Compare the2023 Fiat 500XVS 2023 MINI Countryman

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Fiat 500X 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 500X has standard Reactive Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Reactive Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Countryman doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the 500X. But it costs extra on the Countryman.

The 500X Sport’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 500X Sport’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 500X and the Countryman have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available lane departure warning systems, front and rear parking sensors and driver alert monitors.

There are over 3 times as many Fiat dealers as there are MINI dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 500X’s warranty.

The engine in the 500X has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engines in the Countryman have dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

The 500X’s 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 43 more horsepower (177 vs. 134) and 48 lbs.-ft. more torque (210 vs. 162) than the Countryman’s standard 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder. The 500X’s 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 4 lbs.-ft. more torque (210 vs. 206) than the Countryman S’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

The 500X 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.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Fiat 500X, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Countryman.

The 500X stops much shorter than the Countryman:

For better maneuverability, the 500X’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the Countryman’s (36.3 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

The 500X has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Countryman has no towing capacity.

The 500X 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.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the 500X 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 500X has standard extendable sun visors. The Countryman doesn’t offer extendable visors.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the 500X Sport offers an optional Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Countryman doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

Insurance will cost less for the 500X owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the 500X will cost $335 less than the Countryman over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the 500X is less expensive to operate than the Countryman because it costs $291 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the 500X than the Countryman, including $310 less for a muffler, $36 less for front brake pads, $179 less for a starter, $257 less for front struts, $313 less for a timing belt/chain and $155 less for a power steering pump.