Fast Facts
| Feature | Details |
| Vehicle Type | Premium sports hatchback |
| Engine | 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol |
| Power | 170 kW |
| Torque | 380 Nm |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual clutch automatic |
| Claimed Fuel Consumption | 6.8 L/100 km |
| Tested Fuel Consumption | High 10s L/100 km (mostly urban driving) |
| Boot Space | 210 litres |
| Price (Tested Model) | From R745 574 |
| Safety Features | 6 airbags, Opt Lane Keep Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition |
| Rivals | BMW 118 M Sport, Mercedes-Benz A200, Volkswagen Golf |
| Service Plan | 5-year/100 000 km Maintenance Plan |
Pros
- Boy racer looks
- Powerful 2.0 litre turbo
- Razor-sharp handling
- Lovable character
Cons
- Hushed exhaust note compared to its predecessors
- A car governed by regulations and trends
- Needs a limited-slip differential to put down its power better
In the enthusiast space, John Cooper Works (JCW) is a well-respected moniker. Not just for nostalgia's sake, but even with modern-day Mini fettling, they know how to make a go-kart with a rocket strapped to it. Enter the fourth-generation Mini Cooper hatch, and naturally, the JCW touch was applied to both the internal combustion version and the electric one. We had the internal combustion version on test.
Related: Mini Cooper S 3-door (2025) Review
Styling
The one term you can use to describe the JCW's styling is 'Boy Racer'. In a time where design trends aim to be more minimal and mature, the JCW is lively, youthful and in for a race. Our test unit was finished in Midnight Black ll with red accents in the form of exterior trim pieces, roof and decals on the vehicle. The JCW receives a sportier aero front and rear bumper with a unique single exit centre tailpipe. Our test unit came with diamond-cut 18-inch wheels with wide and low-profile tyres. The Mini hatch retains its iconic design cues, and the JCW treatment is easy on the eyes. You look back at it when you walk away from this car.
Space and Comfort
Inside, the JCW treatment complements the chic interior. The steering wheel is beefier in popular modern BMW fashion and has JCW badging. Bucket seating with a cloth and leather upholstery duo keeps you tight on your technical driving excursions. Cabin trimmings and the dashboard also utilise the red checkered flag decal, and the checkering is also cleverly used in this vehicle's ambient lighting emanating from the infotainment screen. Speaking of infotainment, the classy round infotainment system is present here. Switching the Experience Mode to Go-Kart gives other gauges for you to monitor, such as oil temperature and a G-Meter. Accompanying the infotainment is a Harmon Kardon sound system. The cabin and its furniture have a premium feel. Interestingly, it's not as tiny as you'd think when carrying a few people around. Boot space is rated at 210 litres.
Performance
A 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine provides thrust for this pocket rocket, sending power to the front wheels via a 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. This engine is the same one you'll find in other bigger Mini models, but it is neatly packed in the petite Mini. This package makes 170kW and 380Nm.
The Drive
The JCW has oodles of power, and the suspension setup is fantastic. In testing this vehicle to see what it was capable of, the car eggs you on to go a little faster and some track time was definitely needed here to see where its limits truly are. Power delivery is strong, if not too strong, so that the JCW can overwhelm the front tyres in the lower gears. A limited-slip differential would help it put its power down. The JCW brakes are decent, but could do with an upgraded front pads.
The JCW's engine noise is too tame, especially when you consider how shouty the previous generations were with a unique Mini sound. The artificial audio tries to mitigate that issue, even with synthetic exhaust popping, but it really can't beat the actual Mini JCW sound of old. The JCW, in this instance, has lost some of its edge to make it more accommodating to the masses, but that's what makes the JCW special; it's not a fashion accessory.
Fuel Consumption
The claimed fuel consumption is rated at 6.8 L /100km. In our testing, predominantly urban and open-road driving with a heavier foot, the mark was higher at 10 L/100km.
Safety
Notable safety features include:
- 6 airbags
- Traffic Sign Recognition
- Lane Keep Assist (Optional)
- ISOfix
Price
| Model | Price |
| MINI Cooper C 3-door | from R602 052 |
| MINI Cooper S 3-door | from R646 395 |
| MINI Cooper John Cooper Works | from R745 574 |
The purchase price includes a 5-year/100,000 km maintenance plan and a 2-year/Unlimited km warranty.
*The pricing stated here was correct when published and is subject to change without further notice. The pricing shown here is base pricing.
Rivals
- BMW 118 M Sport
- Mercedes-Benz A200
- Volkswagen Golf
At the moment, you don't exactly get a supermini performance competitor to rival the Mini here in South Africa.
The Verdict
The Mini Cooper JCW was a wild ride and a fun vehicle to tame. It still has some cheeky characteristics, and the chic design is welcome here. Alas, it's a vehicle where regulations and some industry trends are starting to harm the integrity of the JCW formula. For one, the exhaust is too quiet as EU regulations won't allow for something louder. Currently, there isn't an optional extra to boost that volume. Industry trends have dulled its blade slightly to make it more accommodating for the current Mini crowd, but it takes a bit away from what makes this sort of vehicle iconic to the point where it starts to be viewed as more of a fashion accessory. A limited-slip differential would benefit well here to put the power down more easily. Despite this, we'd gladly take another JCW to test again. It was fun to live with, and we'd lap up some more of its lovable character.
Go and give it a drive!
