Compare the2025 MINI CountrymanVS 2025 Mazda CX-30

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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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 CX-30 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.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Countryman’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The CX-30 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Countryman has standard Cross Traffic Warning with Brake Intervention, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Only the CX-30 Turbo Premium Plus offers Smart Braking Support - Rear Crossing.

Both the Countryman and the CX-30 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

Warranty

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 CX-30’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 CX-30’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. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CX-30.

Reliability

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 Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI above average in initial quality. With 50 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda 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 Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 11 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 7th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that MINI vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks MINI third in overall reliability. Mazda is ranked 7th.

Engine

The Countryman S’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 50 more horsepower (241 vs. 191) and 109 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 186) than the CX-30’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The JCW Countryman’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 62 more horsepower (312 vs. 250) than the CX-30’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Countryman gets better mileage than the CX-30:

			MPG
Countryman
	AWD	S 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/32 hwy
		JCW 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/30 hwy
CX-30
	AWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/30 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Countryman’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Countryman’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The CX-30 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Countryman has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-30 (14.3 vs. 12.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

A seven-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the MINI Countryman, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the CX-30.

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 CX-30 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Countryman’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 CX-30 doesn’t offer launch control.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Countryman has larger standard tires than the CX-30 (225/55R18 vs. 215/65R16). The Countryman’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-30 (245/45R19 vs. 215/65R16).

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 CX-30 2.5 S’ standard 65 series tires. The Countryman’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Premium’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Countryman has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the CX-30 2.5 S. The Countryman’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Premium.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the MINI Countryman has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda CX-30 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Countryman has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Countryman flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-30’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Countryman offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The CX-30’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Countryman’s wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the CX-30 (106 inches vs. 104.4 inches).

Passenger Space

The Countryman has 2.6 inches more front headroom, 2.8 inches more front hip room, .1 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, .7 inches more rear legroom, 3.1 inches more rear hip room and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-30.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Countryman’s rear seats recline. The CX-30’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Countryman has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-30 with its rear seat up (25 vs. 20.2 cubic feet). The Countryman has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-30 with its rear seat folded (56.2 vs. 45.2 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Countryman. The CX-30 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Countryman’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by waving your foot, leaving your hands completely free. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Towing

The Countryman has a 3499 lbs. towing capacity. The CX-30 has no towing capacity.

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 CX-30 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The Countryman uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The CX-30 uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than Mazda. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in service department satisfaction. With a 23% lower rating, Mazda is ranked 14th.

Ergonomics

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 CX-30 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The power windows standard on both the Countryman and the CX-30 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Countryman is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CX-30 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

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 CX-30 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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. Pushbutton Start standard on the CX-30 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Pushbutton Start is not available on the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Premium.

The Countryman’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The CX-30’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 CX-30 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Countryman’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Premium.

Both the MINI Countryman and Mazda CX-30 offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Countryman features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the CX-30’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The Countryman has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the CX-30 Turbo Premium.

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 CX-30.

The Countryman has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Turbo/Premium.

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. Wireless charging costs extra on the CX-30.

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 CX-30 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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