Compare the2022 MINI CountrymanVS 2022 Audi Q3

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 Q3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Countryman and the Q3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and front parking sensors.

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. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Q3.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Countryman has a standard 150-amp alternator. The Q3’s 140-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

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 47 points higher than the Q3.

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 Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI 10th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 89 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that MINI vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI 17th in reliability. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 20th.

The Countryman has more powerful engines than the Q3:

As tested in Motor Trend the Countryman S 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Q3 45 TFSI:

On the EPA test cycle the Countryman gets better mileage than the Q3:

Regenerative brakes improve the Countryman’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Q3 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 Q3 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 Q3 doesn’t offer launch control.

The Countryman stops shorter than the Q3:

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 Q3 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The Countryman offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Q3’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Countryman S ALL4 handles at .83 G’s, while the Q3 40 TFSI Premium Plus pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Countryman S ALL4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the Q3 40 TFSI Premium Plus (27.2 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Countryman’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Q3’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Countryman has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Q3 (6.5 vs. 5.5 inches), allowing the Countryman to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The MINI Countryman may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 to 550 pounds less than the Audi Q3.

The Countryman is 6.9 inches shorter than the Q3, making the Countryman easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the MINI Countryman amounts to more than styling. The Countryman has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .32 Cd. That is significantly lower than the Q3 (.36) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Countryman get better fuel mileage.

The Countryman has 12.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Q3 (96.9 vs. 84).

The Countryman has .9 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more rear headroom and 1.5 inches more rear legroom than the Q3.

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 Q3 doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks MINI 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 2% lower rating, Audi is ranked 12th.

The Countryman offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Q3 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Countryman’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Q3’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 Q3 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Consumer Reports rated the Countryman’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Q3’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Q3 Premium Plus’ cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Countryman’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

When the Countryman with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Q3’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

On extremely cold winter days, the Countryman’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Q3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Countryman is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Q3 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

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 Q3 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 Q3 because it costs $55 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Countryman than the Q3, including $220 less for a water pump, $248 less for a starter, $193 less for fuel injection, $311 less for front struts, $91 less for a timing belt/chain and $420 less for a power steering pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends the MINI Countryman, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Audi Q3 isn't recommended.