2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2024 MINI Countryman

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E was a bold move by Ford, blending the iconic Mustang styling with a five-door electric crossover SUV. Despite initial skepticism, the design choice proved successful, with the Mach-E's long, narrow, and tall dimensions adorned with Mustang's signature galloping horse emblems, scowling headlights, and tri-bar taillights. This visual connection to the legendary pony car contributed significantly to its popularity. The Mach-E GT, in particular, stood out with its aggressive styling, featuring revised bumpers, unique 20-inch wheels, and a dark front panel resembling a traditional grille. Inside, the Mach-E GT exuded luxury with its sport-bolstered seats wrapped in artificial leather and synthetic suede, complemented by copper stitching and piping. The cabin's high-end look was further enhanced by fabric on the dashboard and door panels, metallic and gloss-black trim, and two rectangular display screens, creating a sporty, upscale, and high-tech ambiance.

In contrast, the 2024 MINI Countryman embraced a playful and classic Mini design, featuring an erect wraparound windshield, a floating roof, and Union Jack tail lights. The Countryman offered a variety of paint, roof, and mirror cap treatments, along with multiple wheel designs, allowing for extensive customization. The interior, especially in the Iconic trim, boasted premium leather, power-adjustable heated front seats, and a thick-rimmed heated steering wheel. The Countryman provided a unique experience with its retro interior design and jaunty styling, making it stand out among small SUVs. However, the rear privacy glass was an optional feature, and the interior space was more suited for four adults, with limited cargo capacity compared to its competitors.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E offered a range of power and efficiency options, with configurations spanning from 266 to 480 horsepower and 317 to 634 pound-feet of torque. The Mach-E GT, equipped with an extended-range battery and AWD, delivered 480 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. The GT Performance Edition package increased torque to 634 lb-ft, reduced the range to 260 miles, and improved handling with an adaptive damping suspension and larger brakes. The Mach-E GT featured driving modes like Whisper, Engage, and Unbridled, with an exclusive Unbridled Extend mode for track use. Despite its impressive speed and power, the Mach-E GT's steering lacked the sharp response expected from a performance vehicle, and its firm suspension resulted in a choppy ride. However, the Mach-E GT was efficient, achieving 2.7 miles per kilowatt-hour during testing, better than the EPA estimate.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered various powertrains, with the John Cooper Works (JCW) model being the most powerful, featuring a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 301 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. The JCW accelerated to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. The Cooper S model, with 189 horsepower and 206 lb-ft of torque, provided a zippy and athletic driving experience, reaching 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. The Countryman excelled in daily driving scenarios, offering a comfortable and engaging ride. However, its fuel efficiency was lower than expected, averaging 25.4 mpg during testing. The Countryman was not designed for off-road adventures, and while it handled twisty roads well, it was not as engaging as the JCW or other Mini models.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E offered a functional and spacious interior, with seating for up to five people and 34.1 cubic feet of cargo space, including a sizable front trunk. The Mach-E GT featured eight-way power-adjustable and heated front seats, wrapped in black ActiveX artificial leather with synthetic suede inserts. The rear seats provided ample space for passengers, and the standard panoramic glass roof added to the airy feel. The Mach-E's cargo capacity expanded to 59.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and the front trunk included a drain plug for easy cleaning.

The 2024 MINI Countryman accommodated four adults comfortably, with enough luggage space for a week-long road trip. The Iconic trim added dual-zone automatic climate control, premium leather upholstery, and a heated steering wheel. The Countryman's upright seating position and excellent outward visibility made it easy to drive and park. However, the interior storage was limited, and the cargo space was smaller than competitors, with 17.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 47.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Countryman's design allowed for carrying longer items with its 40/20/40-split folding back seat.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured a 15.5-inch touchscreen running on Ford's Sync 4A infotainment platform, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, SiriusXM 360L, navigation, and wireless smartphone charging. The system was user-friendly, with natural voice recognition and a comprehensive trip computer. The Mach-E also included a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system and a 10.2-inch digital instrumentation display. The Phone As A Key technology allowed smartphone-based vehicle access, adding convenience despite initial skepticism.

The 2024 MINI Countryman, while not a technology powerhouse, offered a useful infotainment system with an 8.8-inch touchscreen using BMW's iDrive technology. The system provided multiple interaction methods, including touchscreen, steering wheel controls, a control knob, and voice recognition. However, it lacked Android Auto, offering only Apple CarPlay. The Iconic trim included a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, enhancing the audio experience. The Countryman's technology was straightforward and easy to use, despite its limited connectivity options.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0, including BlueCruise hands-free highway driving. BlueCruise 1.2 added features like lane-change and predictive speed assist, but the system required constant monitoring. The Mach-E received top safety ratings from the IIHS and was a Top Safety Pick for 2022, though NHTSA ratings were incomplete.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered basic safety features with its Active Driving Assistant, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. However, it lacked advanced systems like blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist. The Countryman received high crashworthiness ratings from the IIHS, but testing was incomplete due to new procedures.