Compare the2023 MINI CountrymanVS 2023 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 1 year and 12000 miles longer than Acura pays for maintenance for the RDX (3/36,000 vs. 2/24,000).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in initial quality. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that MINI vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI above average in long-term dependability. With 19 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Acura is rated below average.

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 .83 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 350 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.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than Acura. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in service department satisfaction. With a 2% lower rating, Acura is ranked 6th.

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.

To better shield the driver’s vision, the Countryman has a standard dual-element sun visor that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The RDX doesn’t offer a secondary sun visor.

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 $8929 to $9065 less than for the Acura RDX.

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Countryman second among small suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The RDX isn’t in the top three.