Compare the2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse CrossVS 2023 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the Eclipse Cross. But it costs extra on the Countryman.

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 Traffic Alert uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Countryman doesn’t offer a rear 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, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems and rearview cameras.

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 over 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.

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.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross uses regular unleaded gasoline. The JCW Countryman requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

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).

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, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room and 1.1 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.

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.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross will be $2144 to $7738 less than for the MINI Countryman.

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross outsold the MINI Countryman by 13% during 2022.