MINI John Cooper Works (08 on) - Review

Review by Simon Harris on
Last Updated: 04 August 2009
The John Cooper Works is the ultimate model in the MINI line-up and adds genuine high-performance and extreme looks to the already impressive car. Available in all three bodystyles - hatch, convertible and Clubman - the JCW models use the same 1.6-litre petrol engine as the Cooper and Cooper S models but tuned to deliver 211bhp. This gives it impressive pace and thanks to tuned suspension, upgraded brakes and sharper steering, it's even more fun to drive than the standard MINI - itself a great handling car. Fuel economy of around 40mpg and a superb value servicing package available from MINI dealers, means it needn't be expensive to run either.
4.5 out of 5

Other MINI reviews

4 out of 5

Safety

Standard electronic stability control and six airbags ensure the John Cooper Works is one of the safest cars on sale. The MINI hatch has also scored well in official European crash tests, with a maximum five-star score for adult occupant protection.

NCAP Test

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  • Adult Occupant Rating

    5 out of 5

  • Child Protection Rating

    3 out of 5

  • Pedestrian Test Rating

    2 out of 5
4 out of 5

Reliability

We've heard of no major reliability problems with this second-generation BMW MINI, so the John Cooper Works shouldn't have any nasty surprises for owners.

Car check problem points

Body

No problems reported.

Engine/Gearbox

No problems reported.

Other

No problems reported.