Mercedes-Benz GLE vs MINI Countryman

The 2024 MINI Countryman embraced classic Mini styling cues. Its erect wraparound windshield, floating roof that resembled a bimini top, and Union Jack tail lights loudly and proudly showcased its British heritage. Buyers enjoyed numerous paint, roof, and mirror cap options as well as various wheel designs. Interestingly, dark tinted rear privacy glass was an optional feature rather than standard equipment. The Countryman lineup included the Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SE, and John Cooper Works models. Each designation specified the drivetrain, with the Cooper featuring an underpowered turbocharged three-cylinder engine. The Cooper S and John Cooper Works had a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with different states of tune, while the Cooper SE was a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle boasting an 18-mile all-electric range before switching to gas-electric hybrid mode and achieving 29 mpg in combined driving. Trim packages included Classic, Signature, and Iconic, with availability depending on the model chosen. Special edition versions with unique paint, wheel, interior, and equipment combinations were frequently released. The test car was a Cooper S with the Iconic trim package, which included dark-tinted privacy glass, an adaptive damping suspension, and 19-inch wheels fitted with summer performance tires. The MSRP was $41,945, including a $995 destination charge. Iconic trim added premium leather, power-adjustable front seats, a head-up display, wireless smartphone charging, a semi-autonomous parking system, a power tailgate, and more customization options for the SUV’s look and feel. Standard features included digital instrumentation, an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a dual-panel moonroof that allowed plenty of natural light into the cabin. In contrast, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class exhibited subtle aesthetic changes. Sharper headlights and taillights, new black fender flares over the wheel arches, and a grille with chrome inserts improved its appearance. The optional AMG Line package on the test vehicle brought a sporty touch to the exterior along with standard 19-inch wheels that could be upgraded to 21-inch. The GLE 450e, the test model, highlighted many luxurious features within its cabin. Although not as futuristic as the newer all-electric EQ models, it still oozed Mercedes-Benz charm with ample leather and soft-touch surfaces. The available open-pore walnut trim was gorgeous, if somewhat questionable when paired with Bahia Brown seats. The GLE coupe offered a sportier alternative but reduced interior space.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered various driving experiences depending on the model. The underperforming Cooper and the limited electric range of the Cooper SE left the Cooper S and John Cooper Works as the more appealing choices. The John Cooper Works, with its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, produced 301 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission driving all four wheels, it could accelerate to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds. The Cooper S, a more practical choice for most, also featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 189 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque. This model offered a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (DCT) transmission with front-wheel-drive or an eight-speed sport automatic with optional all-wheel-drive (ALL4). The Cooper S was quick, reaching 60 mph in 7.2 seconds (7.1 seconds with ALL4). The Cooper S excelled during daily commutes, errand running, and school shuttles, with peak torque arriving at just 1,350 rpm. However, it wasn’t the best choice for serious off-roading or engaging canyon carving. Fuel economy for the ALL4 model was rated at 28 mpg in combined driving, with real-world testing averaging 25.4 mpg on mountainous terrain. In comparison, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class offered multiple powertrain options, including the entry-level GLE 350 with 255 hp, the mid-line GLE 450 with 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, and the top-tier 4.0-liter V8 in the GLE 580. All three variants featured a nine-speed automatic transmission. The 450e, the test model, utilized a new plug-in hybrid powertrain with a 2.0-liter turbo inline four-cylinder engine, delivering a combined output of 381 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. Despite its extra weight due to the 23.3-kWh battery, the 450e provided strong performance, albeit a tad slower to 60 mph than the GLE 450. It defaulted to all-electric mode on startup with a surprising 55 miles of electric range after charging. Switching between the gas engine and electric motor was smooth and seamless. Quick charging times and minimal sportiness were areas where it shined less.

The 2024 MINI Countryman comfortably seated four adults with adequate leg and foot room, but squeezing in a fifth person was nearly impossible unless occupants were children. The Iconic trim package added features like dual-zone automatic climate control, premium leather upholstery, power-adjustable heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Mini’s tidy dimensions enabled easy parking, but the absence of a surround-view camera was notable. Cargo capacity was modest, with 17.6 cubic feet of luggage space behind the rear seats, expandable to 47.6 cubic feet by folding the back seats. The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class favored interior luxuries over driving dynamics. Heated, ventilated, and massage-capable front seats, heated and cooled cup holders, customizable ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and soft-close doors enhanced comfort. Although the sun visors did not extend, the overall cabin experience was luxurious and quiet. Towing capacity was an impressive 7,700 pounds with Trailer Maneuvering Assist technology. Cargo capacity in the GLE-Class was generous, with 31.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats expanding to 74.9 cubic feet when the second row was folded down.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered useful but modest technology features. It had a small digital instrumentation display and a head-up display (HUD) mounted just above it. The infotainment system was encased within a round housing on the dashboard, an 8.8-inch touchscreen based on BMW’s iDrive technology, and had five interaction methods: touchscreen, volume and tuning controls, steering wheel controls, a control knob with buttons on the center console, and a voice-recognition system. The system performed well despite the lack of Android Auto, limiting users to Apple CarPlay. Iconic trim added a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, delivering excellent sound quality. The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class featured a 12.3-inch digital customizable gauge cluster and the latest MBUX infotainment system. While it lacked the gigantic touchscreen found in other Mercedes models, it still boasted a smaller 12.3-inch screen with an easy-to-navigate menu structure. Users could control MBUX via the touchscreen, touchpad on the center console, steering wheel touchpads, or voice commands with “Hey, Mercedes.” The available augmented reality navigation system provided helpful overlays, and the off-road page detailed information like altitude and tire pressure. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto experienced connectivity issues.

The 2024 MINI Countryman showed its age in terms of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). Standard features included Active Driving Assistant with forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, rear parking sensors, and an emergency SOS button. Adaptive cruise control was optional in Signature and Iconic trims. However, it lacked other crucial safety technologies such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and a surround-view camera system. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Countryman highly in crashworthiness evaluations, earning the highest rating of Good. The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class boasted numerous advanced driver aids, albeit at an extra cost. Standard blind-spot monitoring could be upgraded to active blind-spot monitoring with the Driver Assistance Package Plus, which also provided lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with steering assist, and lane-change assist. Adaptive cruise control performed exceptionally well. Though the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) did not provide an overall rating, the GLE received five stars for side crashes and four stars for rollovers. The IIHS declared it earned the top score of “Good” in various safety evaluations, including crashworthiness and crash avoidance.