2024 Land Rover Defender vs 2024 MINI Countryman

The 2024 MINI Countryman exuded a playful charm, staying true to its British roots with classic styling cues like the Union Jack tail lights and a floating roof reminiscent of a bimini top. It offered a variety of customization options, from paint treatments to wheel designs, allowing owners to personalize their vehicle. Despite its compact size, the Countryman provided a unique driving experience with its retro interior design and jaunty exterior, making it stand out in a sea of small SUVs. The test model, a Cooper S with Iconic trim, featured premium leather, a head-up display, and a dual-panel moonroof, enhancing its appeal.

In contrast, the 2024 Land Rover Defender combined a rugged, boxy profile with modern touches like angular headlights, creating a visual link to other Land Rover models. Its interior was more utilitarian, with durable materials and practical features, aligning it closer to adventure-ready vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler. The Defender was available in three body styles, each offering different seating capacities and cargo space. Our test vehicle, the Defender 110 S, came with the County visual package, adding vintage graphics and white wheels, which emphasized its classic appeal. The interior was a blend of refinement and functionality, with features like a panoramic glass roof and a 10-speaker Meridian sound system.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered a range of powertrains, with the John Cooper Works (JCW) model standing out for its performance. The JCW 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. It could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, making it the choice for speed enthusiasts. The Cooper S model, with its 189 hp turbocharged engine, provided a balance of performance and efficiency, achieving 28 mpg in combined driving. However, during testing, it averaged 25.4 mpg. The Countryman excelled in daily driving scenarios but was less suited for off-road adventures.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a variety of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the P300, producing 296 hp. Our P400 test model featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The Defender also offered two supercharged V8 options, with the P525 variant producing 518 hp. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time active four-wheel drive. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities, with features like adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2 system. It could tow up to 7,716 pounds with the six-cylinder and V8 engines, making it a versatile choice for adventure seekers.

Inside the 2024 MINI Countryman, there was room for four adults and their luggage, making it suitable for road trips. The Iconic trim added dual-zone climate control, premium leather, and power-adjustable heated front seats. While the Countryman had seatbelts for five, it was more comfortable for four passengers. The SUV offered excellent outward visibility and easy parking, though it lacked some advanced parking technologies. Cargo space was limited, with 17.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 47.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a blend of luxury and practicality, with soft-touch materials and functional features like grip handles and rubberized floors. Seating capacity varied by model, with the Defender 110 offering an optional third row for children. The Defender 130 provided more space, accommodating up to eight passengers. Cargo capacity also varied, with the Defender 130 offering up to 76.1 cubic feet with seats folded. The Defender 110 provided 78.8 cubic feet in its two-row configuration. The Defender 90, a two-door model, offered up to 58.3 cubic feet of cargo space.

The 2024 MINI Countryman featured a small digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, providing essential information to the driver. The 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, housed in a round casing, used BMW's iDrive technology and offered multiple interaction methods, including touchscreen, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. However, it lacked Android Auto, offering only Apple CarPlay. The Iconic trim included a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, enhancing the audio experience.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen, which, while smaller than some competitors, suited its utilitarian design. The system included navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, along with Bluetooth and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo. The straightforward setup and home buttons made it easy to navigate, providing a balance of refinement and utility.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered basic safety features, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. It also had lane-departure warning and automatic high-beam headlights. However, it lacked advanced features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated it highly in crashworthiness evaluations.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender boasted an extensive list of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. It also offered blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree parking camera system. The lane-departure and lane-keeping assist systems were noted for being overly sensitive. As of this writing, the Defender had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA.