Compare the2025 Mazda CX-50VS 2025 MINI Countryman

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mazda CX-50 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The MINI Countryman doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mazda CX-50 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The MINI Countryman doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Mazda CX-50 achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The MINI Countryman has not been tested.

Both the CX-50 and the Countryman have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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.

The Mazda CX-50 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Countryman has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

Mazda’s powertrain warranty covers the CX-50 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than MINI covers the Countryman. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Countryman ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 6 times as many Mazda dealers as there are MINI dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CX-50’s warranty.

The CX-50’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 25 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 295) than the JCW Countryman’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

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

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CX-50 (except Turbo/Hybrid)’s fuel efficiency. The Countryman doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mazda CX-50 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The JCW Countryman requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The CX-50’s standard fuel tank has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Countryman (15.9 vs. 14.3 gallons).

The CX-50 has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Countryman doesn’t offer a CVT.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-50’s wheelbase is 4.8 inches longer than on the Countryman (110.8 inches vs. 106 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the CX-50 is 2.8 inches wider in the front and 3.1 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Countryman.

For better maneuverability, the CX-50 Hybrid’s turning circle is 2.7 feet tighter than the Countryman S’ (35.4 feet vs. 38.1 feet). The CX-50’s turning circle is 2.7 feet tighter than the JCW Countryman’s (36 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-50 2.5 S Premium Plus has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Countryman (8.6 vs. 8 inches), allowing the CX-50 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The CX-50 has 1.3 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more front shoulder room and 2.8 inches more rear legroom than the Countryman.

The CX-50 has a much larger cargo volume than the Countryman with its rear seat up (31.4 vs. 25 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the CX-50’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Countryman doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the CX-50 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Countryman only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Countryman’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The CX-50 Turbo’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the CX-50 has standard extendable sun visors. The Countryman doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Both the CX-50 and the Countryman offer available heated front seats. The CX-50 Turbo also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Countryman.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the CX-50 Premium Plus/Turbo keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Countryman doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Compared to the MINI Countryman, the Mazda CX-50 eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mazda CX-50 and the MINI Countryman, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Mazda CX-50 outsold the MINI Countryman by almost seven to one during 2024.