Compare the2025 MINI CountrymanVS 2025 Audi A4 Allroad

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Countryman are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The A4 Allroad doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Countryman has standard Rear Collision Prevention that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The A4 Allroad doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The Countryman has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the A4 Allroad’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Countryman has standard Cross Traffic Warning and Brake Intervention automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Audi charges extra for Rear Cross-Traffic Assist on the A4 Allroad.

The Countryman’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The A4 Allroad doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Countryman and the A4 Allroad have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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 and available around view monitors.

The MINI Countryman achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The A4 Allroad has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

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. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the A4 Allroad.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that MINI vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI above average in initial quality. With 60 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that MINI vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 101 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 29th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that MINI vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks MINI third in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 19th.

The Countryman S’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 273) than the A4 Allroad’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The JCW Countryman’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 51 more horsepower (312 vs. 261) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 273) than the A4 Allroad’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Countryman S gets better fuel mileage than the A4 Allroad (24 city/32 hwy vs. 23 city/30 hwy).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the MINI Countryman higher (5 to 6 out of 10) than the Audi A4 Allroad (4). This means the Countryman produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the A4 Allroad every 15,000 miles.

The Countryman’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the A4 Allroad’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Countryman offers optional 20-inch wheels. The A4 Allroad’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

For greater off-road capability the Countryman has a 1.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the A4 Allroad (8 vs. 6.5 inches), allowing the Countryman to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Countryman is 1 foot shorter than the A4 Allroad, making the Countryman easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Countryman has 3.3 inches more front headroom, 1.7 inches more rear headroom, 1.3 inches more rear legroom and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the A4 Allroad.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Countryman’s rear seats recline. The A4 Allroad’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Countryman has a larger cargo volume than the A4 Allroad with its rear seat up (25 vs. 24.2 cubic feet).

Optional Trailer Stabilization Control on the Countryman uses the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The A4 Allroad doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in service department satisfaction. With a 30% lower rating, Audi is ranked 18th.

The Countryman’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The A4 Allroad doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Countryman’s standard Comfort Access allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Engine Start/Stop standard on the A4 Allroad only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

The MINI Countryman has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors costs extra on the A4 Allroad.

The Countryman offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the A4 Allroad.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the MINI Countryman has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the A4 Allroad Premium Plus/Prestige offers wireless charging.

The Countryman’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The A4 Allroad Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park and it doesn’t offer remote control parking.