Compare the2022 MINI CountrymanVS 2022 Acura RDX

The Countryman has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The RDX doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Countryman’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The RDX doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Countryman and the RDX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and front parking sensors.

The Countryman’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the RDX’s (12 vs. 5 years).

MINI pays for scheduled maintenance on the Countryman for 3 years and 36,000 miles. MINI will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Acura doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the RDX.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Countryman’s reliability 48 points higher than the RDX.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that MINI vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI 10th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 49 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 26th, below the industry average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that MINI vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks MINI 5 places higher in reliability than Acura.

The JCW Countryman’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 29 more horsepower (301 vs. 272) and 51 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 280) than the RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Countryman gets better mileage than the RDX:

Regenerative brakes improve the Countryman’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The RDX doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Countryman offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The RDX doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Countryman Auto’s optional launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The RDX doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Countryman’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the RDX:

The Countryman stops much shorter than the RDX:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the Countryman can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The RDX doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The Countryman S handles at .88 G’s, while the RDX A-Spec AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Countryman S ALL4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the RDX AWD (27.2 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Countryman’s turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the RDX’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.9 feet).

The MINI Countryman may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 450 pounds less than the Acura RDX.

The Countryman is 1 foot, 5.7 inches shorter than the RDX, making the Countryman easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Countryman’s rear seats recline. The RDX’s rear seats don’t recline.

Flexibility is maximized at the game, campground or a drive-in theatre in the Countryman when its optional tailgating rear seats are deployed, allowing people to sit facing out of the liftgate. (Do not use while vehicle is in motion.) The RDX doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

The Countryman’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The RDX’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Countryman to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The RDX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Countryman has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The RDX doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Countryman also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The Countryman’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The RDX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the Countryman owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Countryman with a number “5” insurance rate while the RDX is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Countryman is less expensive to operate than the RDX because typical repairs cost much less on the Countryman than the RDX, including $215 less for front brake pads, $64 less for a starter, $52 less for fuel injection, $139 less for a fuel pump and $538 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the MINI Countryman will be $4990 to $6406 less than for the Acura RDX.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the MINI Countryman and the Acura RDX, based on reliability, safety and performance.