2024 MINI Countryman vs 2024 Mazda CX-50

The 2024 MINI Countryman stood out with its classic and quirky Mini aesthetics. Not taking itself too seriously, it flaunted traditional Mini styling cues, such as an upright wraparound windshield, a floating roof resembling a bimini top, and Union Jack tail lights, which proudly celebrated its British roots. There was a plethora of customization options available for buyers, from various paint treatments to multiple wheel design choices. However, it was peculiar that dark tinted rear privacy glass wasn't standard but rather an optional feature.

The Countryman was available in several variants named Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SE, and John Cooper Works (JCW), which referred to different drivetrains. The Cooper featured a rather underwhelming turbocharged three-cylinder engine, while the Cooper S and JCW variants came with more powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engines, the latter being the sportiest. The Cooper SE was the eco-friendly plug-in hybrid offering limited electric-only range and respectable fuel economy.

Choosing a Countryman also meant selecting a trim package: Classic, Signature, or Iconic. Special editions often graced the lineup with unique combinations of paint, wheels, and interior features. Our test model, a Cooper S with the Iconic trim, rolled on 19-inch wheels with summer performance tires and had an adaptive damping suspension. Packed with premium features like leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, a head-up display, wireless smartphone charging, a parking assistance system, and a power tailgate, the MSRP came to $41,945, including the destination charge.

Iconic trim added elegance and functionality, including a plush leather interior, advanced digital instrumentation, and an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that embraced Mini's signature style. A dual-panel moonroof bathed the cabin in natural light, enhancing the distinct and charming ambience of the vehicle. Ultimately, the 2024 MINI Countryman offered a visually and physically unique experience, a refreshing break from the generic design of many small SUVs.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 contrasted with its sibling, the CX-5, by presenting a more rugged demeanor. Significant dimensional changes made the CX-50 appear broader and sturdier, with it being 1.4 inches lower, 3 inches wider, and 5.7 inches longer than the CX-5, and a wheelbase stretch of 4.6 inches. These changes accentuated its robust proportions, complemented by square wheel arches and faux air vents. As a newer design introduced in 2023, the CX-50 appeared fresher compared to the aging CX-5.

For 2024, eight trim levels ranged from the 2.5 S Select to the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus. Lower trims featured 17-inch wheels, while higher trims sported 20-inch wheels. Our test model, a 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition, took the active-lifestyle appeal up a notch with all-terrain tires on 18-inch wheels, a black hood graphic, and prominent rocker-panel trim. Optional Apex Package further boosted its rugged persona with a roof platform and splash guards. However, it lacked suspension tweaks and additional drive modes for off-road prowess compared to rivals.

The Meridian Edition's aesthetics included earthy tones such as Polymetal Gray Metallic and Zircon Sand Metallic, matched with Terracotta leather upholstery. Its interior was tastefully designed with high-quality materials reminiscent of luxury brands, enhanced by minimal piano black plastic, ensuring better longevity. Despite Mazda's aspirations for a premium feel, the CX-50 still felt rooted in its mainstream origins, evident in standard half-leatherette seats and manually-adjustable front seats at base levels.

Performance-wise, the 2024 MINI Countryman varied considerably across its models. The base Cooper’s turbocharged three-cylinder engine left much to be desired, and the Cooper SE’s hybrid setup offered limited electric range and minimal fuel efficiency improvement. For speed enthusiasts, the John Cooper Works (JCW) model was the ultimate choice, with a formidable turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 301 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission. Mini claimed it could sprint to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds.

The Cooper S represented a balanced option, featuring a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 189 horsepower and 206 lb-ft of torque. It came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission for FWD models, while the AWD versions shared the JCW’s eight-speed sport automatic. Mini boasted a 0-60 mph time of 7.2 seconds for the Cooper S, reducing to 7.1 seconds with ALL4 AWD. The peak torque at 1,350 rpm contributed to its zippy and agile daily driving demeanor.

Despite not being an off-road champion, the Countryman excelled in urban tasks. It shone brightest during commutes, errands, and school runs, and though our Cooper S test car was equipped with summer tires and adaptive suspension, it was not a canyon carver. Its EPA-rated fuel economy was 28 mpg combined, but real-world testing yielded 25.4 mpg, suggesting a switch to Green mode could yield better results.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 came with a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, featuring a turbocharged variant in higher trims. The base naturally-aspirated engine generated 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, whereas the turbo version produced 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on 93-octane fuel and 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft on 87-octane.

A six-speed automatic transmission mated to an AWD system was standard across all models, supported by Normal, Sport, and Off-road driving modes, with an additional Towing mode in turbo models. Turbo variants also enhanced the base towing capacity from 2,000 pounds to 3,500 pounds.

The CX-50 shared powertrains with the CX-5 but offered distinct driving experiences. The CX-50 leaned towards mainstream driving dynamics, making it an adequate daily driver without igniting the driving passion seen in the CX-5. Our Meridian Edition’s all-terrain tires provided limited grip and generated considerable noise, reminiscent of rivals with similar setups. The roof platform added wind noise, but otherwise, the CX-50 remained composed, though skipping these features might suit many buyers better.

