2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2024 MINI Countryman

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan maintained its design from the previous year, with the most notable update being the addition of a complimentary five-year Car-Net Safe & Secure connected services plan for owners. Available in S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trims, the Tiguan offered a range of prices from $26,950 to $37,680, excluding a $1,295 destination charge. The SEL R-Line trim, priced at $38,975, featured sporty styling and 20-inch machined-finish wheels, giving it a more expensive appearance. Despite the variety of exterior colors, interior colors, wheel designs, and upholstery options, choices were limited by trim level, restricting customization. The test vehicle showcased Atlantic Blue paint and Storm Gray leather, with the interior offering upscale materials and a solid build. The Tiguan's design, though conservative, aged gracefully, and the SEL R-Line trim included advanced lighting features and a stylish light bar across the grille.

The 2024 MINI Countryman embraced its playful nature with classic Mini styling, a wraparound windshield, and Union Jack tail lights. It offered various paint, roof, and mirror cap treatments, along with multiple wheel designs. The lineup included Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SE, and John Cooper Works models, each with distinct powertrains. The Cooper S, with its turbocharged four-cylinder engine, provided a balance of performance and efficiency. The test vehicle, a Cooper S with Iconic trim, featured dark-tinted privacy glass, adaptive damping suspension, and 19-inch wheels. Priced at $41,945, it included premium leather, power-adjustable front seats, a head-up display, and wireless smartphone charging. The Countryman's interior design retained classic Mini character, and the dual-panel moonroof added natural light. Despite its small size, the Countryman offered a unique and unmistakable experience, standing out among bland small SUVs.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with the option for VW's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. The SEL R-Line trim came with AWD as standard, offering various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual. The 4Motion system provided additional settings for different terrains, enhancing the vehicle's adaptability. The Tiguan's fuel economy was rated at 24 mpg in combined driving, though the test vehicle achieved 22.6 mpg. While the powertrain had some quirks, such as turbo lag and delayed downshifts, the Tiguan's dynamic qualities were rewarding, with excellent tire grip and stable handling. The ride quality was compliant, and the vehicle offered good road feel, though some road noise was present. Visibility was excellent, aided by thin windshield pillars and a surround-view camera.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered a range of powertrains, with the John Cooper Works model delivering the most performance. It 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. The JCW model could accelerate to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. The Cooper S model, with 189 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, provided a more balanced performance, achieving 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. The Countryman excelled in daily driving, with a zippy and athletic feel. However, it wasn't as engaging in canyon carving, despite its summer performance tires and adaptive damping suspension. The test vehicle's fuel economy was rated at 28 mpg in combined driving, but it achieved 25.4 mpg during testing. The Countryman was best suited for commuting and errands, with its dynamic qualities shining in everyday scenarios.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a spacious and affordable SUV option, with FWD models featuring a standard third-row seat. However, the third row reduced cargo space, making AWD models more practical for those needing more storage. The SEL R-Line trim provided comfortable front seats with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation, along with a heated steering wheel. While the dashboard had questionable ergonomics, with touch-sensing controls that were difficult to use, the Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space. The rear seat offered generous legroom, headroom, and foot room, with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The cargo area was cavernous, with adjustable load floor height and handy features for convenience. With AWD, the Tiguan offered 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, rivaling some midsize SUVs.

The 2024 MINI Countryman provided room for four adults and their luggage, with the Iconic trim offering dual-zone automatic climate control, premium leather upholstery, and power-adjustable heated front seats. The interior design featured small but supportive seats, with excellent outward visibility and easy parking due to the vehicle's dimensions. While the Countryman lacked some advanced parking technologies, it offered reasonable interior storage, though the smartphone charging pad blocked access to the tray beneath it. Cargo space was limited, with 17.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 47.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The 40/20/40-split folding back seat allowed for carrying longer items without sacrificing passenger space. The Countryman's cargo capacity was smaller than class standards, but it provided a unique and enjoyable driving experience.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line trim offering a larger 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and a nine-speaker Fender premium sound system. However, the system's user interface was complex, with multi-layer processes for simple tasks. The voice-recognition system underperformed, likely due to inactive subscriptions. Despite these quirks, the Tiguan's technology offered a range of features, though it required acclimation to use effectively.

The 2024 MINI Countryman, while not a technology powerhouse, offered useful features. The test vehicle included a head-up display and an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with multiple interaction methods. The system used BMW's iDrive technology, providing a user-friendly experience once acclimated. The voice-recognition system performed well, though the Countryman lacked Android Auto connectivity. The Iconic trim included a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, enhancing the audio experience. Despite its limitations, the Countryman's technology was practical and easy to use.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in safety features, offering tech often found in luxury models. Standard features included Front Assist and Side Assist, with forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. The IQ.Drive package added adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and more. The Tiguan's safety technology worked seamlessly, providing a refined driving experience. However, crash-test ratings were incomplete, with concerns about the driver's door unlatching during a side-impact test.

The 2024 MINI Countryman showed its age in advanced driving assistance systems, with limited features available. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. Adaptive cruise control was optional, but the Countryman lacked blind-spot monitoring and other advanced systems. The lane-departure warning system provided subtle feedback, and the Countryman earned high crashworthiness ratings from the IIHS, though testing was incomplete.