still pretty compact compared to American SUVs and pickup trucks. Final comment, I agree the AR navigation is awesome!
Great vid Pete love the car n colour garage is coming on nicely 👍🏻👍🏻
I think it looks sharp, modern and individual, much better than the boring Audis, ‘BMWs’ and Mercs. My family has all grown up and left home so I no longer have a need for a big car so I’ll be sticking with my Clubman JCW.
Your BMW you mean lol.
Same for me too. I’m keeping my F60 since I don’t need such a big suv. And the interior looks so empty and cheap. Then controls on the screen increases probability of hazards cos u need to see the screen to adjust. Unlike the analog dials u can feel them.
For anyone interested, I've now done nearly 10k miles in my U25 JCW (delivered to me just after launch), coming from a 71 plate Countryman JCW, and previously a Clubman JCW (70 plate).
These are my thoughts:
-Looks great. Much better without the chilli red roof. Definitely spec either body coloured or black roof.
It is nippy, but due to the increased size and weight, needs another 50-70ps and another equivalent amount of torque. It never feels 'fast' from a standstill. Having said that, when you're already at speed (50mph +), it gains more speed verrry quickly.
-All noises from the car, are entirely fake/synthesised. My previous gen (71 plate) Countryman made a subtle, but racey noise from the exhaust. Outside, the u25 sounds like a 1.2ltr petrol. Disappointing. Ped never seems to directly refer to this fact...it does NOT make any of the noises described, externally.
-The interior has far too much black, low quality plastic for a close to £50k car. There should be a lot more soft touch materials, in a lot more places.
-Fits our 40kg dog comfortably and luggage for two of us (on back seats), and has a really practical and usable interior.
-People compliment its looks.
-If you come from any previous gen JCW, it doesn't 'feel like' a mini or JCW. Characteristically, it doesn't drive like a Mini at all.
-It is much more changeable in its attitude, than the previous gen JCWs. It can be soft and wallowing if you like, and more eager in different modes. The previous gen was pretty harsh all the time. Which is a positive.
-The software is incredibly bug-y.
On balance, I do like the car. But there it has lost its "JCW-ness".
Agree with your comment 100% I had one as a loaner and felt the same way. The interior feels cheap and hard plastic everywhere. It also doesn’t feel like a Mini anymore.
Sell it then.
I like the rear like you do. Better looking than the X1 and X2 with the same chassis. I find it nice and especially love that red roof. The contrast makes the car even more outstanding. Many negative comments here and so I suggest they just keep to their current Mini or go buy another car.
Each to their own but I just love the looks and the angle shot at the start of the vid looks imposing, love it. Another great vid Pedro. Garage coming on nicely👍
Cheers Graham 👍
Being a Mini owner, I love this. However, the colour of the new new countryman does make a difference. I love it in wither White or Red 😊
Thanks for sharing!
Can’t understand your love for it PP? The interior looks cheap & tasteless ..
Loved your long term review on the Defender 90 …..
I’ve now had my Defender 90 D300 for 3 months & have just returned from a 1,500 mile holiday to central France 🇫🇷 on a Wine tour…
Yes, the rear seats had to be folded flat to accommodate 2x Suitcases + travel necessities & needless to say several cases of Wine & Champagne during the return journey (thankfully only 2 of us).
The Defender performed impeccably & created that much attention too…
Love it ❤
Nice 👌
I pick up by fully configured JCW 2025 on 26 August and I cannot wait! Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge!
Hope you enjoy it!
Just tell the dealer to wait 6 days and collect the car on the new 74 plate launched on 1 Sep.
Wow! Those builders have really been cracking on with your garage! Very impressive...and beautiful...even at THIS stage.
Having ridden in a number of Minis from the '60s and early '70s, childhood me would have enjoyed the interior space of this car. The relative quietness and SPEED of this car would've thrilled me back in the day, too.
