Compare the2024 MINI CountrymanVS 2024 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

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 Range Rover Evoque 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 Range Rover Evoque 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 Range Rover Evoque 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, 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 Range Rover Evoque has not been tested, yet.

The Countryman’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the Range Rover Evoque’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. Land Rover doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Range Rover Evoque.

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 Range Rover Evoque.

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 Land Rover vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI above average in initial quality. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Land Rover 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 Land Rover 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, Land Rover 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 Range Rover Evoque’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Countryman S 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque:

On the EPA test cycle the Countryman gets better mileage than the Range Rover Evoque:

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 Range Rover Evoque. 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 Range Rover Evoque 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 Range Rover Evoque doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the JCW Countryman’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Range Rover Evoque:

The Countryman stops shorter than the Range Rover Evoque:

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 Range Rover Evoque’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 Range Rover Evoque doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The Countryman S ALL4 handles at .83 G’s, while the Range Rover Evoque pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Countryman S ALL4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the Range Rover Evoque (27.2 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.5 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

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

The MINI Countryman may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 500 pounds less than the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque.

The Countryman is 6.9 inches narrower than the Range Rover Evoque, making the Countryman easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The Countryman has 1.6 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front legroom and 3.6 inches more rear legroom than the Range Rover Evoque.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Countryman’s rear seats recline. The Range Rover Evoque’s rear seats don’t recline.

The front step up height for the Countryman is 1.9 inches lower than the Range Rover Evoque (16.8” vs. 18.7”). The Countryman’s rear step up height is 1.5 inches lower than the Range Rover Evoque’s (17” vs. 18.5”).

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 Range Rover Evoque 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 Range Rover Evoque’s liftover is 28.7 inches.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than Land Rover. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in service department satisfaction. With a 58% lower rating, Land Rover is ranked 30th.

The Countryman’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Range Rover Evoque’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 Range Rover Evoque.

Consumer Reports rated the Countryman’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Range Rover Evoque’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 Range Rover Evoque 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 Range Rover Evoque 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 Range Rover Evoque doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Countryman is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Range Rover Evoque 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 $645 to $3385 less than the Range Rover Evoque 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 Range Rover Evoque only retains 50.91% to 52.06%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Countryman is less expensive to operate than the Range Rover Evoque because typical repairs cost much less on the Countryman than the Range Rover Evoque, including $103 less for a muffler, $91 less for front brake pads, $108 less for a starter, $314 less for fuel injection, $305 less for a fuel pump and $254 less for front struts.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the MINI Countryman will be $15760 to $19926 less than for the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque.

Consumer Reports® recommends the MINI Countryman, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Land Rover Range Rover Evoque 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 Range Rover Evoque isn’t in the top three.

The MINI Countryman outsold the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque by over three to one during 2023.