2024 MINI Countryman vs 2023 Honda HR-V

The 2023 Honda HR-V underwent a significant styling transformation, shedding some of its previous quirky charm for a more sophisticated and modern appearance. The lowered beltline and simplified detailing contributed to a sleeker look, with cleaner lines and fewer interruptions. The windshield wipers were discreetly tucked under the hood's lip, and the black molding strips on the roof were removed. The test model was showcased in a unique Nordic Forest Pearl color, adding to its refined aesthetic. Inside, the HR-V's interior echoed the refinement trend set by the 2022 Civic, featuring a metal honeycomb grille that concealed the vents, touch-sensitive lights, and a sculptural center console. The EX-L trim, in particular, offered perforated leather seats, dual-zone climate control, and a power moonroof, creating a comfortable and upscale cabin experience.

In contrast, the 2024 MINI Countryman embraced its playful and classic Mini styling cues, with a wraparound windshield, floating roof, and Union Jack tail lights. The Countryman offered a variety of paint, roof, and mirror cap treatments, along with multiple wheel designs. The test vehicle, in Cooper S specification with the Iconic trim package, featured dark-tinted privacy glass, an adaptive damping suspension, and 19-inch wheels. The interior boasted premium leather, power-adjustable front seats, and a head-up display. The Countryman's design was unmistakably Mini, with a retro interior and a dual-panel moonroof that allowed natural light to flood the cabin. Despite its compact size, the Countryman provided a unique and enjoyable experience for both drivers and passengers.

The 2023 Honda HR-V was equipped with a single powertrain option: a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. This marked an improvement over the previous model, with an increase of 17 hp and 11 lb-ft. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) featured a Step-Shift function to mimic traditional automatic transmission sounds during acceleration. The HR-V offered Normal, Snow, and ECON drive modes, with Sport mode available for a more dynamic driving experience. While the HR-V was fun to drive on mountain roads, it was not overpowered, and competitors like the Kia Seltos and Ford Bronco Sport offered more powertrain options.

The 2024 MINI Countryman, on the other hand, offered a range of powertrains. The John Cooper Works (JCW) model featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 301 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission. This allowed the JCW to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds. The Cooper S model, with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, produced 189 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque. It offered a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission for front-wheel drive and an eight-speed sport automatic for all-wheel drive. The Cooper S was quick, reaching 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, and provided a zippy and athletic driving experience. However, the Countryman was not designed for off-road adventures, and its fuel economy was slightly lower than expected, averaging 25.4 mpg during testing.

The 2023 Honda HR-V, a subcompact SUV, offered a well-thought-out interior with a center console featuring a shelf for drive mode controls and USB ports. The HR-V's fastback design slightly reduced rear-seat headroom, but it still provided 39.4 inches in the front and 38.0 inches in the rear. Cargo space measured 24.4 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 55.1 cubic feet with them folded. The HR-V's interior was spacious for its class, with 98.7 cubic feet of passenger volume in LX and Sport trims and 97.3 cubic feet in EX-L. The rear seats featured a 60/40 split design, creating a nearly flat floor when folded down.

The 2024 MINI Countryman accommodated four adults comfortably, with enough luggage space for a week-long road trip. The Iconic trim package included dual-zone automatic climate control, premium leather upholstery, and power-adjustable heated front seats. The Countryman offered excellent outward visibility and easy parking, though it lacked some advanced parking technologies. Interior storage was reasonable, but the smartphone charging pad blocked access to the tray beneath it. Cargo space was limited, with 17.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 47.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The 40/20/40-split folding back seat allowed for longer items without sacrificing passenger space.

The 2023 Honda HR-V featured a tablet-style touchscreen infotainment system with a physical knob for power and volume control. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all trims, with wireless versions available on the EX-L. The EX-L also offered a 9-inch infotainment display, a wireless charging pad, and an eight-speaker audio system. The HR-V's technology package included a 7-inch digital gauge cluster, Bluetooth connectivity, and various audio options.

The 2024 MINI Countryman, while not a technology powerhouse, offered useful features. The test vehicle included a head-up display and an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with BMW's iDrive technology. The system provided multiple interaction methods, including a touchscreen, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. However, the Countryman lacked Android Auto connectivity, offering only Apple CarPlay. The Iconic trim came with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, delivering excellent audio quality.

The 2023 Honda HR-V came standard with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, collision-mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist, and more. New features for 2023 included traffic-sign recognition and traffic jam assist. The HR-V had not yet been crash-tested for 2023, but the 2022 model received high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered limited ADAS features, with Active Driving Assistant providing forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. Adaptive cruise control was available on higher trims, but the Countryman lacked blind-spot monitoring and other advanced safety technologies. The IIHS rated the Countryman highly in crashworthiness evaluations, but some testing was incomplete.