I see these Clubmans around O'ahu, and they fit in nicely in our traffic. They look more sporting than the usual Nissan or Toyota out on the road.
Today's real-world requirements have supplanted much of the sense of fun and adventure old Mini's used to deliver in spadefulls. These are more than good enough for most of our traffic situations. I won't complain about it. Thumb up! Two thumbs up for the EV version (if that exists)!
Wait till Monday. That’s when the next garage vid drops 👍
@@PetrolPed Oh! You KNOW how to tease!🤣
I own one. Love it. Is it perfect…no…but I rest comfortably knowing that with a car this “digital” the developers can tweak to just about any configuration. It’s a Gen 5 car that’s not an EV and I think BMW has done a great job in creating value for money.
Great Video, I'm glad you showed us the native Sat Nav, long may it continue, I think it's useful. ......... I thought you were a little harsh on the HGV driver, we all have to use/share the road, he may have been going to a farm or something, not all motorways end at farm entrances.... Keep up the good work. Garage looking great and can't wait for the next update (bike storage)
On the mpg topic. This is the problem with the latest emission laws! Mapping for E10 fuel and getting good BHP out of the engine with stifling emission filters now means cars are going to need to use more fuel to get the same power!
Mini countryman not to bad only thing I don't like is speed clock right in middle of dashboard great reviews 👍
A very honest review on the car that I have looked at as a future addition to the driveway and in fact an older model was the inspiration for me having a hatch JCW originally in the not too distant past. There are a few things you noted in the dislikes that are kind of putting me off i.e. the headrest and the cup holders but I do love the sat nav. The paddles I think I could live with because of all the cars I have had them I think I have used them only a handful of times. I think I would need to drive the car to see if I could really live with it. I do like the styling on the outside especially the quad pipes just a pity that the pro exhaust with the carbon tips is no longer an option on modern day cars and the bonnet scoop that I had with carbon is not there at all on this gen.
Excellent video as always.. Honest and true.
Not staying in manual mode when using the paddles is a deal breaker for me...that and the sheer size! I'll stick with my Clubman JCW till it rots away I think!
If the car is in Go Kart Mode and the gear selector switch is in Drive Plus (second press down) the pedal shifters stay active until you deselect them. I love mine.
That thing is 250mm longer than the Austin Maxi which it should be called, bet it's not as much fun as my long gone Mini Clubman estate 1975, in which I put in a 1275 gt engine I got 3 speeding tickets in that lol
One of my first cars was a 1962 Mini Countryman with an 850 engine. It was British Racing Green with the original English Oak trim. It was fun little car....and I really mean LITTLE. As I live in Canada it was not really a good vehicle for a Canadian winter. The heater was almost useless and the windshield defrost was non existent. I am amazed at the size of the new Mini's but understand why folks would want a better sized vehicle.
Hello Peter. Clearly a good car in many ways…looks 8/10, interior 7/10 and enjoyment, well I would need to drive one. Nothing makes me WANT one though and to average 27 mpg over 2000 miles is very thirsty these days…my RR Sport PHEV returns 33/36mpg all the time! the navigation is clever but too distracting and complicated for the job and that dinner plate screen looks a bit unfinished and weak. It osnot a car I would buy but can understand why many people would. Well done again…to you and your two little helpers! Richard😬🙂🙂🙂🙂
Great video ped love the mini
Thanks 👍
Keep up the good work 😀
Thanks, will do!
