Compare the2024 MINI CountrymanVS 2024 Dodge Hornet

The MINI Countryman has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Hornet doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

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 Hornet 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.

Both the Countryman and the Hornet 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, 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 207 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Hornet has not been tested, yet.

The Countryman comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Hornet’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Countryman’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Hornet’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. Dodge doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Hornet.

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 33 points higher than the Hornet.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that MINI vehicles are more reliable than Dodge vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks MINI third in overall reliability. Dodge is ranked 21st.

The JCW Countryman’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 13 more horsepower (301 vs. 288) than the Hornet R/T’s optional 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Countryman gets better mileage than the Hornet 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. Dodge only offers a regenerative brake system on the Hornet R/T.

The Countryman has 4.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Hornet R/T’s standard fuel tank (16.1 vs. 11.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Countryman has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Hornet GT’s standard fuel tank (16.1 vs. 13.5 gallons).

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 Hornet 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 Hornet doesn’t offer launch control.

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

For better traction, the Countryman has larger tires than the Hornet (225/55R17 vs. 215/60R17).

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 Hornet GT’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 Hornet doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The Countryman has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Hornet doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Countryman’s wheelbase is 1.3 inches longer than on the Hornet (105.1 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

The Countryman S ALL4 handles at .83 G’s, while the Hornet GT pulls only .78 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 Hornet GT (27.2 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Countryman’s turning circle is .5 feet tighter than the Hornet R/T’s (37.4 feet vs. 37.9 feet). The Countryman’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Hornet GT’s (37.4 feet vs. 38 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Countryman has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Hornet R/T (6.5 vs. 6.1 inches), allowing the Countryman to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The MINI Countryman may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 450 pounds less than the Dodge Hornet.

The Countryman is 8.3 inches shorter than the Hornet, making the Countryman easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Countryman has 1.7 inches more front headroom and .1 inches more rear headroom than the Hornet.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Countryman’s rear seats recline. The Hornet’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 Hornet doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than Dodge. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in service department satisfaction. With a 33% lower rating, Dodge is ranked 21st.

The Countryman offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Hornet doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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 Hornet doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Hornet’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 Hornet 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 Hornet’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Countryman’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Hornet offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

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

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 57.04% to 58.15% of its original price after five years, while the Hornet only retains 51.34% to 51.35%.

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

The MINI Countryman outsold the Dodge Hornet by 34% during 2023.