Compare the2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse CrossVS 2022 MINI Countryman

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The MINI Countryman doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Eclipse Cross SEL has a standard Multi-View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Countryman only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The Eclipse Cross SE/SEL’s blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The Countryman doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Eclipse Cross SE/SEL’s standard rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Countryman doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

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

The Eclipse Cross comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Countryman’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Mitsubishi’s powertrain warranty covers the Eclipse Cross 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than MINI covers the Countryman. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Countryman ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 3 times as many Mitsubishi dealers as there are MINI dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Eclipse Cross’ warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mitsubishi vehicles are better in initial quality than MINI vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 7 more problems per 100 vehicles, MINI is ranked 10th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mitsubishi vehicles are more reliable than MINI vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi 13th in reliability, above the industry average. With 9 more problems per 100 vehicles, MINI is ranked 17th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Mitsubishi vehicles are more reliable than MINI vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mitsubishi 3 places higher in reliability than MINI.

The Eclipse Cross’ 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 18 more horsepower (152 vs. 134) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 162) than the Countryman’s standard 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder.

The Eclipse Cross has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Countryman doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Eclipse Cross stops shorter than the Countryman:

For better maneuverability, the Eclipse Cross AWD’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the Countryman’s (34.8 feet vs. 37.4 feet). The Eclipse Cross’ turning circle is 2.4 feet tighter than the Countryman’s (35 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Eclipse Cross has a 2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Countryman (8.5 vs. 6.5 inches), allowing the Eclipse Cross to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Eclipse Cross has .5 inches more front legroom, 4.3 inches more front shoulder room and 10.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Countryman.

The Eclipse Cross has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Countryman with its rear seat up (23.4 vs. 17.6 cubic feet). The Eclipse Cross has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Countryman with its rear seat folded (50.1 vs. 47.6 cubic feet).

The Eclipse Cross has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Countryman has no towing capacity.

The Eclipse Cross SE/SEL has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Countryman doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Eclipse Cross’ available headlights were rated “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Countryman’s headlights are rated “Marginal” to “Poor.”

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Eclipse Cross has standard extendable sun visors. The Countryman doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Both the Eclipse Cross and the Countryman offer available heated front seats. The Eclipse Cross SEL also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Countryman.

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross outsold the MINI Countryman by 10% during 2020.