MINI Countryman vs Dodge Hornet

The 2024 MINI Countryman, as with all Mini models, carried forward its distinctive styling that never took itself too seriously. This SUV's classic Mini cues like its erect wraparound windshield, floating roof looking like a bimini top, and Union Jack tail lights showcased its British heritage loud and proud. Consumers could personalize their Countryman with various paint options for the body, roof, and mirror caps, along with multiple wheel designs. However, it was peculiar that dark-tinted rear privacy glass stood out as an optional feature instead of being standard. The 2024 MINI Countryman was available in various models: Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SE, and John Cooper Works, each reflecting a specific drivetrain. The base Cooper models featured a rather underpowered turbocharged three-cylinder engine. Meanwhile, the Cooper S and John Cooper Works variants had a more spirited turbocharged four-cylinder engine with different outputs. The Cooper SE, on the other hand, was a plug-in hybrid offering 18 miles of pure electric driving range before switching to hybrid mode, delivering 29 mpg combined. Upon choosing a model, consumers had to pick from trim packages, including Classic, Signature, and Iconic, with availability hinging on the specific Countryman version. Mini also frequently introduced special editions with unique combinations of paint, wheels, interior, and equipment. Our test model was a Cooper S with the Iconic trim package. It featured dark-tinted privacy glass, an adaptive damping suspension, and 19-inch wheels with summer performance tires. The MSRP was $41,945, including a $995 destination charge. The Iconic trim leveled up the Countryman with premium leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, a head-up display, wireless smartphone charging, a semi-autonomous parking system, a power tailgate, and various ways to customize the SUV’s appearance. Despite its modern touches, the Countryman retained classic Mini elements like digital instrumentation, an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and quirky design aspects in the layout and switchgear. A dual-panel moonroof allowed ample natural light into the cabin. In contrast, the 2024 Dodge Hornet showcased a more aggressive and muscular demeanor, even though it didn't sport the traditional V8 muscle car profile like the Charger or Challenger. The Hornet had a hefty front end with integrated heat extractors on the hood, lending it a tough and assertive look. Its grille, with a large bottom opening, smaller "mail slot" in the middle, and a new centrally located Rhombi logo, asserted its Dodge heritage. The tail lamp of the Hornet stretched across the vehicle's rear, with an illuminated Rhombi logo at its center and oversized tailpipes at the corners, subtly hinting at the Hornet's performance capability. Dodge offered the Hornet in four trims: GT, GT Plus, R/T, and R/T Plus. The GT trims had a regular gas engine, whereas the more expensive R/T trims featured a sophisticated plug-in hybrid powertrain. Our test unit was an R/T Plus with the Blacktop Package ($1,600), adding black wheels, mirror caps, and darker badging and window trim. Sharing its platform with the Alfa Romeo Tonale, the Hornet echoed some of its Italian cousin's features, though with a blunt front end distinctively Dodge. Inside, the Italian influence provided a modern feel often absent in other Dodge models. Our test vehicle, equipped with a $2,595 Track Pack, boasted Alcantara-upholstered seats with the Dodge Rhombi logo. The center stack was driver-focused, and we appreciated the tactile physical switches for climate control and the widescreen infotainment display. The Hornet’s steering wheel and seating setup mirrored Dodge’s effort to blend practicality with a sporty touch. However, some of its features, like the buttons on the steering wheel, seemed a bit outdated, likely borrowed from older models.

For the 2024 MINI Countryman, the performance spectrum mainly depended on the chosen variant. The base Cooper felt weak and slow, while the Cooper SE, with its plug-in hybrid setup, offered mediocre electric range and only slight fuel efficiency improvement. The better options were the Cooper S and the John Cooper Works (JCW) for those craving speed and fun. The John Cooper Works model was a performance powerhouse with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering an exhilarating 301 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, combined with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, allowed the JCW to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds—an impressive feat for a small SUV. Meanwhile, the Mini Cooper S also employed a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, generating 189 horsepower and 206 lb-ft of torque. It came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission for front-wheel-drive models or an eight-speed sport automatic for the optional ALL4 all-wheel-drive configuration. Mini claimed a 0 to 60 mph time of 7.2 seconds for the FWD Cooper S, reducing slightly to 7.1 seconds for the AWD version despite its heavier curb weight. Daily driving in the Cooper S was enjoyable, offering a zippy and athletic feel thanks to its peak torque arriving at just 1,350 rpm. However, despite its adaptive damping suspension and performance tires, the Countryman wasn’t an engaging canyon carver. It handled excellently on twisty roads but didn’t capture the thrill some might expect from a sporty SUV. Our test vehicle had an EPA fuel economy rating of 28 mpg combined, though we averaged only 25.4 mpg during rigorous testing in Mid and Sport modes. Opting for Green mode might have improved those figures slightly. The 2024 Dodge Hornet, in contrast, delivered robust performance through its varied powertrains. The GT variant featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine providing potent specs of 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. This setup, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, made the Hornet GT competitive in the compact crossover segment. However, it required premium fuel, adding to running costs. Our test model, the R/T, was a plug-in hybrid with a 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine complemented by a 15.5-kWh battery and two electric motors. This combination resulted in an impressive total output of 288 horsepower and a substantial 383 pound-feet of torque. The R/T used a six-speed automatic transmission and an electric AWD system, contributing to a robust driving experience despite the additional weight from the hybrid system. The Hornet R/T was distinctly spirited, especially in Sport mode. Its electric motors provided an instant torque boost, activated through the "Powershot" feature, offering an extra 30 horsepower for 15 seconds. This allowed the Hornet R/T to deliver thrilling performance despite its hybrid designation. In terms of suspension, the Hornet R/T was balanced, soaking up road imperfections while minimizing body roll during spirited cornering—all this while managing a 4,100-pound curb weight. The steering was heavy and precise, though we wished for a tighter turning radius. The R/T’s PHEV setup provided up to 30 miles of all-electric range on a full charge, making it suitable for short commutes. The charging efficiency was roughly 2 miles per kilowatt hour. EPA figures for the R/T hadn’t been released, but the Hornet GT promised 21 mpg city, 29 highway, and 24 combined.

