The Mini JCW is all about extra performance and having the extra notch in your wallet to buy one.
The sole 2-liter turbo engine pumps out 228hp and while it does a good job in larger vehicles such as the BMW X1, we love it even more here because the Hardtop 3-door doesn’t really weigh much so it’s even more of a doddle to drive. You can choose between a proper six-speed manual gearbox and six-speed automatic. We haven’t had the opportunity to test drive this with the proper manual gearbox, but the auto gearbox does a good enough job for those who can’t drive three pedals.
Driving the JCW around isn’t like any other car on the road. The steering weighs up nicely but the ride is overly firm and there’s just way too much wind and road noise for our liking. However, you’ll enjoy how fun to drive the JCW feels, especially when you push through tight corners and bends where the JCW shines. The driving position is spot on good, with excellent visibility all round. The JCW is tiny to begin with and if you have a hard time parking this or driving it around, your only other options are a Smart Fortwo or nothing at all.
The front seat is where you’ll want to be because the rear seat is cramped. You can fit two people in the back but everyone has to be on board about sharing out the space. The boot space is okay, we’re not going to knock it too much considering how small it is, but for those who will use it for weekly shopping there is enough space for that, and if more space is needed you can fold down the rear seat. The dash board is where we’ve always loathe Minis. They are all style and very little in functionality. The newer Minis have easier to use infotainment screens and the dash board isn’t a complete mess like it was in prior generations. It does feel as if Mini has instead changed the switch gear for eye appeal instead of ease of use, the toggle push button ignition is pretty charming to say the least.
Mini tends to be stingy when it comes to standard kit, and our tester car shows it. HID headlights are standard, as well as 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control and 6.5-inch infotainment screen. Navigation system is optional, along with power-folding and auto-dimming exterior mirrors, alarm system, Mini Head-Up display and comfort access. What was once considered a bargain hot hatch turned into a very expensive proposition with nearly $10k worth of options added on, but the tradeoff is residuals are very high and there resale value is strong too because Minis are desirable vehicles.
You’ll have to really want a Mini JCW to pay the premium for one. We certainly had mixed feelings when it came to having one. It’s oddball styling and fun to drive nature will win over many fans, but for everyone else it may seem a tad to impractical. Plus, your options in this segment are limited too. You could get a five-door hatchback and call it a day but you’ll be missing out on the point of this vehicle. It’s the closest thing to a BMW one can buy without having to pay the premium for one, and with all the bells and whistles the JCW is still cheaper than a 2-series BMW. What we are trying to say here is this, you’d buy this with your heart instead of your brain, and your wallet may take a hit with the purchase but your investments are well protected.
Likes: The JCW is more fun to drive than you’d think. It’s easy to live with thanks to sharp steering and responsive handling.
Dislikes: Mini is stingy on standard kit. There’s just way too much wind and road noise for our liking. If you need a rearview parking camera to park this, you don’t need to be driving.
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