Inside the 2024 MINI Countryman, there was enough space for four adults and their luggage for a week-long trip. The Iconic trim in our test vehicle added comfort and convenience features like dual-zone automatic climate control, premium leather seats, power-adjustable heated front seats, and a thick-rimmed heated steering wheel.

Seating in the Countryman required an upright posture, with small yet supportive seats. Though it had five seatbelts, accommodating five adults would be tight; four passengers were ideal, benefiting from ample legroom and foot-space. Visibility from the driver’s seat was excellent, and parking was hassle-free due to its compact dimensions. However, the absence of a surround-view camera and rear cross-traffic alert was felt, though it did have parking sensors, a reversing camera, and optional automated parking assistance.

Interior storage was decent for its size, but the center console’s smartphone charging pad obstructed access to the storage tray beneath it. With the rear seats up, the Countryman offered 17.6 cubic feet of cargo space, enough for two full-size suitcases if laid flat. The folding back seat’s 40/20/40 split allowed for longer items to be carried, expanding the cargo area to 47.6 cubic feet. The hybrid model had slightly reduced cargo space due to its battery pack.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 offered comparable passenger space to its CX-5 sibling, with slightly less headroom but slightly more legroom in both rows. It trailed in headroom behind competitors like the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, and Subaru Forester but nearly matched them in legroom, offering two inches more rear-seat legroom than the Toyota RAV4.

Cargo capacity stood at 31.4 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 56.3 cubic feet with them folded down. Although these figures were slightly behind the CX-5, the CX-50 better utilized space with the second row up. Compared to rivals, the Forester had less cargo space with the seats up, while others like the CR-V and RAV4 largely outpaced it.

The cargo area benefited from an optional power liftgate but lacked features to accommodate its rugged look, making it less suitable for dirty or bulky items. The roof platform was also set high, making access challenging for shorter individuals. Interior layout and storage were sensible unless one’s lifestyle required ruggedness, in which case more durable materials would have been appreciated. Nevertheless, ample space and Mazda's ergonomic design, including a substantial shifter and rotary infotainment controller, made the interior practical for many users.

The 2024 MINI Countryman was modest in its technological offerings but made the available features count. Our test model included a digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, which projected essential information on a small screen just above the steering column. This HUD, although mounted close to the digital display, proved useful.

A centerpiece of classic Mini design, the dashboard housed an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system within a round frame. Utilized from BMW’s iDrive, the system allowed five interaction methods: touchscreen, volume and tuning controls below the screen, steering wheel controls, a center console knob, and voice-recognition capabilities. Surprisingly, this multifaceted approach was not confusing, as users could seamlessly navigate the interface. Voice commands were precise, though the infotainment system lacked Android Auto, supporting only Apple CarPlay.

With the Iconic trim, the vehicle came equipped with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, delivering high-quality audio, a significant upgrade over the standard six-speaker setup.

Technology in the 2024 Mazda CX-50 centered around a 10.25-inch infotainment screen operated via a rotary controller and buttons on the center console rather than touch. This setup included standard features like wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, with additional perks like wireless phone charging, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system in higher trims.

Mazda’s choice to forgo a touchscreen in favor of a controller aimed to reduce driver distraction, providing physical feedback that was useful for those accustomed to more traditional controls. However, the infotainment system seemed outdated, with simplistic graphics and basic functionality, catering more to buyers who preferred simplicity over excessive tech. Despite its dated feel, it served well for basic needs, and users engrossed in Apple CarPlay or Android Auto might find the native system’s limitations irrelevant.

While the 2024 MINI Countryman lagged in technological sophistication, its lack of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) underscored its age. The standard Active Driving Assistant included essential features like forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additionally, it featured rear parking sensors and an emergency SOS call button. Optional adaptive cruise control was available in higher trims.

However, the Countryman did not offer more modern safety features such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping and centering assist, or a surround-view camera. Our test model lacked adaptive cruise control, leaving lane-departure warning as the primary ADAS feature, which provided subtle steering wheel vibrations.

Regarding crash testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had conducted limited tests, where the Countryman earned a top rating of Good in the evaluations performed.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 garnered acclaim, being named a 2023 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, reflecting well in all crash tests with the highest “Good” scores. Its optional headlights and front-crash prevention tech secured high scores as well, albeit with a lower “Basic” rating in the nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian test and an “Average” rating for standard headlights.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had partially tested it, granting a five-star frontal crash rating and a four-star rollover rating, but broader data were lacking at the time.

Mazda equipped the CX-50 with comprehensive standard driver-assist features, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, driver attention monitoring, emergency lane-keeping, and road-keep assist. Optional features included rear automatic braking, traffic-jam assist, and a 360-degree camera, ensuring extensive safety provisions.