2025 Acura MDX 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 Iconic trim added premium features such as leather upholstery, a head-up display, and a semi-autonomous parking system, enhancing the overall appeal of this small SUV.

In contrast, the 2025 Acura MDX underwent subtle exterior updates, including a new grille and revised lighting, which enhanced its sporty appearance. The interior saw more significant changes, with the introduction of a new touchscreen infotainment system and improved seating options. The MDX Advance and A-Spec Advance trims featured luxurious 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. Acura also focused on reducing cabin noise with added sound insulation, making the MDX a comfortable and quiet ride. The MDX's design and features catered to those seeking a blend of luxury and performance in a midsize SUV.

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 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission. It accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds, making it the choice for speed enthusiasts. The Cooper S model, with its 189 hp 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 urban environments but was less suited for off-road adventures.

The 2025 Acura MDX offered a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine with 290 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The MDX's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system enhanced its driving dynamics, providing confidence on twisty roads. While not the fastest SUV, the MDX delivered a smooth and comfortable ride, with driving modes to suit various conditions. The A-Spec Advance trim achieved 21 mpg in combined driving, though testing showed an average of 18.4 mpg. The MDX's performance-oriented design made it a capable and enjoyable vehicle for daily driving and road trips.

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 seats, and a heated steering wheel. While the Countryman offered good visibility and easy parking, its cargo space was limited, with 17.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 47.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The interior storage was adequate, though the smartphone charging pad obstructed access to the tray beneath it.

The 2025 Acura MDX provided a more spacious interior, with 16-way power-adjustable front seats offering exceptional comfort. The second row could be configured as a bench or individual seats, with a pass-through to the third row. While the third row was less comfortable for adults, it was suitable for children. The MDX offered 16.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 71.4 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The new center console added convenient storage options, enhancing the MDX's practicality.

The 2024 MINI Countryman featured an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with multiple interaction methods, including a control knob and voice recognition. While it lacked Android Auto, it offered Apple CarPlay and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system in the Iconic trim. The head-up display provided useful information, though it was mounted close to the digital instrumentation.

The 2025 Acura MDX introduced a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google Built-in and Alexa Built-in, eliminating the previous touchpad interface. The system offered a natural and intuitive user experience, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The MDX featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 10.5-inch head-up display, providing comprehensive information. The Bang & Olufsen sound system, available in higher trims, delivered impressive audio quality, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered basic safety features, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. It lacked advanced systems like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Countryman as Good in crashworthiness evaluations.

The 2025 Acura MDX featured the AcuraWatch suite of driver assistance features, including forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The new AcuraWatch 360, available on the Type S Advance, added advanced features like front cross-traffic alert and evasive steering warning. The MDX received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2024 model, with no changes expected for 2025.