2023 MINI Countryman John Cooper Works Classic ALL4
Price Range: $41,500 Price range reflects Base MSRP for various trim levels, not including options or fees.
2023 MINI Countryman John Cooper Works Classic ALL4
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The Countryman has always been Mini's answer to those who love the fun and spunky nature of the brand but need more practicality. Thanks to its quick acceleration and playful handling, the Countryman absolutely remains true to the badge. But practicality is not the Mini's strong suit.
Pricing
Changing year or type will take you to a new page
John Cooper Works Classic ALL4 (Most Popular) - $42,350 MSRP
$40,594
2023 MINI Countryman John Cooper Works Review
byReese Counts
Vehicle Test Editor
Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at Edmunds in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.
, rating written byKurt Niebuhr
Senior Vehicle Test Editor
Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of Edmunds' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.
Pros
- Variety, including plug-in hybrid and performance versions
- Exterior and interior design sets it apart from competitors
- Fun driving experience
Cons
- Front seats are confining
- Small cargo area
- Engines require premium fuel
- Plug-in hybrid offers limited electric-only range
What's new
- New Untamed Edition package available
- Base Cooper and Classic models discontinued midyear
- Part of the second Countryman generation introduced for 2017
Overview
The 2023 Mini Countryman is a stylish compact crossover that's simultaneously the British automaker's largest model and one of the smallest SUVs on the road today. The Countryman's small size does make it less practical than most other SUVs, but in return you get an SUV that's easier to park and maneuver. It's also distinctive inside and out and fun to drive thanks to nimble handling and quick acceleration from the Cooper S and John Cooper Works versions.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 MINI Countryman John Cooper Works Classic ALL4 4dr Wagon AWD w/Prod. End 08/22 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$208/mo for Countryman John Cooper Works Classic ALL4
Countryman John Cooper Works Classic ALL4
vs
$179/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Mini also offers a plug-in hybrid version of the Countryman called the SE All4. It provides a short amount of all-electric range — about 17 miles. After that, it switches to typical hybrid operation. It's a neat idea in theory but 17 miles isn't much for a plug-in these days. Plus, once the battery runs out, the SE All4 gets about the same fuel economy as the Cooper S even though it's a hybrid.
The Countryman gets a new special edition for 2023, the so-called Untamed Edition. Like the Resolute Edition and Untold Edition packages available for the Cooper Hardtop and Cooper Clubman, respectively, the Countryman Untamed Edition adds more visual flair to an already stylish vehicle. Also know that Mini stopped offering the base Countryman Cooper, the one with the three-cylinder engine, midway through the 2023 model year as well as the base Classic trim level.
We like the Countryman but its appeal mostly comes down to being different rather than being great. The Buick Encore GX, Mazda CX-30 and Volkswagen Taos are more well-rounded picks for an extra-small crossover. For more info on the Mini Countryman, check out our test team's Expert Rating below.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Good
7.8
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The Countryman has always been Mini's answer to those who love the fun and spunky nature of the brand but need more practicality. Thanks to its quick acceleration and playful handling, the Countryman absolutely remains true to the badge. But practicality is not the Mini's strong suit.
Rated for you by America's best test team.Performance
8.5/10
How does the Countryman JCW drive? We tested the John Cooper Works version. It absolutely lives up to its sporting heritage and delivers by far the most engaging and fun driving experience in the class. Our test Countryman JCW made the 0-60 mph sprint in an impressively quick 5.2 seconds. The brakes are also strong should you need to make a panic stop, though it can be a little tricky to stop smoothly in routine driving.
Handling, another strong suit in Minis, isn't lost in the Countryman JCW. It changes direction in a hurry yet feels grippy and stable under most circumstances.
Handling, another strong suit in Minis, isn't lost in the Countryman JCW. It changes direction in a hurry yet feels grippy and stable under most circumstances.
Comfort
7.5/10
How comfortable is the Countryman JCW? Considering its sporting intentions, the Countryman John Cooper Works is pretty civilized. It comes with an adaptive suspension that, in its default setting, does a nice job of absorbing broken city roads while providing good body control at higher speeds.
Putting the Countryman JCW in Sport should be reserved for driving along a smooth and twisty road because the firmer ride is a bit too much for typical driving. Likewise, the extra engine and exhaust noise in Sport mode can grate after a while since the Countryman is usually fairly quiet.
The cloth seats in our JCW test car were very firm but still reasonably comfortable. They had good bolstering for your torso but surprisingly little for your legs.
Putting the Countryman JCW in Sport should be reserved for driving along a smooth and twisty road because the firmer ride is a bit too much for typical driving. Likewise, the extra engine and exhaust noise in Sport mode can grate after a while since the Countryman is usually fairly quiet.
The cloth seats in our JCW test car were very firm but still reasonably comfortable. They had good bolstering for your torso but surprisingly little for your legs.
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2023 MINI Countryman John Cooper Works Classic ALL4 pricing
in Columbus, OHEdmunds suggests you pay
Interior
7.5/10
How’s the interior? The overall layout of the Countryman's interior has not changed in quite some time. It's distinctive-looking, including the limited instrumentation and chrome toggle switches. The controls are easy to figure out, and the knob for the infotainment system helps you quickly navigate most of the high-level functions.
