Why sell the same basic car two different ways?
Well, first of all, you make it not quite the same in order to appeal to two different buyers. This is why, for several decades, GM sold two versions of the Chevy Camaro — the other being the Pontiac Firebird. They were similar but not identical, like fraternal twins.
The Camaro was the value proposition; it cost less and was more basic in terms of its amenities, but you got a lot of performance and style for your dollar.
The Firebird offered a more upscale experience under the Pontiac label, as well as a much larger engine in the high-performance Trans-Am version.
Both sold very well, because they complemented each other rather than competed with each other.
Today, on the same principle, you can buy the Mini Cooper Countryman or get the same basic thing in a more upscale package with a much stronger engine: the BMW X2 M35i.
What It Is
The M35i is basically a Mini Countryman with the optional John Cooper Works (JCW) performance enhancements but enhanced even more and dressed in BMW sheet metal.
They are compact five-door wagons built by the same parent company (BMW owns Mini) and share a common under-the-skin platform, or basic architecture. And they're powered by the same basic 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
But the BMW version of the four-cylinder is packing 302 horsepower versus the JCW Countryman's 228. The BMW also comes standard with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic, whereas the Mini comes with optional AWD and a standard manual transmission.
Both have about the same interior space and cargo space, but each has its own very distinctive appearance, inside as well as outside.
Their respective prices are distinctive, too. The JCW Countryman is the value proposition here, $37,900 to start, while the M35i lists for $46,500. But it's a BMW , after all, and while the Mini is very nice, the BMW is even nicer.
What's New
The high-performance X2 M35i is new for 2019.
You can also get an X2 28i, which is the same thing without standard AWD and with a lower-output version of the turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
It costs $36,400 to $38,400, with the optional AWD system.
What's Good
Power and performance upgrades are not offered in Countryman clothes.
It has a very different look inside and out.
It has better gas mileage than the lower-powered Mini's.
What's Not So Good
Enhancements aren't inexpensive.
The Countryman is available with a manual transmission.
Apple CarPlay costs extra.
Under the Hood
The M35i's 302-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder is one of the most powerful engines of its size you can buy, and the M35i is among the quickest compact wagons you can buy.
It gets to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, versus about 6.3 seconds for the Countryman JCW.
As always, speed is a question of money. How fast do you want to go?
But it won't cost you more for gas. Surprisingly, the M35i's rating of 23 mpg city and 29 mpg highway is slightly better than JCW Countryman's 21 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.
On the Road
The BMW "M" has always promised — and delivered — serious performance, more performance than the JCW Countryman delivers, including the sound of performance.
The M35i has an active exhaust system with a baffle that works like a turbocharger wastegate. It pops open to relieve back pressure and let the engine make maximum power.
At the Curb
The M35i has a dramatically low roofline — its signature styling feature — but first-and second-row headroom (39.8 and 37.1 inches, respectively) are about the same as in the taller-roofed Countryman (39.9 inches and 37.5 inches).
The cars have about the same first- and second-row legroom, but the BMW's slightly longer overall length (172.2 inches versus 169.8 for the Mini) gives it the edge when it comes to cargo room.
The Rest
As a BMW, the M35i comes with almost every imaginable luxury feature but is missing one convenience feature that ought to be standard in a luxury car and usually is in most everyday cars: Apple CarPLay. It's available but optional. The cost is minor, but it's chintzy of BMW to charge extra for this.
The Bottom Line
A faster — fancier — Mini is now available at your local BMW store!
Eric's new book, "Don't Get Taken for a Ride!" is available now. To find out more about Eric and read his past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.
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