2024 Jeep Wrangler vs 2024 MINI Countryman

The 2024 MINI Countryman, like all Minis, didn't take itself too seriously. It boasted classic Mini styling cues, featuring an erect wraparound windshield, a floating roof reminiscent of a bimini top, and the iconic Union Jack tail lights that declared its British heritage. The Countryman could be dressed in numerous paint, roof, and mirror cap paint treatments, and had multiple wheel designs to choose from. Unusually, dark tinted rear privacy glass was an optional feature rather than standard.

The 2024 MINI Countryman lineup included Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SE, and John Cooper Works model designations, each related to specific drivetrains. The Coopers came with a turbocharged three-cylinder engine, Cooper S and John Cooper Works versions had turbocharged four-cylinders in different states of tune, and the Cooper SE was a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle offering 18 miles of electric-only driving. The model's trim packages ranged from Classic to Signature and topped with Iconic, with each offering various features dependent on the chosen version.

The test car arrived as a Cooper S with the Iconic trim, dark-tinted privacy glass, adaptive damping suspension, and 19-inch wheels wrapped in summer performance tires. The MSRP was $41,945, including the $995 destination charge. Iconic trim brought with it premium leather, power-adjustable front seats, a head-up display, wireless smartphone charging, a semi-autonomous parking system, and a power tailgate. Standard digital instrumentation, an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a dual-panel moonroof added to the classic Mini character and design layout.

In contrast, the 2024 Jeep Wrangler showcased a burly, body-on-frame design shared across its range of powertrains and off-road systems. While keen eyes might notice larger tires on capable models like the Rubicon X and Rubicon 392, the Wrangler generally retained the same rugged appearance regardless of engine or transfer case. New features for the year included a redesigned grille for better airflow, an antenna integrated into the windshield to avoid snags, and ten new wheel designs.

Built for rugged adventures, the Wrangler offered a variety of roofs—from traditional soft-tops to full hard tops and power-retractable sunroofs. Its windshield could fold down, and doors could be removed entirely or replaced with full doors, half doors, or tube doors from Mopar.

The 2024 MINI Countryman had varied performance capabilities based on its model. The Cooper, equipped with a turbocharged three-cylinder engine, was perceived as underpowered and slow. The Cooper SE, a plug-in hybrid, offered moderate electric range and slight fuel efficiency improvements. However, for most buyers, the Cooper S and John Cooper Works models presented the best options.

The John Cooper Works version was a powerhouse, featuring a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 301 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque. Coupled with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission powering all four wheels, it could sprint to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. Meanwhile, the Cooper S version—with 189 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque from the same type of engine—boasted sufficient speed for daily drives. With front-wheel drive, the Cooper S used a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and with the ALL4 all-wheel-drive option, it employed an eight-speed sport automatic. The Cooper S could reach 60 mph in about 7.2 seconds.

In comparison, the 2024 Jeep Wrangler came with a variety of engines. A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder produced 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, while a plug-in hybrid variant of this engine ramped up to 375 ponies and 470 pound-feet of torque. Additionally, a 3.6-liter V6 engine offered 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, and the robust 6.4-liter V8 powerplant pushed out 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque.

Various transfer cases enhanced the Wrangler’s off-road prowess. Command-Trac provided 4WD for Sport and Sahara trims, while the full-time 4WD Selec-Trac system catered to those seeking speed, like in the Wrangler 392. The rugged Rubicon trim featured the Rock-Trac transfer case offering part-time or full-time 4WD. Most Wrangler models had an eight-speed automatic transmission, though a six-speed manual was available with the 3.6-liter engine.

The 4xe PHEV Wrangler shone brightest in this comparison, offering a combination of 21 miles of all-electric range and excellent power. Our test drive of the 4xe Rubicon revealed its front and rear locking differentials and an Offroad+ button for superior rock-crawling and dune-driving setups. The vehicle’s solid axles contributed to excellent articulation, while the BF Goodrich KO2 tires provided substantial off-road grip and puncture resistance. The Willys trim was a noteworthy alternative, offering standard Offroad+ mode, 33-inch tires, a rear locking differential, and rock rails.

The 2024 MINI Countryman supported four adults comfortably, with enough luggage space for a week-long trip. Our test vehicle with the Iconic trim brought dual-zone automatic climate control, premium leather seats, heated power-adjustable front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Mini provided ample legroom and foot space for rear passengers, though it was more suitable for four adults rather than five.

Visibility was excellent, thanks to the vehicle’s compact size, making it easy to park. While features like a surround-view camera and rear-cross-traffic alert were missing, parking sensors and a reversing camera somewhat compensated for those omissions. Interior storage was reasonable, though the smartphone charging pad under the armrest did block access to the storage tray beneath.

Cargo capacity was limited in the MINI Countryman, with 17.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 47.6 cubic feet with the seat folded down. The Cooper SE PHEV model had slightly less space due to its battery pack.

Conversely, the 2024 Jeep Wrangler brought an upgraded towing capacity to the table, now rated at 5,000 pounds for four-door Rubicon models with specific engines and equipment. However, all other models were limited to 3,500 pounds. Inside, the Wrangler offered features like heated seats and a newly available 12-way power-adjustable front seats resistant to water exposure.

The Wrangler 4xe included a useful 30-amp Power Box from the 17.3-kWh battery, capable of powering various accessories from blenders to power tools. While ventilated seats weren't available, the Wrangler excelled in meeting the demands of rugged adventurers with practical interior features.

Comparing the cargo capacity, the MINI Countryman offered 17.6 cubic feet with seats up and 47.6 cubic feet with seats down, whereas the Wrangler offered significant towing capability add-ons.

While the MINI Countryman didn't excel in new technology, it incorporated practical and user-friendly features. Digital instrumentation displayed on the steering column and a head-up display provided useful driving data. The 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, integrated into a round housing on the dashboard, used BMW’s iDrive technology and offered multiple interaction methods, including touchscreen, steering wheel controls, a control knob, and voice recognition. Unfortunately, Android Auto was not available, but Apple CarPlay made the cut. The Iconic trim also boasted a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system.

In contrast, the 2024 Jeep Wrangler impressed with its technology overhaul. All models featured a 12.3-inch infotainment screen running Uconnect5, and navigation was optional. The interface was cleaner, faster, and easier to use, especially evident in the Off-Road Pages which offered real-time data on vehicle conditions. Connectivity was a highlight with plenty of USB ports, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto offered standard. New features included a trail guide system—Trails Offroad—providing detailed trail information and the ability to record and share trails. Other advancements included a wireless hotspot, dual Bluetooth phone pairing, and multiple user profiles.

In terms of safety, the MINI Countryman fell short with fewer advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) than expected. Minimal offerings included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, rear parking sensors, and an emergency SOS call button. Optional adaptive cruise control was available with higher trims. The Countryman lacked blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and a surround-view camera. The IIHS rating was incomplete due to new testing procedures, but previous crashworthiness scores earned the top rating of “Good.”

Meanwhile, the 2024 Jeep Wrangler had improved safety features. First- and second-row side-curtain airbags were new additions. Forward collision warning came standard on all but the base model, and additional ADAS features like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and park assist were available packages (High Altitude and 392 models had them standard). Lacking were lane-keeping assist and other highway aids. The Wrangler had not yet been rated for 2024 by NHTSA or IIHS, but the 2023 model’s ratings hinted at moderate improvements anticipated for 2024.