Great on Pete looks like a good alrounder
I have the electric version of this car - the Countryman Sport S E Level3 (which is also badged as a JCW) and have now covered 3000 miles in it since April. I agree with quite a few of your findings especially how unpleasant the front head restraint angle is. And to make it comfortable you have to set the seat rake to BMW M3-a-like 316D boy racer deck chair rake which isn’t safe! You should take a loaner electric version sometime as it will surprise you how good it is at masking the extra weight. The silly ear warmer flap things on the rear window don’t look anywhere near as obvious if you have the black roof or the body colour roof,but red just looks awful. Love the driver assist on long runs and the S E is very comfortable (head restraints apart) on a long motorway haul. Recently got from Central Scotland to Harrogate on almost a single charge (had to add 10 minutes of charge to avoid anxiety!) over a bank holiday weekend at mostly motorway speed and over 235 miles arriving with 5% SOC. I am averaging 3.9miles/kWh (equivalent to just shy of 160mpg…….) over 3000 miles which isn’t as good as my previous Cooper S E hatch electric but for a car permanently driving all 4 wheels via 2 electric motors and nigh on 2.1t and that likes to be driven in a spirited fashion, isn’t bad at all. Around town I’ve even got it over 5.3m/kWh on several occasions
Lovely sound, undecided on the looks
Great video as usual . Just a note about the comment on the truck . Trucks need to be a certain size to make goods economical to (you ) and everyone else . If driven carefully you will be surprised where they can go , that was a grain truck going to a farm ( probably ) its often mainly car drivers , driving too fast and coming around blind corners on the wrong side of the road who are the issue . 🏁
My partner and I have had Mini’s since 2003 (2 of them, CM’s) and I test drove this car a few weeks ago and fell in love. I need bigger for 2 dog crates so I’m not bummed about the size at all. The car is fun to drive and looks so cool. Love all the amazing tech in the car too. Thanks so much for this review. Mine is ordered but will be November before it arrives. Your schnauzers are adorable!
Ah thanks mate. Enjoy your new wheels 👍
Not driven the JCW model but have driven the EV version and I think it was a great car for what it’s designed for and I agree it’s a large car but it is based on the X2. People so outgrow there cars over time , a young family with push chairs and all of the stuff required for a baby would not fit in a 3 door cooper it this is great
Cars ok, but the dogs are mint 👌
Thank you 🙏🏻
Happy birthday for Saturday
Let me get this: Someone at MINI thinks that it makes more sense for a driver to look to the side to get driving info rather than look straight ahead. Okay.
Those head restraints would annoy should also see BMW active tourer which it is based
That’s the one I have bought also with pan roof 😊
You need to pop back to your car wash guys, Pete... they didn't get the bird pancake off the spoiler! (4:06) 🙂
About as Mini a Mini as the Capri is a Capri🙈
I don’t know why people get so caught up on the brand name, it’s not a description, mini have to move with the times
@@Cornwall1888agreed. Don’t see anyone buying a Jaguar and complaining they didn’t get a cat 😅
Don't like it don't buy it *easy! I think it looks great as a JCW, I love my Paceman so a bit biased
@@Cornwall1888totally agree with you , same with land rover , it used to just be the land rover defender, and no one complains that they have a big range of cars with different names but the brand is still land rover , mini is a brand name
Pete there’s no gear indicator on our 1 year old countryman , nor did our hatch back autos have one , it’s something I have always missed ,
Well, your review makes me so happy I own one of the last of the classic Clubmans. That Countryman is too much a golf cart with an attitude. The view screen in and awfully dangerous place, just weird, and I'd keep looking for the stick shift. Wondering if the Mini tech guys actually drive. ;>) Always enjoy the pups, as well as your reviews. Love Mini, but seems they're headed down a dead end. Hope I'm wrong and they put it in reverse... ;>)
The waze notifications are so critical driving the UK.
Oh yes 👍
U R the best😊👍🏿 cheers from thestates
Thanks 🙏🏻
I like the previous generation better. Have a 2023 JCW, is absolutely awesome.
Hot news, social media star Petrol Ped cancelled for flashing his pink chopper during dream garage build reveal 😂
Great review as always!
😂😂😂
I used to have a purple one with pink lettering. Memories of the 70s - bring back Spangles and flares! And the heat of ‘76!
13:00 Bit unfair there Ped. They are a Grain transport company and given it's harvest season there's every chance he's going to/from a farm with no choice but to use that road.
