Compare the2023 BMW X1VS 2023 MINI Countryman

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The X1 offers an optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Countryman doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the X1. But it costs extra on the Countryman.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the X1’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Countryman doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The X1 offers an optional Surround View 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 X1’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 and moves the vehicle back into its lane. 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 X1’s standard Cross Traffic Warning with braking function uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side and automatically engage the brakes. The Countryman doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the X1 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, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and driver alert monitors.

There are over 3 times as many BMW dealers as there are MINI dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the X1’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than MINI vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, MINI is rated lower.

The X1’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 107 more horsepower (241 vs. 134) and 133 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 162) than the Countryman’s standard 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder. The X1’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 52 more horsepower (241 vs. 189) and 89 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 206) than the Countryman S’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the BMW X1 is faster than the MINI Countryman:

On the EPA test cycle the X1 gets better mileage than the Countryman:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the BMW X1 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The JCW Countryman requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X1 higher (8 out of 10) than the MINI Countryman (3 to 7). This means the X1 produces up to 30 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Countryman every 15,000 miles.

The X1’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Countryman are solid, not vented.

The X1 stops much shorter than the Countryman:

For better traction, the X1’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Countryman (245/45R19 vs. 225/55R17).

The X1’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Countryman’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X1 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Countryman. The X1’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the Countryman.

The X1’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (56.7% to 43.3%) than the Countryman’s (58.3% to 41.7%). This gives the X1 more stable handling and braking.

The X1 xDrive28i handles at .85 G’s, while the Countryman ALL4 pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X1 xDrive28i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2 seconds quicker than the Countryman ALL4 (26.3 seconds @ .67 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X1 has a 1.6 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Countryman (8.1 vs. 6.5 inches), allowing the X1 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The design of the BMW X1 amounts to more than styling. The X1 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .27 Cd. That is significantly lower than the Countryman (.32) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the X1 get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the X1 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 X1 has 1.6 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Countryman.

The X1 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Countryman with its rear seat up (25.7 vs. 17.6 cubic feet). The X1 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Countryman with its rear seat folded (57.2 vs. 47.6 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the X1. The Countryman doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The X1 has a 3500 lbs. towing capacity. The Countryman has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stabilization Control on the X1 uses the Dynamic Stability Control 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 X1 has a higher standard payload capacity than the Countryman (994 vs. 805 lbs.).

The X1 has a higher maximum payload capacity than the Countryman (994 vs. 924 lbs.).

The X1 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.

The X1 has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Countryman.

The X1’s Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling the transmission and speed with the brake pedal. With its available fully controlled system, the driver just activates it and it parks autonomously, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Countryman’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW X1 and the MINI Countryman, based on reliability, safety and performance.