2024 MINI Countryman vs 2023 Lincoln Aviator

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator presented a sophisticated and luxurious appearance, with a focus on comfort and elegance. It featured a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, available in both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive. The Grand Touring models added a hybrid system with a 75-kilowatt electric motor and a 13.6-kilowatt-hour battery, offering standard all-wheel drive. The Aviator's pricing ranged from $53,340 to $89,280, with the Black Label Grand Touring model reaching $91,225. The Aviator's design was generally appealing, though the wheel designs on the Black Label Grand Touring were considered too plain. The interior was lavish, with a mix of high-end materials and a somewhat busy design, featuring patterned metal trim, chrome accents, and rich caramel-hued leather seats. However, some elements, like the chrome detailing and stitching, were seen as less luxurious.

The 2024 MINI Countryman embraced its playful and distinctive Mini heritage, showcasing classic styling cues like a wraparound windshield, floating roof, and Union Jack tail lights. It offered a variety of paint and wheel options, though dark tinted rear privacy glass was optional. The lineup included Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SE, and John Cooper Works models, each with different powertrains. The Cooper S, with its turbocharged four-cylinder engine, was the test vehicle, featuring the Iconic trim package, adaptive damping suspension, and 19-inch wheels. The MSRP was $41,945. The Iconic trim added premium leather, power-adjustable front seats, and a head-up display, among other features. The Countryman's interior was characterized by its retro design and compact yet comfortable seating for four adults, with excellent outward visibility and reasonable interior storage. Cargo space was limited, but the 40/20/40-split folding back seat design offered flexibility.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring, a plug-in hybrid, delivered impressive performance with its 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. Despite the added weight from the electric motor and battery, it offered 21 miles of electric driving range and averaged 23 mpg in hybrid mode. The Aviator featured multiple driving modes, including Pure EV, Preserve EV, Conserve, Normal, and Excite, allowing for efficient use of the battery charge. During testing, the Aviator achieved 163.4 mpg equivalent when relying on electric power. The twin-turbo V6 provided ample power, though the drivetrain's responsiveness was sometimes unpredictable. The brake pedal exhibited inconsistent behavior due to the regenerative braking system. The Aviator's Dynamic Handling Package and adaptive-damping Active Glide suspension managed the vehicle's weight well, offering a smooth and quiet ride, though it wasn't particularly engaging to drive.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered a range of powertrains, with the John Cooper Works model standing out for its 301 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds. The Cooper S, with its 189 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, provided a zippy and athletic driving experience, reaching 0-60 mph in 7.2 seconds. The Countryman excelled in daily driving scenarios, though it wasn't suited for off-road adventures. The test vehicle, equipped with summer performance tires and an adaptive damping suspension, offered a dynamic driving experience, though it wasn't as engaging as the JCW model. The Cooper S averaged 25.4 mpg during testing, slightly below its EPA rating of 28 mpg.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator prioritized comfort with features like a four-zone automatic climate control system, heated and ventilated seats, and massaging 30-way Perfect Position front seats. The second-row captain's chairs were spacious and supportive, but the third-row seat was cramped and difficult to access. Cargo space was limited with the third row in use, offering 18.3 cubic feet, but expanded to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded and 77.7 cubic feet in total.

The 2024 MINI Countryman accommodated four adults comfortably, with dual-zone automatic climate control, premium leather upholstery, and power-adjustable heated front seats. The interior offered excellent outward visibility and reasonable storage, though 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 back seat folded. The 40/20/40-split folding back seat design provided flexibility for carrying longer items.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Black Label Grand Touring was equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Alexa integration, and more. However, it ran on the outdated Sync 3 software, which struggled with voice recognition. The 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system was a highlight, delivering exceptional sound quality. The Aviator also offered wireless charging, a Phone As A Key digital key system, and a comprehensive head-up display. Parking sensors and a surround-view camera system aided in parking, though the Active Parking Assist 2.0 system was not tested.

The 2024 MINI Countryman featured an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a version of BMW's iDrive technology, offering multiple ways to interact with it. The system included Apple CarPlay but lacked Android Auto. The Iconic trim added a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, which provided excellent audio quality. The head-up display projected information on a small screen, and the voice-recognition system accurately responded to commands.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator offered a range of driver aids through its Co-Pilot360 collections, including adaptive cruise control, road-sign recognition, pedestrian detection, and more. The test vehicle had every available feature, though the lane-keeping system struggled in curves. The Aviator received a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2024 MINI Countryman had limited advanced driving assistance systems, with Active Driving Assistant providing forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and more. Adaptive cruise control was optional on higher trims. The Countryman lacked blind-spot monitoring and other features. The IIHS rated the Countryman as Good in crashworthiness evaluations.