2024 Genesis GV80 vs 2024 MINI Countryman

The 2024 MINI Countryman was a visual delight, evoking classic Mini aesthetics with a modern twist. With its upright wraparound windshield, distinctive floating roof, and Union Jack tail lights, the Countryman loudly and proudly announced its British heritage. The variety of customizable paint options, roof, and mirror cap treatments gave buyers the freedom to personalize their ride. However, the lack of standard dark-tinted rear privacy glass was puzzling.

The Countryman offered four models: Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SE, and John Cooper Works, each correlating to a different drivetrain. We tested the Cooper S with the Iconic trim package. At an MSRP of $41,945 (including a $995 destination charge), it came equipped with premium leather, power-adjustable front seats, a head-up display, wireless smartphone charging, a semi-autonomous parking system, a power tailgate, and adaptive damping suspension. The dual-panel moonroof was a standout feature, filling the cabin with natural light.

In stark contrast, the 2024 Genesis GV80 exuded luxury from the inside out. Available in 2.5T and 3.5T models, it offered trim levels ranging from Standard to Prestige Signature, with prices between $57,700 and $81,750, excluding a $1,350 destination charge. Our test model, a 3.5T Prestige Signature, featured an elegant Matterhorn White Matte paint job, bringing its MSRP to $84,600.

The GV80’s Prestige Signature trim introduced dark chrome accents and stylish 22-inch wheels. However, the black paint almost obscured the wheel design, a detail we found less appealing. Inside, the Ultramarine Blue over Dune interior was decadently luxurious, with diamond-stitched Nappa leather, a suede headliner, matte-finish wood trim, and metallic accents. Ambient lighting, a 3D digital instrument cluster, and a wide infotainment touchscreen emphasized the GV80’s flagship status.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered a range of powertrains, but performance enthusiasts gravitated towards the Cooper S and John Cooper Works (JCW) variants. The JCW boasted a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 301 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission. This setup enabled a 0-60 mph sprint in 4.9 seconds.

Most drivers, however, found the Cooper S well-suited for daily driving. It featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 189 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. The Cooper S accelerated to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds (7.1 seconds with the optional ALL4 AWD system). Our test vehicle’s combined fuel economy was EPA-rated at 28 mpg, though we averaged 25.4 mpg during mountainous Southern California testing.

In comparison, the 2024 Genesis GV80 offered robust powertrains that catered to different performance needs. The 2.5T model came with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. Our 3.5T test vehicle packed a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, generating 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. This setup was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD.

The GV80 proved more athletic than expected, with swift acceleration, commendable grip from its P265/40R22 all-season tires, and powerful brakes. The adaptive damping suspension provided a balanced ride, though the vehicle’s 17.2 mpg fuel economy on our testing loop was below the EPA’s combined rating of 20 mpg. The GV80 also offered 8.1 inches of ground clearance and a towing capacity of up to 6,000 pounds.

The 2024 MINI Countryman easily accommodated four adults and enough luggage for a week-long road trip. Our test model, equipped with the Iconic trim package, featured dual-zone automatic climate control, premium leather seats, power-adjustable and heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Although the Countryman had seatbelts for five, the rear seat's tight space made it comfortable only for four passengers.

Cargo space was modest at 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 dimensions due to its battery pack.

In contrast, the 2024 Genesis GV80 provided more interior space and versatility, although some trim levels offered limited seating. The 3.5T Advanced trim included a third-row seat, accommodating up to seven passengers. Our Prestige Signature test model only seated four, with heated and ventilated second-row captain’s chairs and a large center console.

The GV80 offered luxurious features like a panoramic glass roof, triple-zone climate control, and massaging front seats with power-adjustable thigh support and side bolsters. However, the comfort was compromised over long trips due to firm seat cushions. The rear seats, although reclining, didn’t slide back far enough to stretch out.

Cargo space in the GV80 was more generous, measuring 34.9 cubic feet behind the second row and expanding to 84 cubic feet with the seats folded down. However, the tall rear center console in the Prestige Signature trim required careful maneuvering when loading large items.

The 2024 MINI Countryman wasn’t packed with cutting-edge technology, but the available features were user-friendly and functional. Our test vehicle included a head-up display that projected information just inches above the digital instrument cluster. The 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the center of the dashboard used Mini’s version of BMW’s iDrive technology and offered multiple interaction methods: touchscreen, steering wheel controls, center console knob, volume and tuning buttons, and voice recognition. However, Android Auto was notably absent, and only Apple CarPlay was available. The Iconic trim added a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, enhancing the audio experience.

In contrast, the 2024 Genesis GV80 catered to tech enthusiasts with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, standard navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A round control dial on the center console allowed easy access to the system, enabling drivers to avoid stretching to reach the touchscreen.

The GV80 came with a digital key system, allowing smartphone-based unlocking and starting. Most trim levels featured a Lexicon premium sound system, with the Prestige Signature adding wireless smartphone charging in the second row. The head-up display in the Prestige and Prestige Signature models was particularly useful, showing blind-spot warnings and other critical information.

The 2024 MINI Countryman seemed somewhat dated in terms of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Rear parking sensors and a reversing camera were also standard, with optional adaptive cruise control available on Signature and Iconic trims. However, the Countryman lacked modern safety technologies like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera system. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the Countryman its highest rating of Good in crashworthiness evaluations, albeit with incomplete testing data.

The 2024 Genesis GV80, on the other hand, came with a comprehensive suite of standard and available ADAS. Highlights included a camera-based Blind-Spot View Monitor, Remote Smart Parking Assist, and Highway Driving Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist and lane-change assist. During our test, Highway Driving Assist worked well in light or dense, slow-moving traffic but was less effective in moderate to heavy, high-speed traffic.

The GV80’s Blind-Spot View Monitor used cameras to display blind-spot video feeds within the digital instrument panel during lane changes, providing an extra layer of safety. Genesis also included Remote Smart Parking Assist, allowing the GV80 to park itself autonomously while the driver stood outside the vehicle.

In terms of crash safety, the GV80 received the highest possible ratings from both the IIHS (Top Safety Pick+) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), earning a five-star overall rating, with a four-star rating in the frontal-impact test.