MINI John Cooper Works (3-Door) Review: The Weekend Barrister with Racing Gloves

There was a time when a MINI John Cooper Works felt like it was perpetually five minutes away from being confiscated by the authorities. Loud, raw, slightly unruly; and gloriously so.

I vividly remember the R-generation JCW I drove back in 2008, in manual form. It was the sort of car that made you laugh out loud on a good twisty road: Palms sweaty, ego (almost) bruised, but heart full. You didn’t so much drive it; you wrestle it. Crackling exhaust adds more excitement…

Fast forward to 2026, and here we have the brand-new MINI John Cooper Works. Same badge, very different personality. Think of that mischievous young gentleman all grown up; now a lawyer in a crisp suit. Still playful, still sharp, but far more measured. He saves his wild side for the weekends.

The Drive

At the heart of this JCW is a familiar yet heavily refined 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, pushing out 228bhp and 380 Nm of torque, and executing the 0-100 km/h sprint in 6.1 seconds. Those numbers may not sound outrageous in today’s hot-hatch arms race, but in something this compact and tightly wound, they matter. More importantly, how they’re delivered matters even more.

Prod the accelerator in ‘John Cooper Works’ mode, and the car snaps into attention. Throttle response sharpens noticeably, the transmission shifts with more urgency, and the engine feels keener to rev. The JCW rockets forward with real intent - especially from a rolling start -pinning you back just enough to remind you this isn’t just a warm MINI with fancy stripes.

The exhaust note plays along too, popping enthusiastically (you need to switch off the audio to really hear this - damn you, emission standard!), though I can’t help but wish MINI had allowed it to be louder; this car simply deserves a little more theatre.

Handling It

Of course, with all that torque being channelled through the front wheels, one old JCW trait still lingers: torque steer. MINI has done plenty to tame it over the years, but give the throttle a hard prod when the light turns green - even in ‘Auto’ mode - and you’ll feel the steering tug back at you. It’s not alarming, but it’s there. Some will call it a flaw; I’d call it character.

Part of this could be down to the choice of Pirelli Cinturato P7 tyres fitted as standard. They’re premium, yes, but more comfort-biased than outright performance-focused. A set of P Zeros would likely unlock even more grip and let drivers explore the JCW’s cornering limits with greater confidence. That said, on these P7s, the car is surprisingly playful; along tighter corners, it’s not hard to coax the rear into a gentle rotation before the electronic safety nannies politely step in to tidy things up. For a front-wheel-drive hot hatch, that’s good for more than a few cheeky laughs (the wife wasn’t impressed though).

Steering is sharp, quick and accurate, exactly what you’d expect from a JCW. Turn-in is immediate, and the car places itself with real precision. This is the sort of car you want to enjoy fully, wringing it out on a favourite stretch of road or, better yet, an open track. And make no mistake, I’m certain it would be an absolute riot when driven hard in the right environment.

Yet, if I’m being picky - and I am in this particular department - it still feels a tad too electrical. There’s clarity, true, but not quite the raw tactility of the older R-series MINIs.

Through a series of bends, the JCW feels beautifully composed. The body shifts from left to right with assurance, almost rhythmically - like a well-trained dancer changing direction without missing a beat. Even an amateur driver would quickly build confidence here, the car communicating enough to encourage you, but not so much that it intimidates.

That composure, however, comes at a cost: Ride comfort. Let’s not sugar-coat it - the suspension is stiff. Very stiff. As a daily driver on Singapore’s less-than-perfect roads, some may find it tiring. Drivers might tolerate it, even appreciate the firmness, but passengers -especially those at the rear - may feel otherwise. Calling it “spine-misaligning” might be harsh, but not entirely inaccurate. This alone could push some buyers towards more rounded hot hatches.

Braking, meanwhile, is one of the JCW’s standout strengths. Yes, it can feel overly servo’d and bitey at low speeds - something you’ll notice creeping through peak hour CBD traffic. But when you need it to stop hard and fast, it delivers with absolute conviction.

The Inside Story

Inside, the cabin is typically MINI - solid, stylish, and dominated by the large central circular screen. Most functions, including climate control and driver assists, now live here, signalling MINI’s embrace of modern minimalism. Thankfully, paddle shifters remain, preserving some tactile joy for keen drivers.

The panoramic roof is a welcome touch too, adding light and airiness to what is otherwise a dark, purposeful cabin.

In A Nutshell

So, should you buy one?

If you’re after an all-rounder that does everything well, this may not be it. But if you’re a driving enthusiast who values personality, sharp dynamics, and weekend thrills over daily cosseting comfort, the MINI John Cooper Works here remains deeply compelling. It’s grown up, yes - but it hasn’t forgotten how to have fun.

As for me? I’d happily put my name down. Just… perhaps… after the upcoming big TOTO draw.

Photos by Azfar Hashim (@azfar.talks)

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