2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid vs 2024 MINI Countryman

The 2024 MINI Countryman showcased classic Mini styling cues with a playful twist. It featured an erect wraparound windshield, a floating roof reminiscent of a bimini top, and Union Jack tail lights that loudly and proudly expressed its British heritage. The array of customization options for paint, roof, and mirror caps contributed to its vibrant personality, although it was odd that dark tinted rear privacy glass was optional and not standard.

The lineup offered models such as Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SE, and John Cooper Works, each providing distinct drivetrains. Test cars like the Cooper S with the Iconic trim package came equipped with features like dark-tinted privacy glass, an adaptive damping suspension, and 19-inch wheels fitted with summer performance tires. Priced at $41,945, including the destination charge, the Iconic trim added premium leather, power-adjustable front seats, a head-up display, wireless smartphone charging, and more customization options.

In stark contrast, the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid exuded a more conservative aesthetic. Priced at a base of $33,700, the Sport Hybrid trim was the most affordable, featuring black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out exterior trim. Although it maintained a sporty exterior, the interior felt rather basic. Higher trims like the Sport-L and Sport Touring offered leather-lined interiors, with the latter priced at $41,175, including the destination charge.

The CR-V's styling was a mix of conservative lines and technical elements, giving it a resemblance to an angry robot from the front. Certain features like the tusks framing the lower air intake added unnecessary visual weight over its front wheels. However, the rear quarter view, reminiscent of a Volvo, offered an upscale look. Despite the sleek design, the dark paint colors rendered the 19-inch gloss black wheels nearly invisible.

When it came to performance, the 2024 MINI Countryman offered varied experiences based on the chosen model. The Cooper’s turbocharged three-cylinder engine felt underpowered, while the Cooper SE delivered an unremarkable electric range and slight improvement in fuel efficiency. The Cooper S and John Cooper Works models stood out. The John Cooper Works, with its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder generating 301 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque, could accelerate to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds, making it the go-to for those seeking speed.

For general driving needs, the Cooper S offered a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 189 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. This model with front-wheel drive came equipped with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, while the ALL4 all-wheel drive utilized an eight-speed sport automatic. Acceleration to 60 mph took 7.2 seconds, or 7.1 seconds with the ALL4. Despite the performance-oriented adaptive damping suspension and summer performance tires in the test vehicle, the Countryman shone best during everyday commuting rather than high-speed driving.

On the fuel efficiency front, the Cooper S, rated at 28 mpg combined by the EPA, averaged 25.4 mpg during testing on a mountainous route in Southern California.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid opted for a different performance approach, featuring a fourth-generation two-motor hybrid drive system. This system combined an Atkinson-cycle 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors: one for propulsion and the other for generating power. The hybrid system functioned seamlessly, providing 204 horsepower to either the front or all four wheels.

Despite its powertrain complexity, the CR-V Hybrid was expected to achieve 37 mpg combined according to the EPA. However, real-world testing yielded 32.4 mpg on a similar mountainous testing loop. Compared to the non-hybrid CR-V EX-L, which achieved 29.1 mpg on the same route, the hybrid’s benefits seemed marginal. Nonetheless, the CR-V Hybrid delivered a quiet, compliant ride with predictable handling and impressive braking performance, albeit with a notably heavy steering effort in normal driving mode.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered seating for four adults and limited luggage space suitable for a week-long road trip. The Iconic trim introduced premium features like dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable heated front seats, and leather upholstery. Although it technically seated five, comfort for the fifth passenger was questionable. The upright seating position, excellent outward visibility, and compact dimensions made the Countryman easy to maneuver and park.

Storage was practical if modest. The rear cargo area, measuring 17.6 cubic feet, could fit two full-size suitcases side by side, and the 40/20/40-split folding back seat allowed for flexibility. With the seats folded, cargo space expanded to 47.6 cubic feet, though slightly less for the Cooper SE PHEV model.

Conversely, the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in the form and function department. It featured a high-quality interior with comfortable seating and a roomy cargo area. All CR-V Hybrids came with a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, enhancing comfort with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Dual-zone climate control was standard.

Notably, getting in and out of the CR-V was easy, with rear doors opening nearly to a 90-degree angle, making it convenient for installing child safety seats. The back seat was spacious and adjustable, providing excellent leg support and plenty of legroom. Additional amenities included air conditioning vents and USB-C charging ports.

Storage options were plentiful, although the glove compartment was somewhat small. The Sport Touring model’s cargo area offered 34.7 cubic feet of space, expanding to 76.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down, making it one of the most spacious in its class. The Sport and Sport-L trims provided even more cargo capacity at 36.3 cubic feet.

The 2024 MINI Countryman wasn’t a technology powerhouse but provided practical features. Along with a small digital instrumentation display and a useful head-up display, the test vehicle’s infotainment system housed in a retro-style housing included an 8.8-inch touchscreen. Utilizing BMW’s iDrive system, it offered numerous interaction methods: touchscreen, volume and tuning controls, steering wheel controls, a control knob on the center console, and voice recognition.

Despite lacking Android Auto and only supporting Apple CarPlay, the infotainment system was user-friendly and responsive. The Iconic trim’s 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system delivered excellent sound quality.

In contrast, the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid came standard with a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Higher trims offered a slightly larger 9-inch display. Features like wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless smartphone charging were reserved for higher trims such as the Sport-L and Sport Touring. Subscription-based connected services like a Wi-Fi hotspot were exclusive to the Sport Touring.

Pairing an iPhone via Bluetooth and running Apple CarPlay was seamless, and the 12-speaker Bose premium audio system in the Sport Touring trim excelled in sound quality. However, the basic voice recognition system was limited in functionality, falling short of more advanced smartphone digital assistants.

The 2024 MINI Countryman lagged behind in advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). Standard equipment included Active Driving Assistant with 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. Adaptive cruise control was available on higher trims, but features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and a surround-view camera system were missing.

The Countryman’s incomplete crash-test ratings from the IIHS showed good results in the tests conducted.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid, however, boasted a comprehensive suite of Honda Sensing ADAS features. It included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, and a driver monitoring system. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, as well as front and rear parking sensors, were standard on Sport-L and Sport Touring trims.

Honda Sensing performed admirably during testing, with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist standing out for their smooth operation. The IIHS rated the CR-V highly, awarding it a Top Safety Pick+ for 2023, although NHTSA ratings were not yet available for the 2024 model.