When I saw the new Mini lineup, I immediately went and bought a Clubman JCW 306HP. 😂
27.7mpg! My new D350 90 Defender does nearly 40mpg 😮
Like the car, love the front more than the rear 3 quarters which looks a bit squashed. Great wheels. A bit expensive but worth it.
Awesome car.
I really like them.
Such a shame about the ding on the rear RHS door though. Are the panels quite thin?
Really like that, especially in the black and red combination!
👍
Its growing on me.
The augmented Sat Nav does look distracting, but that may be because we're watching on a screen, rather than driving it, something that you probably get used to.
I thing it was an honest review, nice one!
insanely expensive for what it is. I get the fun factor but on this price range, you have many many and better options
Gday mate .. love your vids . Ordered our U25 JCW , due February 2025 . Can’t wait .. !!
Wondering if you have looked at any upgrades such as exhaust and air intake ..? Want mine to sound as good outside as it does inside ..cheers P.S just orders my stickers in cherry red ..👍
Ped shamelessly trying to get more likes by upping the quantity of pup shots. Bravo 😉
Damn…you’ve seen through me 😂😂😂
The mini massive i call it
I saw this car parked at Waitrose, Chichester. It definitely wasn't as clean then! 😊
I had a my 1 loved it not sure on this one, followed a new mini and I could see the center display from a good cars length away
Its looks OK in the JCW trim, the standard trim especially the front looks awful. Don't like having no central gear stick, the seats compared to our current JCW's not a fan of and no option in the UK for British Racing Green on the JCW's Countryman ! Our current Mini is in BRG and after visiting the local dealer & contacting Mini they tell me to look out in the news letter to see if it comes available in JCW's trim......after 4 Countryman's I think the current maybe the last sadly
i really like the new design language, we've had 20 years of the previous language in and out and it was well overdue an update....looks good, and your review seems to shows thats more than sin deep, a few minor niggles aside.
Great vid. Just finished a 600 mile round trip to Cornwall and back in mine. Great car.
On the paddle shifting, try the car in Go Kart mode and the gearbox in the sport plus mode and once you engage the paddle shift it stays in paddle shift unlike when the gearbox is in normal sport drive mode.
Thanks for the tips!
Great video. Thanks. Still waiting for mine to be delivered. I’ve read in forums about people having lots of issues with bugs in the software. One in particular seems to be that the Auto climate control doesn’t work and requires you to manually change fan speed instead. Have you had any issues?
Not so far 👎
Wish I had the automatic liftgate though… electronics shortages nixxed that option on mine.
My 1st car was an Austin Mini 850cc 1978S. I'm not so sure about the speedo of this new Mini being in the middle like my old one. I think HUD is a must have option.
The seats, though annoying, I'm not too worried as that is a change that is relatively easy to do. Like Mini if customer feedback is bad they can change it
I am also a mini fan have the f56 1.5. Funny nice car. Luckily the 3d is still a real mini. Besides the interior which is nice for the joung yuppies but it lacks quality and class in my opinion. A shame the clubman is gone and the new countryman is just to bulky this is not a mini anymore . So if you can try to find a good used one previous model.
I think there was one teaser ahead lounching the new MINI saying " You dont f..k with a legend"
Well...I think they just did that!
Pete love your content. So we are still friends
I think I can get two sets of golf clubs in it. But the PRICE. I thought it was at least £10k less. Crazy.
I had one as a loaner for a full week while my F60 was getting some work done and honestly I do not like it. When driving it, it just felt like a normal SUV. That “Mini” character is just gone. Even my wife who knows nothing about cars, did not like it.
Didn’t know about the hold set button fix. Thanks. Have you found the vinyl record Easter egg yet?
Would you consider doing a series where you review the stock level of the performance model and then a stage one tuned version. To see whether light mods and tuning is actually worth it or whether it makes the drivability worse? Could be a cool video.
