2024 Mazda CX-90 vs 2024 MINI Countryman

In the past, if you desired a luxury image, cars like BMW and Mercedes-Benz dominated the playing field. These brands were renowned for their top-tier luxury and performance, reinforcing their status with high price tags. However, Mazda emerged as a surprising contender in the luxury market. By 2024, the Japanese automaker surpassed Honda, Nissan, and Toyota in design and material quality, coming closer to the luxury arms of those companies: Acura, Infiniti, and Lexus.

Externally, the Mazda CX-90 carried forth the elegant design language seen in smaller models like the Mazda CX-30 and CX-5 but magnified its presence considerably. Spanning over 200 inches, the CX-90 was an imposing SUV. It featured a prominent grille, a wide-set front end, and large wheels varying from 19 to 21 inches. These elements, paired with tasteful chrome trim, gave the vehicle a sophisticated yet dominating aesthetic.

Inside, the CX-90 impressed even more. Mazda offered this model in various trims, with the top-tier versions boasting an interior that rivaled the best in luxury. For those willing to invest, brown suede upholstery lined the dash, wood inlays embellished the center console, and even the black plastic components were pleasantly matte. This dash of opulence allowed the CX-90 to hold its own against pricier competitors, making a BMW X5 appear lavish yet overpriced in comparison.

Mazda provided 11 different trim levels for the CX-90, spread across three powertrains. At the entry-level was the CX-90 Turbo, available in Select, Preferred, Preferred Plus, Premium, and Premium Plus trims. A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version was also available, sold in Preferred, Premium, and Premium Plus trims. The CX-90 Turbo S stood at the peak of the lineup, starting at over $50,000, and was available in a base trim along with Premium and Premium Plus versions.

Our review centered on the PHEV model alongside the top-tier Turbo S Premium Plus. Both models exuded a level of luxury and sophistication that could easily sway luxury car enthusiasts.

Conversely, the 2024 MINI Countryman maintained the playful and distinctive charm typical of all Mini vehicles. It sported classic Mini styling cues, such as an erect wraparound windshield, a floating roof that resembled a bimini top, and Union Jack tail lights proudly displayed its British heritage. Buyers could personalize their Countryman with various paint options for the body, roof, and mirror caps, alongside multiple wheel designs. Oddly, dark-tinted rear privacy glass remained an optional feature rather than standard equipment.

The 2024 Countryman lineup included the Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SE, and John Cooper Works models, each corresponding to a different drivetrain. Coopers housed a turbocharged three-cylinder engine, which felt underpowered. Meanwhile, the Cooper S and John Cooper Works models boasted turbocharged four-cylinder engines in varying states of tune. The Cooper SE was a plug-in hybrid offering 18 miles of electric range and achieved 29 mpg in combined driving once the electric-only mode was exhausted.

Upon choosing a model, buyers could select from Classic, Signature, and Iconic trims, depending on the model. Special-edition versions with unique combinations of paint, wheels, interiors, and equipment were also frequently rolled out by Mini. Our test vehicle, a Cooper S in Iconic trim, featured dark-tinted privacy glass, adaptive damping suspension, and 19-inch wheels wrapped in summer performance tires. Its manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) reached $41,945, including a $995 destination charge.

The Iconic trim provided a plethora of premium interior features: leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, a head-up display, wireless smartphone charging, a semi-autonomous parking system, and a power tailgate. Despite the technological modernity, the vehicle retained its classic Mini character in design and switchgear, and the dual-panel moonroof let ample natural light into the cabin. Overall, the 2024 Mini Countryman offered a distinctive and unique experience in a sea of otherwise bland small SUVs.

Mazda’s big news for 2024 revolved around introducing two new powertrains in the CX-90. This model was the first to sport a plug-in hybrid option, aiming for improved fuel economy and performance over its predecessor, the CX-9. Additionally, two versions of an all-new turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine were available. The base-spec turbo I6 delivered 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, though our test focused on the upgraded I6 found in the CX-90 Turbo S trims.

The enhanced I6 in the Turbo S produced a staggering 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque when fueled with premium gasoline. The engine’s exhaust note was a pleasant surprise, producing an incredible sound that distinguished it from any previous Mazda. Standard across all 2024 CX-90 models was the all-wheel-drive (AWD) system and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Three driving modes were available in the CX-90 Turbo S: Normal, Sport, and Off-Road. While we didn’t test its off-roading abilities, there was a clear difference between Normal and Sport modes. In Sport mode, the engine’s roar was pronounced, and the car felt highly dynamic, though the transmission occasionally demonstrated inconsistent behavior. The eight-speed often held gears deep into the rev range sporadically.

The PHEV model, powered by a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine paired with a 17.8-kWh battery and a 68-kW electric motor, produced a total output of 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. It offered a 26-mile all-electric driving range and an impressive 56 MPGe in combined driving. It mirrored the handling of the Turbo S but lacked the same noise and drama.

Notably, the CX-90 excelled through corners, tackling Northern California’s twisty roads with agility and composure reminiscent of a smaller vehicle. Its double-wishbone front suspension and transverse engine layout facilitated tight cornering without compromising wheel contact, making the large SUV feel nimble and light. Mazda’s commitment to designing driver-centric vehicles remained evident in the CX-90, imbued with the spirit of the MX-5 Miata, their iconic sports car.

Meanwhile, the 2024 MINI Countryman offered varying performance levels based on the chosen model. The base Cooper was underpowered and slow, while the Cooper SE provided limited electric range and modest fuel efficiency gains. The Cooper S and John Cooper Works (JCW) models stood out as the optimal choices.

