2023 Jeep Compass vs 2024 MINI Countryman

The 2023 Jeep Compass presented a more refined and upscale appearance, moving away from the rugged design ethos traditionally associated with Jeep. It shared design elements with the larger Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, and Wagoneer families, offering a sophisticated look with new 17-inch wheel designs for the Sport and Latitude models, and gloss black wheels for the Trailhawk. The Compass lineup included various trims, from the base Sport to the off-road-ready Trailhawk, with prices ranging from just under $32,000 to over $40,000. Our test vehicle, a Limited trim with several optional packages, had a sticker price of $45,800. It featured Granite Crystal paint and 19-inch wheels, resembling a scaled-down Grand Cherokee. The interior boasted a two-tone black and gray cabin with caramel accents, sophisticated digital displays, and metallic trim, though the high price seemed excessive.

The 2024 MINI Countryman, like all Minis, embraced a playful and distinctive design, showcasing classic Mini styling cues such as a wraparound windshield, floating roof, and Union Jack tail lights. The Countryman offered various paint and wheel options, with dark tinted rear privacy glass as an optional feature. The lineup included Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SE, and John Cooper Works models, each with different powertrains. Our test car, a Cooper S with Iconic trim, featured premium leather, power-adjustable front seats, and a head-up display. The interior design was unmistakably Mini, with a retro feel and an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Countryman provided a unique experience, standing out in a segment often characterized by bland designs.

The 2023 Jeep Compass finally addressed its long-standing powertrain issues with a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard Jeep Active Drive AWD, offered improved performance. The Compass featured Selec-Terrain with Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud modes, while the Trailhawk added a Rock mode and a Jeep Active Drive Low AWD system. Despite the improvements, the engine prioritized fuel economy over power, achieving an EPA rating of 27 mpg in combined driving, though our tests averaged 23.8 mpg. The Compass handled well on pavement, with the Limited trim providing good grip, but its tall and narrow design led to significant body motions on uneven surfaces. Off-road, the Trailhawk demonstrated its capabilities, though it struggled in some conditions due to its tires.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered a range of powertrains, with the John Cooper Works model delivering the most performance. It featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 301 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and AWD. The JCW accelerated to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. The Cooper S, with 189 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, provided a more balanced performance, reaching 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. The Countryman excelled in daily driving, offering a zippy and athletic feel, though it wasn't as engaging in spirited driving. Our test vehicle averaged 25.4 mpg, slightly below its EPA rating of 28 mpg. The Countryman was best suited for commuting and errands, with the JCW model offering more excitement for those seeking speed.

The 2023 Jeep Compass offered a spacious interior for a small SUV, accommodating adults in both rows. It featured an air filtration system, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a dual-pane sunroof. Cloth upholstery was standard, with leather available on higher trims. Our Limited test vehicle included premium leather, power-adjustable seats, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat provided adequate space for adults, with generous foot room and supportive cushions. Interior storage was acceptable, though the center armrest bin was small. The Compass offered 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2024 MINI Countryman provided room for four adults and their luggage, with dual-zone climate control, premium leather, and power-adjustable heated front seats in the Iconic trim. The seats were supportive, and the steering wheel was comfortable to grip. While the Countryman had seatbelts for five, four passengers were more comfortable. Visibility was excellent, and the compact dimensions made parking easy. Interior storage was reasonable, though the smartphone charging pad blocked access to the tray beneath it. The Countryman offered 17.6 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 47.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 Jeep Compass featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Uconnect 5 technology, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. It offered over-the-air updates and an optional 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel. Our Limited test vehicle included an embedded navigation system, a nine-speaker Alpine sound system, and Alexa Built-in technology. The parking assist system and surround-view camera were useful features, though the Compass's small size made parking assistance less necessary.

The 2024 MINI Countryman, while not a technology powerhouse, offered practical features. It had a small digital instrumentation display and a head-up display. The 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system used BMW's iDrive technology, with multiple interaction methods, including voice recognition. The system lacked Android Auto but supported Apple CarPlay. The Iconic trim included a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, providing excellent audio quality.

The 2023 Jeep Compass added a drowsy driver detection system and rear-seat reminder for 2023. Standard ADAS included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Available upgrades included adaptive cruise control and Highway Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system. Our test vehicle's Highway Assist performed well, though it struggled in certain conditions. The Compass had incomplete crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered limited ADAS, with Active Driving Assistant providing forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. Rear parking sensors and an emergency SOS call button were standard, with adaptive cruise control available on higher trims. The Countryman lacked blind-spot monitoring and other advanced features. IIHS crash-test ratings were incomplete, but the Countryman earned a Good rating in available evaluations.