What’s not?
- Like the Cooper S, the MINI John Cooper Works is available with the £240 adaptive damper option and it’s one we’d recommend if you’re thinking of buying, otherwise the JCW’s ride verges on the harsh and uncomfortable – especially with those optional 18-inch alloy wheels.
- Despite the extra performance and unique exterior and interior styling, we’re not sure if the JCW is any more fun or involving to drive than the more affordable Cooper S.
- Sadly there are no plans yet to offer the JCW in the more practical F55 five-door body.
- The JCW has a premium price to match the MINI badge. Prices start at £24,360, but our MINI John Cooper Works review car had a long list of options taking its price to heady £30,000 +.
Verdict on the MINI John Cooper Works Hatch Steptronic
The new MINI John Cooper Works might be pricey, but few rivals can match this MINI’s talents of performance, quality and desirability. Our only worry is the Cooper S does much the same for less cash.
But if you want the top of the tree MINI – and, frankly, why wouldn’t you? – business buyers are sure to be tempted by the JCW, as its 133 g/km CO2 figure and 49.6 mpg fuel figure mean this high-performance MINI is still cost-effective to run.
