2024 MINI Countryman vs 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2024 MINI Countryman stayed true to its heritage with a quirky and distinctive design. This car, like all Minis, reveled in its playful aesthetic, featuring classic MINI styling cues, a wraparound windshield, and a striking floating roof that resembled a bimini top. Its Union Jack tail lights proudly showcased its British roots. Buyers could choose from a variety of paint, roof, and mirror cap treatments, as well as multiple wheel designs. One oddity, though, was that dark-tinted rear privacy glass was not standard but an option.

The Countryman lineup included several model designations based on the drivetrain: Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SE, and John Cooper Works. The Coopers came with an underpowered turbocharged three-cylinder engine, while the Cooper S and John Cooper Works models boasted a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with varying power. The Cooper SE featured a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) with an 18-mile electric range before switching to gas-electric hybrid mode, delivering 29 mpg in combined driving.

Our test vehicle represented the Cooper S with the high-end Iconic trim package. It came with dark-tinted privacy glass, an adaptive damping suspension, and 19-inch wheels wrapped in summer performance tires, reaching a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $41,945, including the $995 destination charge.

The Iconic trim equipped the Countryman with premium leather, power-adjustable front seats, a head-up display, wireless smartphone charging, a semi-autonomous parking system, a power tailgate, and numerous ways to customize the SUV’s appearance. Despite these upgrades, standard features like digital instrumentation, an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and classic Mini design elements remained. The dual-panel moonroof filled the cabin with natural light, enhancing its singular and unmistakable small SUV experience.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe took a bold design approach, distinct from its predecessors and sibling models. While models like the Hyundai Palisade and Ioniq 5 hinted at a futuristic design language, the Santa Fe went a different route. Design chief SangYup Lee stated that the team aimed to make an elegant and premium-looking box, prioritizing storage capacity.

Despite its boxy shape, the new Santa Fe was aerodynamically efficient and looked upscale. It drew attention and turned heads, even among the staff and motorcycle gang at a rural Tennessee general store.

The car's design featured sophisticated exterior colors, including several matte options, and anodized-finish badging introduced with the Ioniq 6. Most trims had standard 18-inch alloy wheels, while the Limited and Hybrid Calligraphy versions got 20-inch wheels, and the gas-only Calligraphy came with 21-inch wheels.

Inside, the Santa Fe boasted premium styling, especially in the all-terrain XRT and loaded Calligraphy trims we tested. Though some out-of-the-way surfaces, like the door panels in the Calligraphy, had hard materials, they were thoughtfully integrated. The headliner’s fabric was particularly luxurious.

Performance-wise, the 2024 MINI Countryman had several options. The base Cooper with its turbocharged three-cylinder engine was underwhelming in power, while the Cooper SE plug-in hybrid provided only a modest electric range and a slight improvement in fuel efficiency. Thus, the Cooper S and John Cooper Works models became the stars.

The John Cooper Works (JCW) model was a powerhouse, featuring a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 301 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission driving all four wheels. MINI claimed the JCW could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds.

The more popular option for many was the MINI Cooper S. With the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, though producing 189 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, it felt both zippy and athletic in daily driving. Equipped with front-wheel drive, it came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (DCT). Opting for the ALL4 all-wheel-drive (AWD) provided an eight-speed sport automatic, despite adding 205 pounds of curb weight.

The claimed 0-60 mph time for the Cooper S was 7.2 seconds, which dropped to 7.1 seconds with ALL4. We noted that peak torque arrived at just 1,350 rpm, enhancing the daily driving experience. However, it shined in commuting and running errands rather than off-road adventures.

Our test drive in Southern California averaged 25.4 mpg, though the EPA rating was 28 mpg in combined driving. Maybe trying out the Green mode might have improved fuel economy.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a solid performance lineup starting with a base 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, producing 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. While front-wheel drive was standard across most trims, all-wheel drive was optional, except in the AWD-standard XRT trim.

Driving modes included Normal, Sport, and Snow, with the XRT trim adding off-road modes. Later in the year, the Santa Fe would also offer a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid engine with a six-speed automatic transmission, delivering an estimated combined 231 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque.

Fuel economy projections varied by configuration: the base model with FWD was rated at 20 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined, while AWD versions scored 20/28/23. The off-road XRT trim’s ratings dipped further to 19/26/22 due to additional ground clearance and robust 30-inch all-terrain tires. The Santa Fe Hybrid FWD was rated at 36/35/36, and the AWD hybrid at 35/34/34.

The XRT model particularly impressed with its towing capacity, achieving 4,500 pounds compared to the typical 3,500 pounds due to additional cooling features. The off-road experience in the XRT trim felt comparable to competitors like the Kia Telluride X-Pro and Subaru Forester, handling remote camping trips competently.

During our road test, the Santa Fe Calligraphy’s performance felt smooth and stable, with minimal acceleration, throttle response, and shifting issues. However, noticeable body roll through turns made passengers slide slightly.

