2024 Volkswagen Tiguan 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 digital instrumentation. The test model, a Cooper S with Iconic trim, featured premium leather, power-adjustable front seats, and a dual-panel moonroof, enhancing the overall ambiance.

In contrast, the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a more sophisticated and premium appearance, especially in the SEL R-Line trim. Its design was sleek and modern, with standard LED headlights and taillights, and an illuminated grille light line on the top trim. The exterior was complemented by silver roof rails and a centered model name at the rear. While the base trim offered limited color options, higher trims allowed for more customization, albeit with some restrictions. The Tiguan's design was more understated compared to the Countryman's bold styling, appealing to those seeking a refined look.

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. It could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds. The Cooper S, with its 189 hp turbocharged engine, provided a zippy and athletic drive, reaching 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. However, the Cooper and Cooper SE models were less impressive in terms of power and efficiency. The Countryman excelled in daily driving scenarios but was not ideal for off-road adventures.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the Tiguan's power delivery was sometimes inconsistent, it offered a comfortable ride with good visibility and handling. The AWD option, available for an additional cost, slightly reduced fuel efficiency but provided better traction. The Tiguan's performance was adequate for most driving situations, though it lacked the sporty edge of the Countryman JCW.

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 heated front seats. The compact dimensions and excellent visibility made parking easy, though the lack of advanced parking technologies was a drawback. Cargo space was limited, with 17.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 47.6 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan offered more interior space, especially in the two-row configuration of the AWD models. It provided 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The three-row FWD models had less cargo space but still accommodated passengers comfortably. The Tiguan's interior was spacious, with ample head and legroom for front and second-row passengers, though the third row was tight.

The 2024 MINI Countryman featured a user-friendly infotainment system with an 8.8-inch touchscreen, utilizing BMW's iDrive technology. It offered multiple ways to interact, including a touchscreen, control knob, and voice recognition. However, it lacked Android Auto connectivity, providing only Apple CarPlay. The Iconic trim included a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, enhancing the audio experience.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan's infotainment system, accessed through an 8-inch touchscreen, supported both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Digital Cockpit System was standard, with the SEL R-Line offering a fully configurable 10.25-inch display. While the haptic touch slider buttons for climate control were easy to use, the physical volume knob was less intuitive. The top trim featured a nine-speaker Fender Premium Audio System, praised for its sound quality.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered basic safety features, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. However, it lacked more advanced systems like blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist. The IIHS rated it highly for crashworthiness, but the absence of comprehensive ADAS was notable.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan boasted a robust safety package, earning a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS. The standard IQ.DRIVE suite included adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, and semi-autonomous driving capabilities. Additional features like rear cross-traffic alert and automatic emergency braking further enhanced its safety credentials.