Compare the2024 MINI CountrymanVS 2023 Lincoln Corsair

Both the Countryman and the Corsair have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, 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, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and front parking sensors.

The Countryman’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Corsair’s (12 vs. 5 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. Lincoln only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Corsair.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that MINI vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI above average in initial quality. With 29 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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, Lincoln is rated lower.

The JCW Countryman’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 35 more horsepower (301 vs. 266) than the Corsair Grand Touring’s optional 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Countryman gets better mileage than the Corsair running its gasoline engine:

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the Countryman’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Lincoln only offers a regenerative brake system on the Corsair Grand Touring.

The Countryman has 5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Corsair Grand Touring’s standard fuel tank (16.1 vs. 11.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 Corsair. 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 Corsair 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 Corsair doesn’t offer launch control.

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

The Countryman stops much shorter than the Corsair:

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 Corsair Standard’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 Corsair doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The Countryman has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Corsair Grand Touring suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Countryman S handles at .88 G’s, while the Corsair Reserve 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 Corsair Standard AWD (27.2 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

The MINI Countryman may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 700 pounds less than the Lincoln Corsair.

The Countryman is 11.7 inches shorter than the Corsair, making the Countryman easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 Corsair doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than Lincoln. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in service department satisfaction. With a 19% lower rating, Lincoln is ranked 12th.

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

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 Corsair doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

When the Countryman with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Corsair’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

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 Corsair 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 Corsair because it costs $327 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Countryman than the Corsair, including $76 less for a water pump, $94 less for a muffler, $57 less for front brake pads, $181 less for fuel injection, $187 less for a fuel pump, $297 less for a timing belt/chain and $530 less for a power steering pump.

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

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 Corsair isn’t in the top three in its category.