Thanks to the Countryman's raised ride height, getting in and out is fairly easy and is helped by the short-length front and rear doors. Inside, all passengers will enjoy more room than you might expect given the profile view of the Countryman. Only rear visibility falls a bit short of what we expect in this class.
Thanks to the Countryman's raised ride height, getting in and out is fairly easy and is helped by the short-length front and rear doors. Inside, all passengers will enjoy more room than you might expect given the profile view of the Countryman. Only rear visibility falls a bit short of what we expect in this class.
Technology
7.5/10
How’s the tech? The Countryman's long and narrow infotainment screen (a sacrifice to the Mini's interior style) looks a bit small alongside some of its competition, but crisp graphics and good contrast make it easy to read. Far less impressive is the lack of Android Auto compatibility. Apple CarPlay is here, but Android phone users will need to make do with a simple Bluetooth connection. On the flip side, the Harman Kardon audio system makes good use of the Countryman's cabin and provides clean sound with ample power.
Front and rear seat passengers should bring USB-C cables or adapters because the Countryman uses them exclusively, with two ports in the front and two in the back.
Front and rear seat passengers should bring USB-C cables or adapters because the Countryman uses them exclusively, with two ports in the front and two in the back.
Storage
7.0/10
How’s the storage? The John Cooper Works modifications take nothing away from the Countryman's practicality. Alas, there's not a lot of it to begin with. In cargo capacity, the Countryman trails competitors such as the Audi Q3, BMW X2 and Mercedes-Benz GLB. The Mini does have 40/20/40-split folding rear seats, but the seatback releases are only accessible from the rear passenger doors, not the cargo area.
Up front, the Countryman offers a fair amount of nicely sized storage bins. Sunglasses, phones, cables, keys and other sundry items will all have a home. The door pockets aren't cavernous but add to the practicality.
Up front, the Countryman offers a fair amount of nicely sized storage bins. Sunglasses, phones, cables, keys and other sundry items will all have a home. The door pockets aren't cavernous but add to the practicality.
Fuel Economy
7.5/10
How economical is the Countryman JCW? Despite its extra horsepower, the John Cooper Works Countryman is rated by the EPA to return 26 mpg combined, which is pretty typical for the class. Over our 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation route, we saw just over 24 mpg with a bit of enthusiastic driving mixed in. The base Countryman with the three-cylinder engine checks in with an EPA-estimated 29 mpg in combined driving.
Value
7.5/10
Is the Countryman JCW a good value? Opting for the John Cooper Works version of the Countryman bumps the price of the standard Countryman from just under $30,000 to more than $41,000. Most of that price increase is due to the performance hardware, and not necessarily a more luxurious interior, so you and your passengers might not see evidence of most of that extra expense.
Our loaded-up test Countryman JCW checked in at a fairly steep $50,100. That does line up with stylish offerings such the BMW X2 and Volvo XC40, but the John Cooper Works edition is considerably quicker and more fun than either.
Bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties are for four years/50,000 miles, which is standard for the class. Roadside assistance lasts four years with unlimited miles, and free maintenance is a helpful three years/36,000 miles.
Our loaded-up test Countryman JCW checked in at a fairly steep $50,100. That does line up with stylish offerings such the BMW X2 and Volvo XC40, but the John Cooper Works edition is considerably quicker and more fun than either.
Bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties are for four years/50,000 miles, which is standard for the class. Roadside assistance lasts four years with unlimited miles, and free maintenance is a helpful three years/36,000 miles.
Wildcard
9.0/10
If you prioritize driving fun and vibrant expressionism, the Countryman John Cooper Works will not disappoint. Even with the Countryman's extra size and heft, it remains true to the sporty, fun nature of other Minis. Even the all-wheel-drive system is tuned to be playful while offering excellent levels of wet-weather grip and all-around confidence. It might not be the most practical vehicle in this class, but it's fun and engaging.
Which Countryman does Edmunds recommend?
As with last year's model, we suggest going with the Countryman S with the Signature package. It offers a more powerful engine than the base Countryman and SE trims while being relatively affordable.
MINI Countryman models
Mini breaks down the 2023 Countryman into four basic versions: Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SE All4 and John Cooper Work. Each one uses a different turbocharged powertrain paired with an automatic transmission. There are also three trim levels — Classic, Signature and Iconic — that dictate the number of standard features that the Countryman has. Here's what you can expect from each.
Cooper
The base Countryman Cooper features a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine (134 horsepower, 162 lb-ft of torque) powering the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Choose the optional all-wheel-drive system (Mini calls it All4), and the Cooper trades the dual-clutch for an eight-speed automatic. Note that Mini discontinued this model midway through the 2023 model year.
Cooper S
For satisfying acceleration, select the Cooper S model. It adds more power and torque thanks to its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (189 hp, 207 lb-ft), which pairs with either a dual-clutch automatic in front-wheel-drive models or an eight-speed automatic with all-wheel drive.
