MINI Countryman vs Kia Seltos

The 2024 Kia Seltos, as a mid-cycle refresh, underwent subtle yet effective changes improving its appearance without breaking the bank. The vehicle sported updated headlight and grille designs, and a new light strip connecting its smaller taillight assemblies. These tweaks combined to endow the Seltos with a refreshed, sharp look. Our test model gleamed in the striking new "Pluton Blue" paint color, augmenting its visual appeal.

Inside, the Seltos introduced new interior color options including “Gentle Brown” and “Midnight Green,” though our test vehicle featured a traditional black interior. The most transformative interior change was the expansive digital panel occupying two-thirds of the dashboard, integrating a fully digital instrument cluster alongside a larger touchscreen infotainment system.

Available in five trims—LX, S, EX, X-Line, and SX—each offering its unique set of features, the Seltos catered to a broad audience. From standard amenities in the LX like 17-inch alloy wheels and an 8-inch touchscreen to the luxurious offerings of the SX such as LED headlights, a Bose premium stereo system, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, there was something for everyone.

In contrast, the 2024 MINI Countryman embraced its whimsical heritage with classic Mini styling cues. An upright windshield design, a floating roof reminiscent of a bimini top, and prominent Union Jack tail lights added to its quirky charm. The Countryman’s customization potential was vast, offering various paint schemes, roof designs, and wheel choices. However, it was odd that dark tinted rear privacy glass remained an optional extra.

Our test Countryman, tailored in the upscale Cooper S Iconic trim, featured premium leather upholstery, power-adjustable heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Despite the car's small footprint, it provided ample room for four adults. The seating was supportive yet cramped for a fifth passenger, making it more suitable for smaller groups. Its compact dimensions and superb outward visibility made it effortless to maneuver and park, although it lacked advanced visibility aids like a surround-view camera.

The 2024 Kia Seltos offered a choice between two powertrains. The base engine was a 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). In contrast, the X-Line and SX trims boasted a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering a boosted 195 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, coupled with a new eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine shined in acceleration, particularly in the 40-to-60 mph range, and made highway merging a breeze.

The Seltos handled various road conditions with agility and comfort, exhibiting minimal body roll through curves and absorbing bumps effectively. The steering was precise, and the brakes, though touchy at first, provided reliable stopping power.

The 2024 MINI Countryman presented distinct performance across its lineup. The underpowered Cooper models, including the Cooper SE plug-in hybrid, fell short on excitement. The Cooper S and the high-performance John Cooper Works (JCW) model were the stars. The JCW's turbocharged 2.0-liter engine whipped up an exhilarating 301 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque, rocketing from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds.

The Cooper S, more suited for everyday driving, utilized the same engine but produced 189 horsepower and 206 lb-ft of torque. This version still felt zippy and agile, completing the 0 to 60 mph sprint in a respectable 7.2 seconds. The car excelled in city driving and light canyon carving, though it wasn't designed for off-road adventures.

Despite the performance tires and adaptive damping suspension in our test Countryman, the ride was more about the style and less about substance in tight, twisty drives. Fuel efficiency was notable with an EPA rating of 28 mpg combined, though our real-world testing averaged a lower 25.4 mpg.

The 2024 Kia Seltos impressed with its cargo capacity. It offered 62.8 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded and 26.6 cubic feet with them in place. This was ample room for a subcompact SUV, further enhanced in the SX trim with a hands-free power liftgate. The seating position was upright, providing excellent visibility and generous headroom for all occupants. The interior storage proved practical with decent-sized door cupholders and cubbies, although the central console tray was somewhat limited in size.

The 2024 MINI Countryman, while slightly more cramped, provided adequately for its class. Seating four adults comfortably, it struggled with cargo space, offering only 17.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 47.6 cubic feet with them folded. The Countryman’s interior storage was sensible but not extensive, with the smartphone charging pad under the center armrest obstructing access to the storage tray. Despite these limitations, the seats were supportive, and the driving position was comfortable, promoting good visibility.

The 2024 Kia Seltos incorporated a robust technology suite. The base model started with an 8-inch touch screen and a 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster. Higher trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument panel and touchscreen. Retaining physical controls for volume and climate settings, the Seltos balanced modern digital interfaces with user-friendly manual controls. The infotainment system was responsive and included features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across all trims. The SX trim went a step further with a Bose premium stereo system and Digital Key 2 Touch.

The 2024 MINI Countryman wasn't the tech leader but offered functional features. It housed an 8.8-inch touchscreen within its iconic circular housing, utilizing a version of BMW’s iDrive technology that allowed interaction through the touchscreen, steering wheel, control knob, hard buttons, or voice commands. This multi-faceted approach was intuitive after an initial learning curve. However, it lacked Android Auto connectivity, incorporating only Apple CarPlay. The Iconic trim of our test model featured a premium 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, which greatly enhanced the audio experience.

The 2024 Kia Seltos packed a comprehensive suite of safety features. On the base LX trim, it included forward collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, lane-follow assist, automatic high beams, and driver attention warning. Higher trims like the S added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The SX trim offered advanced features like smart cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and highway driving assist, delivering a well-rounded safety package.

The 2024 MINI Countryman lagged behind in advanced safety technology. Standard features included Active Driving Assistant with forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. Rear parking sensors and an emergency SOS button were also included. However, it lacked essential features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera, reflecting its older design ethos.