Compare the2024 MINI CountrymanVS 2024 Mercedes GLA

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 GLA doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Countryman’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the GLA.

Both the Countryman and the GLA have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, 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 GLA has not been tested, yet.

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

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 39 points higher than the GLA.

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 Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI above average in initial quality. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes 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 Mercedes 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, Mercedes is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that MINI vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks MINI third in overall reliability. Mercedes is ranked 29th.

The JCW Countryman’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 80 more horsepower (301 vs. 221) and 73 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 258) than the GLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

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

The Countryman has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the GLA (16.1 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 GLA doesn’t offer launch control.

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

The Countryman stops much shorter than the GLA:

The Countryman offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the GLA; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the GLA don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

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

The Countryman S ALL4 handles at .83 G’s, while the GLA 250 4MATIC pulls only .80 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 GLA 250 4MATIC (27.2 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

The Countryman is 3.9 inches shorter than the GLA, making the Countryman easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Countryman has 1.5 inches more front headroom and .2 inches more rear headroom than the GLA.

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 GLA doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in service department satisfaction. With a 24% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

Consumer Reports rated the Countryman’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the GLA’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

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 GLA doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

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 GLA only retains 53.93% to 54%.

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