I’ve done quite a few videos with tuned cars and been down that road with my own car 👍
I think perhaps Mini should have taken the Porsche's route in terms of design, they understood they have one of the most iconic silhouette, so did Mini, but they have lost it with the this new Countryman.
I’d love you to do a golf r vs this comp.
Sorry, I don't like the look of the Countryman, inside or outside.
It looks like a truck from the back & front and hearse from the sides.
@@kayshoaf8150 You like it then!!
@@grahamknibbs5481 no! Wouldn’t buy one for anything. Got am X1 instead.
Ive got one and its the dogs fucking bollucks!! 😃
Lost me when he said ‘Range Rover-esq’ looks like and old Kia soul or Fiat fat 500 thing 🤢
I’d be interested to now see you jump into the electric Countryman. Would the electric drivetrain dispel the complaints about the auto gearbox? Or would you miss the audible exhaust notes more?
Might have to find out 👍
I have the last Countryman S and the Clubman JCW. I think the driving dynamics of the clubman are unrivaled, for simple physics reasons. I use the automatic gear knob a lot, I don't like this trend of removing it everywhere at all
Thanks for the review Ped. Starts of by saying it’s a real nice place to be in… only to continue to explain the materials suck, the start button sucks, the bottle holder sucks, the little cabinet is useless, the seats are horrible and poke your head constantly, the steering wheel is too fat, the gear switches are in the wrong place, there is all sorts wrong with the screen… etc etc… So it it’s a really nice driving car this… 😂😂😂
It’s called being objective. Yes there are things I’m not that keen on but that doesn’t mean it’s not a lovely place to spent time in 🙄
Well obviously I like the 300bhp, but then, then, th . . . then I'm distracted by another video of yours, because I wasn't using full screen, and it says," A HUGE V8 ENGINE"!!!!!!
Looks with a bin lid for the entertainment. Can't wait around to find the price of this monstrosity
Love the interior and that central circle screen, Pete. Exterior 50/50. How much is it, though?
£41.5k to £46.7k 👍
We’ve got a second gen countryman 1.5 cooper on a 19 plate. Not sure of that cars looks either but it’s lights have a square kind of appearance. I think this generation is a bit more cohesive.
We find it’s a bit gutless but that’d be solved going for 2 litre engine. I think that unit is much better suited to a car of that size. We don’t need a sporty performer I; our bigger car but we found my dads old a4 avant with 2 litre diesel with 140 ponies was better, as it had a better slug of torque where you need it.
Fuel economy is dreadful even for the 1.5 litre yet it’s free to get into ulez - golf diesel you have to pay (unless it’s a gtd strangely - the diesel gti is free, go figure! I’m trying to persuade dad to upgrade his mk7 golf to one.
Unfortunately, our mini has started glitching at five years old - last year it’s been on a low loader twice, plus another couple of gremlins that are frustrating. Plus engine management lights keep coming on.
Just listening to you, especially at the start of the video, you are confirming what I think about this „thing“. When I hear “Range Rover” in the context of a Mini JCW review, everything has been told.
I will hold on to my 2023 Clubman JCW as long as it will carry me 😢
And BTW, Porsche managed to stick to the round headlights for how many years?
The Porsche 996 was hated and only is still on the road because it is the cheapest in comparison to the others (don’t start with the air cooled topic, it is not the point)…
We just took delivery of my wife's new S and immediately drove it 1500 miles on a trip. As a road trip car it is amazing both in ride and gas mileage. We averaged almost 36 mpg on the trip. There are a couple quirks with the infotainment that I'm not a huge fan of and the roughness of where you rest your arm on the upper door isn't great after a while, but that is the only complaints I have so far. As for size it is big but that's why my wife wanted it is as she didn't like the outgoing one because it was too small for her. Actually on the trip a previous gen X3 parked next to us and they were the exact same size. In the states the size is great in my opinion. There is a small part of me that wish we could have afforded the JCW but the S has plenty of power so don't feel too bad.
