Compare the2024 MINI CountrymanVS 2024 Jaguar E-Pace

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 E-Pace doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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 E-Pace 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 E-Pace have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, driver alert monitors, 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 E-Pace has not been tested, yet.

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

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 E-Pace.

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 Jaguar vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI above average in initial quality. With 6 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jaguar is rated lower.

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 Jaguar 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, Jaguar is rated below average.

The JCW Countryman’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 55 more horsepower (301 vs. 246) and 62 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 269) than the E-Pace’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Countryman S 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Jaguar E-Pace:

On the EPA test cycle the Countryman gets better mileage than the E-Pace:

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 E-Pace. 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 E-Pace 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 E-Pace doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the JCW Countryman’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the E-Pace:

The Countryman stops shorter than the E-Pace:

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 E-Pace doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The Countryman has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The E-Pace’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Countryman S handles at .88 G’s, while the E-Pace SE 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 1.2 seconds quicker than the E-Pace SE (27.2 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Countryman’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the E-Pace’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

The MINI Countryman may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 500 pounds less than the Jaguar E-Pace.

The Countryman is 3.3 inches shorter than the E-Pace, making the Countryman easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Countryman is 6.4 inches narrower than the E-Pace, making the Countryman easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The Countryman has 2.1 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom and 3.3 inches more rear legroom than the E-Pace.

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

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than Jaguar. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in service department satisfaction. With a 15% lower rating, Jaguar is ranked 10th.

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 E-Pace can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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. Heated windshield washer nozzles cost extra on the E-Pace.

Consumer Reports rated the Countryman’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the E-Pace’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Countryman has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The E-Pace doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Countryman also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

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 E-Pace doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

The Countryman’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The E-Pace doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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

Insurance will cost less for the Countryman owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Countryman will cost $215 to $1665 less than the E-Pace over a five-year period.

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 E-Pace only retains 51.25%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the MINI Countryman will be $6049 to $18831 less than for the Jaguar E-Pace.

Consumer Reports® recommends the MINI Countryman, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Jaguar E-Pace 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 E-Pace isn’t in the top three in its category.

The MINI Countryman outsold the Jaguar E-Pace by almost 27 to one during 2023.