Cooper SE All4
The Cooper SE All4 is the plug-in hybrid version of the Countryman. It uses the Cooper's turbocharged three-cylinder gasoline engine to power the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. Separately, a battery pack feeds an electric motor to power the rear wheels. This setup produces a combined 221 hp and gives this version of the Countryman all-wheel drive when both forms of propulsion are active. The EPA estimates that it can go about 17 miles on a full charge.
John Cooper Works
The Countryman JCW is tuned for rousing performance. It uses Mini's most powerful engine, a turbocharged four-cylinder making 301 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque, and delivers the motive force to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. In addition to a sport suspension, the JCW gets unique design details and sport-bolstered seats.
From those models, you can select from the Classic, Signature and Iconic.
Classic
This base version of the Countryman was discontinued midway through the model year but includes:
- Alloy wheels
- LED headlights
- Roof rails
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- Heated mirrors
- Synthetic leather upholstery
- Manually adjustable front seats
- Sliding 60/40-split bench rear seat
- Keyless ignition
- Digital instrumentation
- 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment display
- Panoramic sunroof
- Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that might not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)
- Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
- Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Signature
Stepping up to the Signature adds a handful of extra standard features, but it's your ticket to more paint colors, wheel choices and interior selections.
- Nicer wheels
- Power liftgate
- Passive keyless entry
- Heated front seats
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
Iconic
Equip a Countryman in the Iconic trim, and it adds:
- Larger wheel sizes
- Power-folding mirrors
- Leather upholstery
- Power-adjustable front sport seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Programmable garage door opener
- Navigation system
- Apple CarPlay smartphone integration
- Harman Kardon premium sound system
- Head-up display
- Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Mini and the car in front)
- Automated parking assistant for parallel parking
Most of the Iconic trim level's features are available as options with the Signature trim. For 2023, there's also a new package available for the Countryman S and SE, the Untamed Edition. It includes some styling tweaks, including:
- Choice of gray or white paint
- Body-color exterior trim
- Exterior stripes
- Unique 18-inch wheels
- Black-painted roof, mirror caps and badges
- Blue and green interior trim
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2023 MINI Countryman Features Specs
John Cooper Works Classic ALL4
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $41,500 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 26 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $208/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 17.6 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | all wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
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MINI Countryman vs. Volkswagen Taos
The Taos is one of the newest vehicles in this class, and there's a lot to like with Volkswagen's smallest SUV. It's significantly more affordable than the Cooper, though it lacks the Mini's sporty handling and peppy engines. We also think that the Taos' in-car tech and driver assistance systems are among the best in the class.
MINI Countryman vs. Chevrolet Trailblazer
The Trailblazer was a surprise when it came out. Chevrolet seemingly phoned it in on its last extra-small SUV, the Trax, so we were pleased when the Trailblazer turned out to be a comfortable, stylish and fun-to-drive little compact. It offers lots of in-car tech and driver aids, all at a price that significantly undercuts the Mini.
MINI Countryman vs. Mazda CX-30
The CX-30 is one of the more premium vehicles in this class, with an interior that's much nicer than its price would suggest. The CX-30 rides and handles well, too, and standard all-wheel drive is a big plus when most rivals, Mini included, only offer it as an option. Read Edmunds' long-term road test of the Mazda CX-30.
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Safety
Our experts’ favorite Countryman safety features:
- Active Driving Assistant
- Warns you of a possible collision with an object ahead, and can automatically brake if you fail to take action.
- Active Cruise Control
- Keeps a set distance between the Countryman and the vehicle in front when cruise control is active.
- Parking Assistant
- Autonomously steers the Countryman into a parallel parking spot while you operate the transmission, brake and accelerator.
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test | Good |
---|---|
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test | Not Tested |
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original | Good |
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated | Not Tested |
Side Impact Test – Original | Good |
Side Impact Test – Updated | Not Tested |
Roof Strength Test | Good |
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint | Good |
FAQ
Is the MINI Countryman a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2023 Countryman both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.8 out of 10. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Countryman has 17.6 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a MINI Countryman. Learn more
What's new in the 2023 MINI Countryman?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2023 MINI Countryman:
- New Untamed Edition package available
- Base Cooper and Classic models discontinued midyear
- Part of the second Countryman generation introduced for 2017
Is the MINI Countryman reliable?
To determine whether the MINI Countryman is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Countryman. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Countryman's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2023 MINI Countryman a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2023 MINI Countryman is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2023 Countryman and gave it a 7.8 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2023 Countryman is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2023 MINI Countryman?
The least-expensive 2023 MINI Countryman is the 2023 MINI Countryman John Cooper Works Classic ALL4 4dr Wagon AWD w/Prod. End 08/22 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $41,500.
Other versions include:
- John Cooper Works Classic ALL4 4dr Wagon AWD w/Prod. End 08/22 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $41,500
What are the different models of MINI Countryman?
If you're interested in the MINI Countryman, the next question is, which Countryman model is right for you? Countryman variants include John Cooper Works Classic ALL4 4dr Wagon AWD w/Prod. End 08/22 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A). For a full list of Countryman models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
Related 2023 MINI Countryman John Cooper Works Classic ALL4 info
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