A note about the speed limit warning, if you have your key setup to the profile and go in and turn that off it is off anytime that profile is active.
Can you reset a trip computer? We have the S also and no idea how to. I'll need to look in the book soon if not!
@@da_great_mogul yes you can. I forget what screen it was but when you were on where it showed trip there was a reset icon to hold and it reset the trip odometer.
I so wanted to love this car. We put a deposit 2 years ago, but for the first time ever, we cancelled. I am a MINI SE owner, and love all things mini. Unfortunately, I am one of the people in the "don't like it" camp. I think it is way too big - it is larger than the c40 we bought instead. It doesn't look like a MINI any more in my opinion. My SE gives me all the go kart I can handle (especially with ad09 tyres), so this was going to be the "sensible" car. I would have bought a full EV version of the previous generation in a heartbeat, but not this model.
I understand MINI is moving with the times, but maybe I am just old fashioned. Sorry for being negative, I am sure this is a great car - just not for me.
I saw one in Annecy last week. I really had doubts about its looks, however in the flesh its a very attractive car. I'm not sure about interior still. I don't understand why Mini insist on the terrible Head Up unit. BMW have one of the very best windscreen projection systems. Why not use them.
For me, I'd take the BMW X1 M30.
A comparison between this and a bmw x2 m35i would be good i believe they have the same running gear
Yes. Joe and I missed a trick as he had a press one a couple of weeks ago 😢
Once more here we have some delicious food for the algorithm ;-)
Wow, that manual mode that automatically drops out of manual would be a total deal-breaker for me. I live in Cornwall where I can anticipate the constant left/right/up/down road better than any auto can, so I'm in manual much of the time (in my BMW 128ti). I'm usually only in auto in town, or on straight roads. And there aren't many straight roads in Cornwall. So I'm in manual mode a long time. So if the car kept forcing me back into auto, wow that would be so annoying. And the other deal-breaker: in the latest Minis, and all the Mini-based BMW's (the front drive bias ones), they've dropped the best interior feature BMW had: the iDrive control wheel. So now you're stabbing at a touchscreen much of the time. No thanks. So glad I bought my Beemer last year before they messed that up as well. My old Mini Countryman (and your Clubman) was much less annoying inside. iDrive control wheel, a proper gear select lever, buttons for heating and stereo. Lovely.
That angle of the car right at the beginning 🤩 it’s a beautiful car
How do you rate this Countryman JCW vs the OLD JCW vs the Formentor VZ2?
I honestly think BMW/MINI should of just made the countryman as a Countryman instead of trying to base it off the Mini Cooper, MINI should of just played around with the MINI Cooper instead of messing with the Countryman, the previous countryman was perfectly fine and had fine materials and felt premium and quality, whereas now they’ve just made the countryman a big rolling piece of plastic on the road, and we all know once plastic gets old and brittle it’s going to be expensive, whereas the Countryman F60 didn’t have so much plastic in the interior compared to the U25.
Edit: Which is why I’ve made the decision to keep my 2023 F60 Countryman Exclusive Edition but as I’ve said they’ve discontinued making the F60 so I’m probably gonna have to get a different car brand now, so goodbye MINI.
Do you prefer it to the clubman jcw overall??
No 👎
Maybe the truck was collecting bulk grain from a farm 🤔
We bought one after watching your initial review. It’s a nice car, but ours seems to have a few software glitches.
Sorry to hear that 😢
As you are a cyclist and a very keen motor enthusiast , could you do a video of the mind set of cyclists. Why they ride 4 abreast jump red lights and this is the best I’ve seen so far, climb over a crashed car with their bikes on a closed road?, then have an all out rage when tackled. We often see them in the vale of Evesham 4 abreast making it illegal to overtake even when using the other side the road due to the 1.5m rule?
Of course every cyclist is like those stereotypes 🤷♂️🙄