2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2024 MINI Countryman

When comparing the aesthetics of the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas and the 2024 MINI Countryman, the differences were stark and uniquely reflective of their respective brands.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received a significant styling refresh, augmenting its original design dating back to the CrossBlue concept of 2013. New lighting elements, including light-up VW logos similar to those on the ID.4 electric crossover, became the standout features. The front logo illuminated in white, while the rear logo glowed red. A front light bar connected the daytime running lights, creating continuity with the new LED headlights reminiscent of those on a Ford Expedition. These adjustments granted the Atlas a brand-new "face," one aimed at appealing more to American tastes rather than European subtleties. At the rear, the taillights integrated into a full-width light bar containing the illuminated logo.

All Atlas trim levels were treated to new wheel designs for 2024. The base SE model sported 18-inch alloy wheels, whereas higher trims like the SEL Premium R-Line boasted 21-inch wheels and sportier accents. Additionally, the 2024 lineup introduced the Atlas Peak Edition, giving the vehicle a more rugged outdoor appeal with black 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, unique front fascia, and model-specific colors like Avocado Green and Pure Gray. The interior underwent a makeover too, especially around the center console, which featured a floating infotainment touchscreen and a reduced-size shifter, creating additional storage space. The interior aimed for an upscale feel with more grain in the fake wood trim and new weaved plastic trim mimicking carbon fiber. Leatherette seats were standard, but higher trims offered leather with contrast stitching for a more premium look.

In contrast, the 2024 MINI Countryman maintained the playful and iconic Mini design language. This included classic styling cues with an erect wraparound windshield, a floating roof that resembled a bimini top, and Union Jack tail lights proudly announcing its British heritage. The Countryman allowed for extensive customization with various paint, roof, and mirror cap treatments, along with multiple wheel designs. However, oddly, rear privacy glass was optional rather than standard.

The Countryman’s lineup encompassed Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SE, and John Cooper Works (JCW) models, each denoting a different drivetrain. Our test vehicle was a Cooper S with the Iconic trim package, which included premium leather seats, power-adjustable heated front seats, a head-up display, wireless smartphone charging, a semi-autonomous parking system, and a power tailgate. It also featured a dual-panel moonroof, allowing ample natural light into the cabin. While the MINI's retro styling and jaunty design provided a unique experience, it was more whimsical and less serious compared to the Atlas's robust and American-focused exterior.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas streamlined its powertrain options, dropping the VR6 engine and offering only a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine. This new turbo-four achieved 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on regular fuel, which was a slight decrease in horsepower but an increase in torque compared to the VR6. This engine, another evolution of VW's EA888, linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission with standard FWD or optional AWD. The additional torque, peaking at lower RPMs, made the Atlas quicker, with a zero to 60 mph time of 8 seconds for FWD models and 8.3 seconds for AWD models. Despite these improvements, the Atlas remained focused on comfort and efficiency, not performance, delivering a smooth but somewhat noisy ride.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered more dynamic performance options, especially with the John Cooper Works (JCW) model. The JCW featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 301 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque, propelling the vehicle to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds. The Cooper S was more modest with its 2.0-liter turbo engine delivering 189 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. The Cooper S offered a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic for FWD and an eight-speed sport automatic for AWD. The Cooper S could sprint to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. Though the JCW provided exhilarating performance, even the Cooper S felt zippy and athletic for daily driving despite being less engaging off-road and in canyon carving compared to some other sporty small SUVs.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas aimed to enhance comfort and utility with more standard features across its trims. The base SE trim now included a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats, while higher trims added amenities like a power liftgate, leather upholstery, and heated second-row seats. The Atlas could seat seven with a second-row bench that split-folded, reclined, and slid, accommodating up to three child seats. Alternatively, captain's chairs were available on higher trims, reducing capacity to six. Headroom and legroom were generous across all rows, making the Atlas competitive in passenger comfort, especially with the best third-row legroom in its segment. Cargo capacity was also impressive, ranging from 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up to 96.6 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded.

Conversely, the 2024 MINI Countryman excelled in providing a cozy yet functional interior for four adults, with just enough luggage space for a week-long trip. The Iconic trim featured dual-zone climate control, premium leather seats, and a heated steering wheel. The upright seating position and compact dimensions made for excellent visibility and easy parking, though interior storage was limited. The Countryman's cargo space measured 17.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 47.6 cubic feet with the seats folded, making it less spacious than the Atlas but sufficient for its segment. The split-folding rear seat offered flexibility for longer items without compromising passenger space.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas saw significant tech upgrades. A standard 12-inch touchscreen and 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster offered modernized interfaces, complemented by wireless phone charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Six USB-C ports were standard, with up to eight available, and a head-up display was included in higher trims. The switch from Fender to Harman Kardon for the premium audio system provided a refined auditory experience with 12 speakers on higher trims. However, haptic touchpads for certain controls were less user-friendly than traditional buttons.

In comparison, the 2024 MINI Countryman packed useful, though not cutting-edge tech. A small digital instrumentation display and a head-up display projected crucial data, though it lacked the extensive digital interfaces of the Atlas. The central 8.8-inch touchscreen, housed in a retro circular design, utilized BMW's iDrive system, providing multiple interaction methods like touchscreen, control knobs, and voice commands—though it only supported Apple CarPlay, not Android Auto. The Iconic trim brought a premium 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, elevating the audio experience.

Safety features were robust in both vehicles but differed in scope.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with high scores in side crash tests. The IIHS rated the 2023 model highly, except for the updated moderate overlap front test. Standard safety tech included VW’s IQ.Drive package with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Additional features like park assist and a surround-view camera were available in higher trims. Emergency assist functions like automatic post-collision braking, crash response systems, and emergency assist were notable.

In contrast, the 2024 MINI Countryman offered fewer advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). Its standard Active Driving Assistant included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. Rear parking sensors and emergency SOS call were standard, while adaptive cruise control was optional in higher trims. The lack of features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera system marked it as less equipped compared to the Atlas. However, the Countryman did receive favorable ‘Good’ ratings in many IIHS crashworthiness evaluations.