The JCW, with its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivered 301 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed sport automatic transmission to all four wheels. Mini claimed the JCW could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds, making it a solid choice for those seeking speed along with fun.

The Cooper S model, on the other hand, featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 189 horsepower and 206 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive (FWD) models utilized a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (DCT), while the optional ALL4 all-wheel-drive versions came with an eight-speed sport automatic similar to the JCW. Mini claimed the Cooper S could achieve 0 to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds or 7.1 seconds with the ALL4.

While the Cooper S didn’t excel as an engaging canyon carver, it was zippy enough for daily driving and shuttling. The Countryman struggled with fuel efficiency, achieving an EPA-rated 28 mpg in combined driving but only managing 25.4 mpg in real-world testing on mountainous Southern California routes. Despite its limitations, the Cooper S was a solid performer for most practical purposes.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 offered a range of seating configurations, accommodating different needs. Base Turbo and PHEV models could seat eight passengers with a three-across second and third-row setup, while mid-level trims opted for captain’s chairs, typically seating seven. The Turbo S models, with their more luxurious configurations, offered seating for six with a two-seat third row in higher trims and a seven-seater configuration in their base trims.

Cargo space varied slightly based on seating configurations. Models with a two-seat third row boasted 75.2 cubic feet of total cargo space, while those with a three-person third-row offered 74.2 cubic feet. With all seats in place, two-seat third-row models provided 15.9 cubic feet behind the third row and 40.1 cubic feet behind the second. The three-seat trims offered 14.9 cubic feet behind the third row and 40.0 cubic feet behind the second. These figures represented an improvement from the CX-9 but still fell short compared to competitors like the Honda Pilot, Nissan Pathfinder, and Toyota Highlander.

Mazda excelled in providing numerous storage options within the CX-90. The center console was large, door pockets were spacious, and cupholders were well-sized. Middle-row captain’s chairs in the Turbo S Premium Plus test vehicle had their own center console with ample storage, cupholders, and a storage drawer.

In the 2024 MINI Countryman, the interior was designed for practicality with a dash of charm. It comfortably seated four adults with sufficient legroom and headroom. Our test model in Iconic trim came with premium interior features, including dual-zone automatic climate control, premium leather upholstery, and heated power-adjustable front seats. The Countryman emphasized straight-backed seating, providing comfortable and supportive small seats, partnered with a thick-rimmed heated steering wheel.

Despite having seatbelts for five, the Countryman truly accommodated four passengers with comfort. Rear legroom was sufficient for taller passengers, but squeezing a fifth occupant was impractical unless the rear passengers were children. Visibility from the driver’s seat was excellent, aided by the SUV’s compact dimensions, making parking a breeze. However, it lacked advanced driving aids like a surround-view camera and rear cross-traffic alert.

Cargo capacity in the Countryman was modest with 17.6 cubic feet behind the back seat, while folding the 40/20/40-split rear seats expanded the space to 47.6 cubic feet. The available space slightly decreased in the Cooper SE PHEV model. Despite its limited size, the Countryman managed interior storage quite well, though the smartphone charging pad placement under the center armrest was inconvenient.

Mazda’s philosophy on technology for the CX-90 focused on reducing distractions to enhance safety. The Mazda Connect infotainment system forewent a touchscreen interface, employing hard buttons on the center console and a rotary control knob instead. The idea was that physical controls are less distracting than touchscreens. However, this setup received mixed reviews as it required multiple steps for simple tasks, making it counterintuitive.

One of the highlights was the personalization software, using facial recognition to adjust the seats, mirrors, and HUD to the driver’s preferences. This feature, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in higher trims, somewhat alleviated the frustration of the non-touchscreen interface. The company acknowledged the benefit of touchscreens with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, providing a familiar and efficient interface for many users.

On the other hand, the 2024 MINI Countryman’s technology package was straightforward but effective. Its 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, utilizing BMW’s iDrive technology, offered five ways to interact: touchscreen, volume/tuning controls, steering wheel controls, a center-console control knob with buttons, and a voice-recognition system. The multitude of interaction methods worked seamlessly together, providing an intuitive user experience once acclimated.

Our test vehicle’s Iconic trim package included a head-up display (HUD) projecting information onto a small screen, slightly above the digital instrumentation display, enhancing visibility and usefulness. The sound system in the Iconic trim was a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium setup, delivering excellent audio quality. However, the infotainment system lacked Android Auto, offering only Apple CarPlay connectivity.

Mazda equipped every 2024 CX-90 with its i-Activsense suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). This package included essential features such as blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, smart brake support with front-crossing and turn-across-traffic identification, rear cross-traffic alert, and safe-exit warning. Lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist were also standard.

The top-spec Turbo S Premium Plus model came with cruising and traffic support, blending lane-centering with adaptive cruise control for a hands-on driver support system. While neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA had crash-tested the 2024 CX-90 at the time, its predecessors had received top safety ratings, setting high expectations for this new model.

The 2024 MINI Countryman, though charmingly retro, revealed its age in its safety technology offerings. It came standard with Active Driving Assistant, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Rear parking sensors and an emergency SOS call button were also included, with adaptive cruise control offered in higher trims.

Its safety suite lacked modern features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and a surround-view camera system. In crash testing, the Countryman received high marks from the IIHS, with ‘Good’ ratings in crashworthiness evaluations, albeit lacking a complete set of recent test results.