Compare the2025 MINI CountrymanVS 2024 Subaru Crosstrek

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

Safety

© 1999 - 2024Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. XPYNN-M34HG 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2024/12/21

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 Crosstrek 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 Crosstrek 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.

The Countryman offers an optional 360-degree camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Crosstrek only offers a rear monitor.

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 Crosstrek’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. Subaru charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Crosstrek and its not available on the Base and the Crosstrek’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

Compared to metal, the Countryman’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Subaru Crosstrek has a metal gas tank.

Both the Countryman and the Crosstrek 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, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and driver alert monitors.

The MINI Countryman weighs 408 to 559 pounds more than the Subaru Crosstrek. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 Crosstrek:

	Countryman	Crosstrek
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.79 in	1.65 in
Shoulder Force	178 lbs.	402 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.02 in	1.3 in
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	825 lbs.	848 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	183	215
Torso	GOOD	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	1.06 in	2.17 in
Shoulder Force	335 lbs.	714 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.3 in	1.97 in
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	11 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	1004 lbs.	1182 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

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 Crosstrek last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2023.

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 Crosstrek’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 Crosstrek’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. Subaru doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Crosstrek.

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 Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI above average in initial quality. With 1 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is rated lower.

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 Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 13th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that MINI vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks MINI third in overall reliability. Subaru is ranked 6th.

Engine

The Countryman S’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 89 more horsepower (241 vs. 152) and 150 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 145) than the Crosstrek’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Countryman S’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 59 more horsepower (241 vs. 182) and 117 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 178) than the Crosstrek Sport/Limited/Wilderness’ standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The JCW Countryman’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 130 more horsepower (312 vs. 182) and 117 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 178) than the Crosstrek Sport/Limited/Wilderness’ standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Countryman S gets better fuel mileage than the Crosstrek Wilderness (24 city/32 hwy vs. 25 city/29 hwy).

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

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 Crosstrek doesn’t offer launch control.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Countryman’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Crosstrek (245/45R19 vs. 225/60R17).

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 Crosstrek’s standard 60 series tires. The Countryman’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Crosstrek Sport/Limited’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Countryman has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Crosstrek. The Countryman’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Crosstrek Sport/Limited.

Suspension and Handling

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 Crosstrek’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Countryman has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Countryman is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Crosstrek.

Passenger Space

The Countryman has .9 inches more front headroom, 2.3 inches more front hip room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, .5 inches more rear legroom and 1.1 inches more rear hip room than the Crosstrek.

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

Cargo Capacity

The Countryman has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Crosstrek with its rear seat up (25 vs. 19.9 cubic feet). The Countryman has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Crosstrek with its rear seat folded (56.2 vs. 54.7 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Countryman’s power liftgate can be opened or closed just by waving your foot, leaving your hands completely free. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Towing

The Countryman’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Crosstrek’s (3499 vs. 1500 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 Crosstrek doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The Countryman uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Crosstrek 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 Subaru. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in service department satisfaction. With a 7% lower rating, Subaru is ranked 7th.

Ergonomics

The Countryman has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When two different drivers share the Countryman, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer a memory system.

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 Crosstrek doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Countryman has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Countryman’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Crosstrek’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

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 Crosstrek can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Countryman has standard Comfort Access that allows 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. Only the Crosstrek Premium/Sport/Limited/Wilderness offers Keyless Access and Start.

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 Crosstrek’s 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 Crosstrek doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Countryman’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Heated mirrors cost extra on the Crosstrek and aren’t offered on the Crosstrek Base.

When the Countryman with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Crosstrek’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

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 not standard on all versions of the Crosstrek.

On extremely cold winter days, the Countryman’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

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 Crosstrek.

Both the Countryman and the Crosstrek offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Countryman has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

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 Crosstrek.

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 Crosstrek doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

See Available Inventory