Inside the MINI Countryman, we found ample room for four adults and their luggage for a week-long trip. The Iconic trim in our test vehicle provided dual-zone automatic climate control, premium leather upholstery, power-adjustable heated front seats, and a thick-rimmed heated steering wheel. The seats were small but comfortable and supportive, and the steering wheel was a joy to grip.

The rear seats offered sufficient legroom and foot room for larger passengers, but squeezing in a third passenger in the back was challenging unless they were children. Visibility was excellent, facilitating easy parking, although we missed features like a surround-view camera and rear cross-traffic alert.

Cargo measurements were modest, with 17.6 cubic feet available behind the back seat – enough for two full-size suitcases side by side. Removing the cargo cover allowed for vertical luggage stacking. Folding the 40/20/40-split rear seat expanded the cargo space to 47.6 cubic feet, though the PHEV model offered slightly less due to its battery pack.

Hyundai’s “chabak” concept heavily influenced the Santa Fe’s form and function. The SUV’s wheelbase was extended by about two inches, and the body was two inches longer and taller compared to its predecessor, enhancing the cargo area significantly. The spacious cargo area, complete with an extra-wide tailgate, was designed with camping and tailgating in mind, featuring an inviting floor and ample storage to avoid clutter.

Despite the cargo space focus, other areas didn’t compromise. The first and second rows were spacious and comfortable, while the third row remained snug, suitable mainly for short trips or small children. The Santa Fe was shorter and narrower than the Palisade and Kia Telluride, but still offered substantial passenger space.

Depending on the trim, the second row had a choice of a bench or reclining captain’s chairs. Upholstery options ranged from stain-resistant cloth in the SE to plush quilted Nappa leather in the Calligraphy. Heated front seats were standard from the SEL trim upwards, with Limited and Calligraphy trims adding seat ventilation. Storage pockets and bottle holders were present across all three rows.

Cargo capacity started at 14.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 40.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 79.6 cubic feet with the second row down. Roof rails could support up to 220 pounds, and a new grab handle assisted with loading cargo. Higher trims offered UV sanitization compartments in the glovebox for extra convenience.

The technology in the MINI Countryman was straightforward yet effective. A digital instrumentation display sat on the steering column, complemented by a head-up display (HUD) for easily accessible information. The centerpiece was an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system housed within a round casing reminiscent of classic Mini models.

The infotainment system, borrowing from parent company BMW’s iDrive technology, offered five interaction methods: touchscreen, volume and tuning controls, steering wheel controls, a control knob and buttons on the center console, and a voice-recognition system. Although lacking Android Auto, Apple CarPlay was available and provided adequate connectivity.

The Iconic trim added a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, delivering excellent audio quality and a significant improvement over the standard six-speaker setup.

The Hyundai Santa Fe showcased advanced technology, particularly in the XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy trims with a curved panoramic display integrating digital real estate smoothly and elegantly. The display’s intuitive menus and crisp graphics made it a delight to use, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available across all trims.

Higher trims came with a 12-speaker Bose stereo, dynamic voice recognition, and a Wi-Fi hotspot supporting music streaming services. Six USB ports were distributed throughout the cabin. The SE and SEL trims featured a simpler 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display, still packed with plenty of features and four USB ports.

Hyundai’s BlueLink system provided vehicle access and information via smartphones, even working as a virtual key from the SEL trim upwards. It allowed granting or revoking access levels to others. SE and SEL trims missed out on the advanced Hyundai Pay system and biometric fingerprint scanner available in higher trims, which enhanced convenience and security.

Safety-wise, the 2024 MINI Countryman showed its age with basic yet essential advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). All models came with Active Driving Assistant, which included 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 also standard.

Optional adaptive cruise control was available for Signature and Iconic trims, but the Countryman lacked features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping or lane-centering assist, and a surround-view camera system.

In terms of crash-test ratings, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the Countryman the highest rating of “Good” in crashworthiness evaluations conducted thus far.

The safety suite in the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe was comprehensive and typically performed well in crash-test ratings, though it hadn’t been tested yet by IIHS or NHTSA at the time of writing.

The base SE trim included an extensive list of standard features: reversing camera, stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, forward-collision avoidance assist, intersection assist, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, safe-exit assist, lane-keep assist, lane-following assist, driver-attention monitoring, and rear-occupant reminder.

The SEL trim added upgraded rear-occupant reminder systems, forward-attention warning, and side-view mirrors with turn signals. The XRT trim introduced Hyundai’s highway limited hands-free driving system.

Limited trims included a 360-degree camera system, blind-spot view monitor, rain-sensing windshield wipers, comprehensive parking sensors, reverse parking collision assist, remote automatic parking, and a sanitizing glovebox compartment. Calligraphy trims went further, with a widescreen head-up display (HUD) and advanced collision avoidance systems.

A notable feature was the driver monitoring system across all trims. Utilizing an infrared camera and capacitive sensors in the steering wheel, it tracked driver alertness. If the system detected inattentiveness or incapacitation, it issued warnings before stopping the vehicle and notifying emergency services.