Inside the 2024 MINI Countryman, the cabin design catered comfortably to four adults, allowing for just enough luggage for a week-long trip. Our Iconic trim test model featured dual-zone automatic climate control, premium leather upholstery, power-adjustable heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel with a thick rim, making for a cozy ride. Occupants in the Countryman sat upright on small but supportive seats. Though it had seatbelts for five, the rear seat was best suited for two adults due to space constraints. Rear passengers enjoyed ample legroom and foot space, but fitting three across the back seat was impractical unless they were children. Visibility in the Countryman was excellent, and its compact dimensions made urban maneuvering and parking a breeze. However, it lacked advanced parking aids like a surround-view camera or rear cross-traffic alert. Standard features included parking sensors, a reversing camera, and an optional automated parking assistance system. Storage space inside the Countryman was adequate for its size, but the smartphone charging pad under the center armrest blocked access to the tray beneath it. Lifting the armrest revealed a larger storage compartment. Cargo-wise, the Countryman offered 17.6 cubic feet of luggage space behind the back seat, enough to fit two full-size suitcases flat. Removing the cargo cover allowed more luggage stacking. With the 40/20/40-split folding back seat down, the Countryman expanded to 47.6 cubic feet of cargo space; however, the Cooper SE PHEV had slightly reduced measurements. The 2024 Dodge Hornet was more spacious in the front, with good headroom and visibility. However, the rear seats were less inviting, feeling claustrophobic due to the high beltline and black interior. Despite the rear seat offering approximately 38 inches each of legroom and headroom, it felt cramped. The R/T trim's PHEV battery reduced cargo capacity, eliminating the underfloor storage found in the GT trims. The R/T provided 22.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats compared to the GT’s 27 cubic feet. Maximum cargo space with the rear seats folded was 50.5 cubic feet in the R/T and 54.7 cubic feet in the GT. In comparison, the Hyundai Tucson PHEV offered a more substantial 32 cubic feet of space behind the second row, expanding to nearly 72 cubic feet with the seats folded.

In terms of technology, the 2024 MINI Countryman didn’t offer advanced features but included useful ones. It had a small digital instrumentation display on the steering column, reminiscent of classic Mini models, and an effective head-up display (HUD). The infotainment system centered around an 8.8-inch touchscreen set in a round housing, a nod to the analog speedometers of older Mini models. This system, borrowed from BMW’s iDrive technology, provided five interaction methods: touchscreen, physical volume and tuning controls, steering wheel controls, a console-mounted control knob, and voice recognition. Initially, this multi-faceted approach seemed complex, but it proved intuitive once acclimated. The voice recognition responded accurately to commands, but the lack of Android Auto was a notable omission, leaving only Apple CarPlay for smartphone integration. The Iconic trim included a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, which significantly enhanced the audio experience. In contrast, the 2024 Dodge Hornet boasted a best-in-class 12.3-inch digital driver display customizable across three zones. The centerpiece was a 10.25-inch widescreen infotainment system, which looked luxurious and operated on Dodge’s user-friendly UConnect 5 platform, an Android-based system. Although our test vehicle experienced occasional lag, it was likely a pre-production model issue. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard with UConnect 5, along with a premium Harman Kardon audio system and wireless phone charging. The system was extremely customizable, allowing users to set up personalized profiles with preferred widgets.

The 2024 MINI Countryman's safety features were somewhat outdated, lacking modern advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). Standard equipment included Active Driving Assistant, which provided 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 standard, with adaptive cruise control optional in higher trims. Unfortunately, other helpful features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and a surround-view camera were absent. The Mini’s lane-departure warning system offered a subtle steering wheel vibration, aligning with user preferences. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) partially tested the Countryman, awarding it the highest rating of Good in crashworthiness evaluations. Conversely, the 2024 Dodge Hornet came standard with an impressive array of ADAS, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control was also standard, with a more advanced version featuring traffic-sign recognition available for an additional cost. Our test vehicle included the $2,245 Tech Pack, which added level 2 autonomous driving functions, enhancing safety through intelligent speed assist and lane-tracing assistance. These systems worked effectively to keep the car centered and moving at safe speeds. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had yet rated the 2023 or 2024 Dodge Hornet, leaving its crash-test performance uncertain. However, the comprehensive suite of safety features was designed to mitigate crash risks.