Compare the2025 MINI CountrymanVS 2025 Mazda CX-50

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

Safety

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With its standard Warning Function for Pedestrians, the MINI Countryman is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Mazda CX-50, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Countryman	CX-50
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	AVOIDED	-23 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-10 MPH
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-11 MPH
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-14 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-13 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-19 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-19 MPH
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-19 MPH
37 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-14 MPH

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Countryman’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The CX-50 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-50 Turbo Premium Plus offers Rear Cross Traffic Braking.

Both the Countryman and the CX-50 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, 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.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the MINI Countryman is safer than the CX-50:

	Countryman	CX-50
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	245 lbs.	268 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.79 in	1.34 in
Shoulder Force	178 lbs.	357 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.02 in	1.61 in
Torso Deflection Rate	7 MPH	10 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	825 lbs.	982 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	8 MPH
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

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-50’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-50’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-50.

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 has more powerful engines than the CX-50:

	Horsepower	Torque
Countryman S 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	241 HP	295 lbs.-ft.
JCW Countryman 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	312 HP	295 lbs.-ft.
CX-50 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder	187 HP	185 lbs.-ft.
CX-50 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid	219 HP	163 lbs.-ft.
CX-50 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder	256 HP	320 lbs.-ft.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Countryman gets better mileage than the CX-50:

			MPG
Countryman
	AWD	S 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/32 hwy
		JCW 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/30 hwy
CX-50
	AWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/29 hwy

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the Countryman’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Mazda only offers a regenerative brake system on the CX-50 Hybrid.

Regardless of its engine, the Countryman’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Mazda only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the CX-50 Turbo/Hybrid.

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-50.

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-50 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-50 doesn’t offer launch control.

Tires and Wheels

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-50’s standard 65 series tires. The Countryman’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the CX-50 Premium Plus/Turbo’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Countryman has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the CX-50.

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-50 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-50’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-50’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For greater off-road capability the Countryman has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-50 Hybrid Preferred (8 vs. 7.6 inches), allowing the Countryman to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The Countryman is 10.8 inches shorter than the CX-50, making the Countryman easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The Countryman has 1.6 inches more front headroom, 3.8 inches more front hip room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 4.2 inches more rear hip room and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-50.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Countryman’s rear seats recline. The CX-50’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Countryman. The CX-50 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-50 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’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the CX-50’s (3499 vs. 2000 pounds).

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-50 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

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-50 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The power windows standard on both the Countryman and the CX-50 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-50 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-50 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. The CX-50 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-50 Preferred/Premium/Turbo.

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 are only offered on the CX-50 Premium Plus/Turbo.

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-50 Turbo/Hybrid Premium Plus.

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-50.

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 CX-50 Preferred/PremiumTurbo 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 CX-50 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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