MINI Countryman vs Volvo XC90

The 2024 MINI Countryman embodied the brand's playful spirit and signature style cues. Adorned with an erect, wraparound windshield and a distinctive floating roof reminiscent of a bimini top, this MINI declared its British affiliation proudly with Union Jack tail lights. Buyers could personalize their Countryman with a variety of paint treatments for the body, roof, and mirror caps, complemented by numerous wheel designs. Oddly, dark-tinted rear privacy glass was optional rather than standard. The lineup featured Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SE, and John Cooper Works, each signifying a different drivetrain. The base Coopers had a relatively underpowered turbocharged three-cylinder engine, while the Cooper S and John Cooper Works models offered a more potent turbocharged four-cylinder engine in varying power outputs. The Cooper SE variant, a plug-in hybrid, delivered 18 miles of electric range before reverting to a hybrid mode with a combined fuel efficiency of 29 mpg. Our test vehicle was a Cooper S with the Iconic trim package, dark-tinted privacy glass, an adaptive damping suspension, and 19-inch summer performance tires, coming to an MSRP of $41,945, including a $995 destination charge. The Iconic trim enriched the Countryman’s interior with premium leather, power-adjustable front seats, a head-up display, wireless smartphone charging, a semi-autonomous parking system, and a power tailgate. Despite the modern features, the design remained true to its MINI roots with digital instrumentation and an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. A dual-panel moonroof bathed the cabin in natural light, enhancing the overall experience. Volvo’s 2024 XC90 exuded a different type of elegance, painted in subdued and earthy tones that echoed luxury while emphasizing practicality and sustainability. Unlike the MINI, the XC90 switched up its performance levels with B5, B6, and Recharge T8 trims. The B5 featured a turbocharged mild-hybrid four-cylinder engine, the B6 added a supercharger, and the Recharge T8 combined a plug-in hybrid system offering 32 miles of electric-only range and robust efficiency. Our Recharge T8 test car boasted the Ultimate trim with seven-passenger seating. Included were massaging front seats, a premium headliner, an active air suspension, a high-end Bowers & Wilkins audio system, and a trailer hitch capable of towing 5,000 pounds. These luxuries amounted to an MSRP of $89,145, including destination charges. The XC90 stood out with a refined approach to textures and materials in its interior, offering a wool-blend or ventilated Nappa leather upholstery, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and natural wood trims. The vehicle was dressed with appealing wheel designs up to 21 inches and typically featured a Bright theme with chrome and polished metal highlights, steering clear of the pervasive blacked-out trend.

Performance across the Countryman lineup varied widely. The Cooper's turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine was notably underpowered, while the plug-in hybrid Cooper SE delivered just 18 miles of electric-only range and marginal fuel efficiency benefits. Instead, the Cooper S and John Cooper Works (JCW) were the stars. The JCW's turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produced 301 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission powering all four wheels, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds. For those who didn't require speed but desired more vigor, the Cooper S with its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine provided 189 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel-drive models used a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, while the optional ALL4 AWD system came with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission, reaching 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. Real-world testing in Southern California returned an average of 25.4 mpg, below the EPA’s predicted 28 mpg. The 2024 XC90 Recharge T8 exhibited formidable power and versatility by combining an 18.8 kWh battery and a 107-kilowatt electric motor with the B6’s supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. This hybrid setup delivered an impressive 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels. The plug-in system allowed for 32 miles of electric-only driving, while hybrid mode ensured a balance between electric and gasoline use, achieving 27 mpg in combined driving. Charging the battery took about 12 hours on a standard outlet, but a 240-volt outlet cut this time in half. Unique driving modes like Pure, Power, Hybrid, Constant AWD, and Off-Road enhanced its adaptability. However, the vehicle averaged only 24.5 mpg after the gas engine engaged during testing in hot conditions. The XC90 excelled in delivering power smoothly, but its performance-oriented hopes waned against a backdrop of luxury expectations. While the air suspension and sporty tires provided commendable grip, the ride was firm on irregular surfaces, detracting from its perceived luxury.

Inside the Countryman, the focus was on accommodating four adults comfortably. Our test model’s Iconic trim included dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable heated front seats, and high-quality leather. The upright seating posture and supportive yet small seats ensured comfort, while the heated steering wheel added a touch of luxury. Although designed with five seatbelts, the vehicle was best-suited for four occupants, with sufficient legroom and foot space in the rear. Despite excellent outward visibility, the Countryman lacked modern assistive parking technologies like a surround-view camera or rear cross-traffic alert. Cargo capacity was modest. It offered 17.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, expandable to 47.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down. This space sufficed for two full-size suitcases laid flat, but the plug-in hybrid version slightly reduced available cargo room. The XC90 Recharge T8 outshone with a plethora of luxury features even in its basic Core trim. Our Ultimate trim model added front seat massage, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, upgraded lighting, and a high-quality wool-blend or Nappa leather upholstery. With the panoramic glass roof and a one-touch sunshade control, the interior felt bright and spacious. Accommodating up to seven passengers or six with captain’s chairs, the XC90 offered reasonable third-row seating accessibility. While interior storage was adequate, cargo capacity with the third-row seats in use was limited. With the seats folded, the XC90 carried up to 65.5 cubic feet of cargo, expanding to 85.7 cubic feet with the second row down.

Technology in the MINI Countryman was utilitarian but functional. The center of the dashboard housed an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system within a retro-style round housing. This system inherited BMW’s iDrive capabilities, allowing five interaction methods: touchscreen, physical controls below the screen, steering wheel controls, a center console knob, and voice recognition. It lacked Android Auto connectivity but supported Apple CarPlay. Iconic trim added a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, significantly enhancing the listening experience. The XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google Built-in technology, enabling access to Google Maps, Google Play, and Google Assistant. It included complimentary access to these features for four years, requiring a subscription afterward. Standard technology also encompassed Apple CarPlay and a three-month SiriusXM subscription. Audio options ranged from a 14-speaker Harman Kardon system to a remarkable 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins setup. With its clear and intuitive interface, the XC90’s infotainment system provided a smooth user experience, supplemented by a 12-inch digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display.

The Countryman's safety features were basic but adequate. Equipped with an Active Driving Assistant, the vehicle had forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, it missed advanced systems like blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) ranked the Countryman as Good in crashworthiness evaluations, adding a level of reassurance. Safety was a standout feature for the Volvo XC90. It garnered high ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the IIHS. Equipped with advanced features, including Pilot Assist for semi-autonomous driving, adaptive cruise control, and large-animal detection, the XC90 excelled. However, during evaluation, Pilot Assist exhibited some flaws, particularly on winding roads and rural areas, shaking the confidence in its effectiveness.