Quick Drive – JCW Countryman vs BMW X2

Among one of its most direct competitor, the JCW Countryman is a great buy. That’s our quick (and surprising) opinion after spending five days and 500 miles in the brand new BMW X2 28i. While our full review will go into further depth we thought we’d pull out some of what we’re finding after just a few days:
– The BMW X2 looks great and clearly appeals to a wider group of people than the Countryman JCW based who we’ve spoken to about the two cars.
– There is limited rear visibility in the X2 to the point that changing lanes should be done with great care. On the contrary the Countryman has great visibility.
– The X2 doesn’t offer the rear seat fore and aft adjustment that we’ve found so beneficial on our Countryman.
– Due to the coupe profile, the X2 has noticeably less headroom and less luggage space in the trunk. It also doesn’t have the Countryman’s surprisingly useful picnic bench.
– The X2 doesn’t necessarily feel any more premium than the Countryman in material quality however the overall design is certainly more restrained and angular.
– While the engines and automatic transmissions are identical, on the JCW Countryman offers a manual and thus is immensely more involving
– Even with only a 60 lbs difference, the Countryman feels more lively and eager.
– The Countryman has one major ace in the hole in terms of performance – Brembo four-piston brakes. In both braking performance and feel they are easily superior.
– The cost difference is about what you’d expect. Our JCW Countryman retailed for just under $46,100 while our X2 test car (equipped to the same level) is priced at $50,920 (all including destination).
What does all this mean? The Countryman is clearly the best value here with the same equipment, greater performance (due to less weight and a more aggressive calibration of the suspension), better brakes and more utility. That said it’s hard to argue with style of brand. If those things matter to you and the X2 looks the business in your eyes, that $5k difference might not matter than much.
We’ll have more on these two in our full review coming soon.
9 Comments
<p>Countryman is based off the X1 and has nothing in common, underpinning wise, with the X2. I have a friend at corporate who confirmed it. Compare the Countryman to the X1 because they share identical underpinnings.</p>
<p>Not sure who your friend is at MINI Corporate but hey are incorrect. The X2 in base form is a front wheel drive BMW with awd option similar to the Countryman and clubman. All base fwd bmw’s and all new F Gen MINI’s are based on the UKL 1 or 2 platform including the x1 and x2. You can research the UKL platform which will underpin more than just the x1 and x 2 in the future.</p>
<p><a href="https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/0adf8793706d5e05132b36de43541adddcbab16a193300477b3c8274f45d62a4.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/0adf8793706d5e05132b36de43541adddcbab16a193300477b3c8274f45d62a4.jpg</a></p>
<p>Just a bit more info on the UKL platform.</p>
<p>You are spot on Collin about the UKL platform, but Zach is right when he says that the Countryman is MINIs version of the X1 – it is inappropriate to compare the Countryman with the X2. With hindsight it is unfortunate that BMW sanctioned the F54 Clubman Wagon, rather than a MINI Crossover version of the X2.</p>
<p>Very true! I actually would compare the X2 as an F series Paceman that never was. I currently have a new Countryman but my last MINI was a Paceman and would have loved if MINI came out with a new Paceman but 4 door. Would have had one in a heartbeat!</p>
<p>I assumed that too but the length and weight of the Countryman more closely match the X2.</p>
<p>Either way, it makes a harmless but interesting comparison :)</p>
<p>DIMENSIONS X1 vs F60 vs X2 vs F54</p>
<p>BMW X1 174.76ins L x 71.69ins W x 62.91ins H
MINI F60 169.25ins L x 71.70ins W x 61.30ins H</p>
<p>BMW X2 171.70ins L x 71.80ins W x 60.08ins H
MINI F54 167.44ins L x 70.87ins W x 56.19ins H</p>
<p>BMW/MINI USA SALES YTD</p>
<p>X1- 1,812
F60 1,724
X2- 1,383
F54 0,449</p>
<p>He is a fellow who apparently didn’t know what he was talking about. Won’t be listening to that person again. I gotta be careful. I’m a Brand Ambassador for MINI, lol.</p>
<p>While the X2 will likely outsell the JCW Countryman by more than 100 to 1, the Countryman does offer one clear advantage: Rebel Green :)</p>