Compare the2023 MINI CountrymanVS 2023 Audi A4 Allroad

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 A4 Allroad doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Countryman and the A4 Allroad have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, 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 A4 Allroad.

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 Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI above average in initial quality. With 71 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi 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 Audi 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, Audi is rated below average.

The JCW Countryman’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 40 more horsepower (301 vs. 261) and 58 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 273) than the A4 Allroad’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Countryman gets better mileage than the A4 Allroad:

Regenerative brakes improve the Countryman’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The A4 Allroad doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

An eight-speed automatic is available on the MINI Countryman, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A4 Allroad.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Countryman offers optional 19-inch wheels. The A4 Allroad’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

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 A4 Allroad doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The Countryman S handles at .88 G’s, while the A4 Allroad Prestige pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Countryman’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the A4 Allroad’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The MINI Countryman may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 to 500 pounds less than the Audi A4 Allroad.

The Countryman is 1 foot, 5.8 inches shorter than the A4 Allroad, 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 lower than the A4 Allroad (.34) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Countryman get better fuel mileage.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Countryman a Mid-size car, while the A4 Allroad is rated a Small Station Wagon.

The Countryman has 4.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A4 Allroad (96.9 vs. 92).

The Countryman has 3.1 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more rear headroom and 1.9 inches more rear legroom than the A4 Allroad.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Countryman’s rear seats recline. The A4 Allroad’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 A4 Allroad 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 fourth in service department satisfaction. With an 8% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

The A4 Allroad’s 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.

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 A4 Allroad doesn’t offer a secondary sun visor.

The Countryman is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The A4 Allroad doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the Countryman owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Countryman will cost $1000 to $2980 less than the A4 Allroad over a five-year period.

The Countryman will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Countryman will retain 48.25% to 51.18% of its original price after five years, while the A4 Allroad only retains 46.18% to 46.44%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the MINI Countryman will be $13564 to $17596 less than for the Audi A4 Allroad.

Consumer Reports® recommends the MINI Countryman, 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 A4 Allroad isn’t in the top three.