Compare the2022 Ford EcoSportVS 2022 MINI Countryman

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Ford EcoSport 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the EcoSport. But it costs extra on the Countryman.

The EcoSport (except S)’s optional 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 EcoSport (except S)’s optional 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 EcoSport and the Countryman 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, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available rear parking sensors.

Ford’s powertrain warranty covers the EcoSport 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than MINI covers the Countryman. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Countryman ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 26 times as many Ford dealers as there are MINI dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the EcoSport’s warranty.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Ford vehicles are more reliable than MINI vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ford 1 place higher in reliability than MINI.

The EcoSport’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 32 more horsepower (166 vs. 134) than the Countryman’s standard 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder.

The EcoSport has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Countryman doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The EcoSport stops much shorter than the Countryman:

For better maneuverability, the EcoSport’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the Countryman’s (35.1 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

The EcoSport is 8.4 inches shorter than the Countryman, making the EcoSport easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the EcoSport uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Countryman doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The EcoSport has 2.5 inches more front legroom, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room and 6.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Countryman.

The EcoSport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Countryman with its rear seat up (20.9 vs. 17.6 cubic feet). The EcoSport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Countryman with its rear seat folded (50 vs. 47.6 cubic feet).

The EcoSport has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Countryman has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the EcoSport uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Countryman doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The EcoSport offers a 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.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the EcoSport’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Countryman doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the EcoSport has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Countryman only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

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

The EcoSport (except S) offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Countryman doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the EcoSport owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the EcoSport will cost $515 less than the Countryman over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the EcoSport is less expensive to operate than the Countryman because it costs $163 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the EcoSport than the Countryman, including $239 less for a water pump, $137 less for a muffler, $21 less for front brake pads, $153 less for a starter and $75 less for front struts.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford EcoSport will be $5442 to $10564 less than for the MINI Countryman.

The Ford EcoSport outsold the MINI Countryman by over four to one during the 2021 model year.