2024 Kia Sorento vs 2024 MINI Countryman

The 2024 MINI Countryman exuded a quirky and distinct charm that was immediately recognizable. Embracing classic Mini styling, its design featured an iconic wraparound windshield and a floating roof that resembled a bimini top. The Union Jack tail lights shouted British heritage with pride. Buyers had the freedom to customize their Countryman with various paint options, roof, and mirror cap paint treatments, along with multiple wheel designs. However, oddly enough, dark tinted rear privacy glass was optional rather than standard.

The 2024 Countryman lineup included various models: Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SE, and John Cooper Works, each corresponding to distinct drivetrains. Coopers came with an underwhelming turbocharged three-cylinder engine. In contrast, the Cooper S and John Cooper Works models boasted a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in varying states of tune. The Cooper SE was a plug-in hybrid offering 18 miles of electric range before switching to gas-electric hybrid mode, achieving 29 mpg combined.

On the other hand, the 2024 Kia Sorento sported its first major visual update since its 2021 redesign. The Sorento had always been attractive, yet it often got overshadowed by Kia's wildly popular Telluride. For 2024, inspired by both the Telluride and EV9, the Sorento received a more rugged front end, stylish taillights, and a modern, upscale interior.

Outside, the Sorento featured a formidable new grille flanked by vertically-stacked LED headlights and wing-like amber LED daytime running lights. The restyled rear design was more subtle, with higher trims gaining sleek LED taillights and all models receiving updated bumpers. New wheel designs were also available across most trim levels.

Inside, the Sorento’s dashboard underwent a significant revamp, adopting a cleaner, more horizontal design similar to the EV9, making the previous version look cluttered by comparison. The gauge cluster and infotainment display now resided under a single pane of glass in higher trims, offering a twin 12.3-inch display that exuded luxury.

When it came to performance, the 2024 MINI Countryman had several variants catering to different needs. The John Cooper Works (JCW) model was a performance beast, featuring a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produced 301 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission, it propelled the JCW to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, ensuring that speed enthusiasts were well-catered for.

For those seeking a balance between performance and daily usability, the Cooper S model was ideal. It also featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine but tuned down to 189 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque. When equipped with front-wheel drive, the Cooper S had a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which provided an energetic 7.2-second sprint to 60 mph. The addition of all-wheel drive, although adding 205 pounds, tightened this time to 7.1 seconds.

In contrast, the base model of the 2024 Kia Sorento employed a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, which felt underwhelming given the vehicle’s 3,814-pound weight. Taking nearly 10 seconds to reach 60 mph, this engine left much to be desired in terms of performance.

However, for a more spirited drive, the EX and higher trims offered a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which generated a more robust 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. This engine, mated with a dual-clutch eight-speed automatic transmission, delivered a respectable 0-60 mph time within the mid-seven-second range. Though it wasn't the quietest engine when pushed hard, it excelled in passing power and off-the-line bursts.

All models of the Sorento came with the option of all-wheel-drive, enhancing their capability, especially for those who opted for the X-Line or X-Pro trims, which added rugged styling and increased ground clearance. The X-Pro, in particular, handled light off-roading and harsh terrains exceptionally well, thanks to its 17-inch rims with all-terrain tires and improved engine cooling, which boosted its towing capacity to 4,500 pounds.

Stepping inside the 2024 MINI Countryman provided an intimate yet adequately spacious experience. The interior could comfortably seat four adults with enough room for their luggage on a week-long road trip. Our tested Iconic trim featured luxuries like dual-zone automatic climate control, premium leather upholstery, and power-adjustable heated front seats. The steering wheel offered a thick, heated rim, enhancing the driving experience.

Overall, the Countryman offered seatbelts for five, but realistically, four passengers were the maximum for comfort. Rear legroom and footroom were generous, but accommodating a fifth passenger was a tight squeeze. Visibility was excellent thanks to the SUV’s compact dimensions and well-placed windows, but a lack of advanced features like a surround-view camera and rear cross-traffic alert detracted from its practicality.

The Countryman’s cargo capacity was limited for its class. With the rear seats up, it provided 17.6 cubic feet of space, which was just enough for two full-size suitcases. Folding the rear seats down expanded the cargo space to 47.6 cubic feet, although the plug-in hybrid model had slightly less room due to its battery placement.

In contrast, the 2024 Kia Sorento excelled in offering space and comfort, especially considering its three-row configuration. The first and second rows provided 41.4 and 41.7 inches of legroom, respectively, offering more room than many two-row competitors like the Chevy Blazer and Honda Passport. Higher trims came with acoustic glass, enhancing cabin quietness, and the availability of heated and ventilated front seats added a touch of luxury.

However, the third row was cramped, with just 29.6 inches of legroom, which was still better than comparably sized competitors like the Toyota Highlander and significantly better than smaller rivals like the Mitsubishi Outlander. The Sorento's third row was best suited for children or quick adult trips.

Cargo space was another area where the Sorento stood out. With the third row in use, it provided 12.6 cubic feet of space, which was enough for a grocery run. Folding down the third row expanded the cargo space to between 38.5 and 45 cubic feet, depending on the trim. With both the second and third rows folded, the Sorento offered up to 72.1 cubic feet, making it one of the more versatile options in its class.

The 2024 MINI Countryman was not a technological marvel but offered practical and functional features. The digital instrumentation was compactly placed on the steering column, and our Iconic trim test model featured a head-up display that added some convenience. The 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, housed within a classic round Mini frame, used a version of BMW's iDrive software, which provided multiple interaction methods: touchscreen, physical controls, steering wheel buttons, a center console knob, and voice recognition. Though the system lacked Android Auto, it did support Apple CarPlay and boasted a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

Conversely, the 2024 Kia Sorento embraced modern technology with a single-pane twin-screen setup that combined its gauge cluster with the infotainment display. All models had a 12.3-inch touchscreen running Kia's new "Connected Car Navigation Cockpit" (CCnC) software, which prioritized frequently used features. Unlike prior iterations, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were now standard, and the system supported over-the-air updates.

Kia provided ample USB-C outlets in all three rows and an additional auxiliary jack. Higher trims featured a 12-speaker Bose surround sound system and Digital Key 2.0 technology, allowing specific smartphones or NFC cards to lock, unlock, and drive the vehicle without a key. Voice commands remained a weak spot, but overall, the Sorento presented a more modern and integrated technological experience.

Safety was one domain where the 2024 MINI Countryman lagged behind. Its Active Driving Assistant included basic features such as forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Countryman also had rear parking sensors and an emergency SOS call button. However, more advanced safety features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-centering assist were notably absent.

On the safety front, the Countryman had an incomplete crash-test rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The tests performed so far granted it a "Good" rating for crashworthiness, but additional evaluations were pending.

In contrast, the 2024 Kia Sorento shined brightly with its comprehensive Drivewise suite of active safety features. Standard safety equipment included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, intersection assistance, lane-following and lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert with emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Additionally, advanced features like navigation-based adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist were available, enhancing semi-autonomous driving capabilities.

The IIHS had only partially tested the Sorento, awarding it "Good" ratings in several categories. The LATCH system for child seats earned an "Acceptable" rating due to the lower anchors being too deep in the seat. However, the 2021-2023 models had previously received a four-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), suggesting strong safety credentials.