2023 Subaru Outback vs 2024 MINI Countryman

The 2023 Subaru Outback underwent a facelift, featuring a new front end with redesigned LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark gray vertical cladding. This design gave the Outback an aggressive appearance, further enhanced by a jutting simulated skid plate, fog lights in oversized housings, and asymmetrical wheel arch trim reminiscent of the Wilderness model. The Onyx Edition, with its black wheels and trim, complemented the bold cladding, making it a more appealing choice for those who preferred a darker paint color to tone down the design's excesses. The Outback's interior, especially in the Touring trim, was praised for its upscale Java Brown leather and cohesive design, despite some hard plastic elements.

The 2024 MINI Countryman retained its classic Mini styling cues, including an erect wraparound windshield, a floating roof, and Union Jack tail lights. The Countryman offered numerous paint, roof, and mirror cap treatments, along with multiple wheel designs. The interior, especially in the Iconic trim, featured premium leather, power-adjustable heated front seats, and a thick-rimmed heated steering wheel. The Countryman was known for its excellent outward visibility and tidy dimensions, making it easy to park. However, it lacked some advanced driver assistance systems, which might have been a drawback for some consumers.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured horizontally opposed engines, known for their flat design and characteristic grumble. The standard engine produced 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, but the 3,781-pound vehicle often felt underpowered, especially during passing and climbing. The turbocharged XT models offered a more satisfying 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, though at the cost of fuel efficiency. The Outback's CVT was programmed to mimic an eight-speed automatic, and all models came with standard AWD. The Outback excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to its X-Mode traction system and generous ground clearance, but the standard engine's lack of power was a notable drawback.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered a range of powertrains, with the John Cooper Works model boasting a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 301 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. This model could accelerate to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds. The Cooper S, with its 189 horsepower and 206 lb-ft of torque, provided a zippy and athletic feel for daily driving. The Countryman excelled in commuting and errand-running, though it wasn't as engaging in canyon carving. The test vehicle's fuel economy was slightly disappointing, averaging 25.4 mpg compared to the EPA's 28 mpg rating.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility with features like a purposeful roof rack, flat door sill trim, and a dashboard storage shelf. The Touring trim offered a comfortable interior with 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and premium Nappa leather upholstery. The Outback provided ample legroom and cargo space, with 32.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 75.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The vehicle's design made it easy to enter and exit, and the robust roof rack was ready for accessories.

The 2024 MINI Countryman accommodated four adults comfortably, with premium leather upholstery, power-adjustable heated front seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control in the Iconic trim. The Countryman offered excellent outward visibility and easy parking, though it lacked some advanced parking technologies. Interior storage was reasonable, but the cargo space was limited to 17.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 47.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The 40/20/40-split folding back seat design allowed for carrying longer items without sacrificing passenger space.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured a Starlink 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The system included physical controls for volume, tuning, and climate control, while other functions were embedded in the touchscreen. The voice-recognition system was criticized for its limited functionality, but the wireless smartphone connectivity was a welcome addition. Additional technologies included a camera-based digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree front-view camera.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a version of BMW's iDrive technology. The system provided multiple ways to interact, including a touchscreen, control knob, and voice-recognition system. The voice-recognition system was praised for its accuracy, though the system lacked Android Auto connectivity. The Iconic trim included a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, which was a significant improvement over the standard six-speaker system.

The 2023 Subaru Outback was equipped with EyeSight cameras and an electronic brake booster, earning top safety marks from the IIHS. The Base model included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims offered additional features like blind-spot monitoring and a Wide-Angle Mono Camera for better pedestrian detection. The Outback's safety systems were generally effective, though some features, like the rear automatic braking system, had limitations.

The 2024 MINI Countryman had limited advanced driving assistance systems, with Active Driving Assistant providing forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. The Countryman lacked features like blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist, which might have been a drawback for some consumers. The IIHS rated the Countryman highly in crashworthiness evaluations, but the lack of comprehensive safety features was a notable omission.