Compare the2024 MINI CountrymanVS 2024 Cadillac XT4

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 XT4 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 XT4 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Countryman and the XT4 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.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Countryman the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 231 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The XT4 has not been fully tested, yet.

The Countryman’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the XT4’s (12 vs. 6 years).

MINI pays for scheduled maintenance on the Countryman for 3 years and 36,000 miles. MINI will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Cadillac only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the XT4.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Countryman’s reliability 20 points higher than the XT4.

The JCW Countryman’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 66 more horsepower (301 vs. 235) and 73 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 258) than the XT4’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Countryman S 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Cadillac XT4:

On the EPA test cycle the Countryman gets better mileage than the XT4:

Regenerative brakes improve the Countryman’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The XT4 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Countryman has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the XT4. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

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 XT4 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Countryman JCW’s 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 XT4 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Countryman’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the XT4:

The Countryman stops much shorter than the XT4:

The Countryman’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the XT4’s standard 60 series tires.

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 XT4 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The Countryman S ALL4 handles at .83 G’s, while the XT4 Sport AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Countryman S ALL4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the XT4 Sport AWD (27.2 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Countryman’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the XT4’s (37.4 feet vs. 38 feet).

The MINI Countryman may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 300 pounds less than the Cadillac XT4.

The Countryman is 11.2 inches shorter than the XT4, 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 XT4’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 XT4 doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Countryman easier. The Countryman’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 26.8 inches, while the XT4’s liftover is 30.5 inches.

The Countryman’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The XT4’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the Countryman the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the XT4 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 XT4’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 XT4 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The XT4 (except Luxury)’s optional 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 and front passenger’s vision, the Countryman has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The XT4 doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

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 XT4 is rated higher at a number “8” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Countryman is less expensive to operate than the XT4 because it costs $337 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Countryman than the XT4, including $89 less for a water pump, $336 less for a muffler, $6 less for front brake pads, $223 less for fuel injection, $385 less for a timing belt/chain and $122 less for a power steering pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends the MINI Countryman, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Cadillac XT4 isn't recommended.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Countryman first among small suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The XT4 isn’t in the top three in its category.