2023 Mazda CX-5 vs 2024 MINI Countryman

The 2023 Mazda CX-5, despite its age, continued to be a strong contender in the compact crossover SUV market. It was known for its stylish design and high-quality materials, giving it the appearance and feel of a small luxury SUV. The CX-5 offered a turbocharged engine option that delivered impressive power, and it boasted a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Mazda's decision to transition the CX-5 to the CX-50 was part of a broader marketing strategy, similar to Infiniti's rebranding of the G37. The CX-5 was available in eight versions, with prices ranging from $26,700 to $39,650, and the top-of-the-line 2.5 Turbo Signature model featured premium Nappa leather and a Rhodium White metallic paint option.

The 2024 MINI Countryman, like all Minis, embraced a playful and distinctive design. It featured classic Mini styling cues, including a wraparound windshield, a floating roof, and Union Jack tail lights. The Countryman offered a variety of paint, roof, and mirror cap options, along with multiple wheel designs. The lineup included Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SE, and John Cooper Works models, each with different powertrains. The Cooper S and John Cooper Works versions were equipped with turbocharged four-cylinder engines, while the Cooper SE was a plug-in hybrid. The test vehicle, a Cooper S with Iconic trim, included premium leather, power-adjustable front seats, and a head-up display. The Countryman's interior was characterized by its retro design and excellent outward visibility, making it a unique choice in the small SUV segment.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options. The base 2.5 S model featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. It achieved an EPA fuel economy rating of 26 mpg in combined driving. The 2.5 Turbo model, on the other hand, boasted a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel, or 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet on regular gas. This engine also came with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, with an EPA rating of 24 mpg in combined driving. The CX-5's turbocharged engine provided a thrilling driving experience, with responsive handling and a firm, connected ride quality.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered a range of powertrains. The John Cooper Works model featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 301 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. It could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds. The Cooper S model, with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivered 189 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. It was available with front-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission or all-wheel drive with an eight-speed sport automatic. The Cooper S achieved 28 mpg in combined driving, although our test vehicle averaged 25.4 mpg. The Countryman excelled in daily driving scenarios, offering a zippy and athletic feel, but it wasn't as engaging for spirited driving as the John Cooper Works model.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 received updates for the 2022 model year, including improved front seats for enhanced comfort and support. The interior featured high-quality materials, with options for power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control. However, the CX-5's technology, storage space, rear-seat room, and cargo capacity were somewhat limited. It offered 30.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 59.3 cubic feet with the seats folded down, which was less than some competitors but more than certain entry-luxury models.

The 2024 MINI Countryman provided seating for four adults and their luggage, making it suitable for road trips. The Iconic trim included dual-zone automatic climate control, premium leather upholstery, and power-adjustable heated front seats. The Countryman's interior was characterized by its supportive seats and excellent outward visibility. While it had seatbelts for five, four passengers would be more comfortable. The Countryman offered reasonable interior storage, but the smartphone charging pad blocked access to the tray beneath it. Cargo space was limited, with 17.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 47.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The Cooper SE PHEV model had slightly smaller cargo measurements.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display. While it had sophisticated graphics and a logical menu structure, the system was frustrating to use due to its lack of a helpful voice recognition system and awkward physical controls. The control knob required twists and pushes to execute commands, making it distracting. Mazda Connect offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year trial of Mazda Connected Services. Upper trims included a 10-speaker Bose audio system and a surround-view camera system.

The 2024 MINI Countryman wasn't a technology powerhouse, but it offered useful features. The test vehicle had a head-up display and an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with BMW's iDrive technology. The system could be controlled via touchscreen, volume and tuning controls, steering wheel controls, a control knob, and voice recognition. While it lacked Android Auto, it supported Apple CarPlay. The Iconic trim included a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, providing excellent sound quality.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety with its i-Activsense driver assistance technology. Most features were standard, with additional features like a surround-view camera system and Traffic Jam Assist available on higher trims. The CX-5 received five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, it lacked a warning for driving without headlights at night, which was a concern.

The 2024 MINI Countryman had limited advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). It included Active Driving Assistant with forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Rear parking sensors and an emergency SOS call button were standard, with adaptive cruise control available on higher trims. The Countryman lacked features like blind-spot monitoring and a surround-view camera system. The IIHS provided crashworthiness ratings, with the Countryman earning the highest rating of Good.