2025 Buick Enclave vs 2024 MINI Countryman

The 2024 MINI Countryman exuded a playful charm, staying true to its British roots with classic Mini styling elements. Its design featured an erect wraparound windshield, a floating roof reminiscent of a bimini top, and Union Jack tail lights that proudly declared its heritage. Buyers had the option to customize their Countryman with various paint treatments, roof, and mirror cap colors, as well as multiple wheel designs. However, it was peculiar that dark tinted rear privacy glass was not standard. The Countryman lineup included several models, each with distinct drivetrains, from the underpowered turbocharged three-cylinder Cooper to the more robust turbocharged four-cylinder engines in the Cooper S and John Cooper Works versions. The Cooper SE offered a plug-in hybrid option with a modest electric range. The test vehicle, a Cooper S with Iconic trim, boasted premium features like leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and a head-up display, all for an MSRP of $41,945. Despite its digital instrumentation and 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, the Countryman retained its classic Mini character, offering a unique and unmistakable experience in a sea of bland small SUVs.

The 2025 Buick Enclave presented a bold and modern appearance, drawing inspiration from the automaker's compact crossover, the Envista. Its front end featured slim DRLs, a large angular grille, and a high beltline, giving it a sharp and upscale look. While the side profile appeared somewhat generic, the Enclave's overall design was a significant improvement over its predecessor. The interior of the Enclave felt both modern and premium, with a floating center console and a large curved display that added an airy, futuristic feel. The Sport Touring test car featured perforated leatherette seats with contrast piping, enhancing the cabin's ambiance. However, the limited availability of a panoramic power sunroof was a drawback, as it was only standard on the top trim. Despite this, the Enclave's interior offered a comfortable and spacious environment, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a near-luxury SUV.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered a range of performance options, with the John Cooper Works (JCW) model standing out as the most powerful. It featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 301 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Mini claimed the JCW could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds, making it the go-to choice for speed enthusiasts. The Cooper S, with its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine generating 189 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque, provided a more balanced performance. It offered a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission for front-wheel drive and an eight-speed sport automatic for the optional all-wheel drive. The Cooper S was quick enough, reaching 60 mph in 7.2 seconds (7.1 seconds with all-wheel drive). While the Countryman excelled in daily driving scenarios, it wasn't the most engaging option for spirited driving, despite its adaptive damping suspension and summer performance tires. Fuel economy was decent, with an EPA rating of 28 mpg combined, though real-world testing yielded 25.4 mpg.

The 2025 Buick Enclave came equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. Power was delivered through an eight-speed automatic transmission, with both front-wheel and all-wheel drive options available. The Enclave's fuel economy was slightly affected by the all-wheel drive, dropping from 23 to 21 mpg combined. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, making it a versatile choice for families. Buick offered two versions of Active Noise Cancellation, with the standard iteration effectively reducing road noise. However, the engine noise cancellation was only standard on the top trim, leaving the lower trims with a louder engine experience. The Enclave's driving dynamics were more akin to a full-size vehicle, with noticeable bulk and loose steering at slower speeds. While not a sports car, it provided a comfortable and stable ride, catering to the needs of families seeking a spacious and capable SUV.

The 2024 MINI Countryman provided seating for four adults and their luggage, making it suitable for a week-long road trip. The Iconic trim package added dual-zone automatic climate control, premium leather upholstery, power-adjustable heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. While the Countryman had seatbelts for five, it was more comfortable for four passengers, with ample legroom and foot space in the rear. Outward visibility was excellent, and the compact dimensions made parking a breeze. However, the lack of a surround-view camera and rear cross-traffic alert system was a drawback. Interior storage was reasonable, though the smartphone charging pad blocked access to the tray beneath it. Cargo space was limited, with 17.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 47.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The Cooper SE PHEV model had slightly smaller cargo measurements.

The 2025 Buick Enclave offered a spacious and versatile interior, with eight-way power adjustability for the driver's seat and six-way for the front passenger. Captain's chairs in the second row allowed for a maximum capacity of seven passengers. The Enclave Avenir trim added heated second-row seats and ventilation for the front row, along with a two-position memory feature. Tri-zone climate control was standard, with middle-row passengers having their own temperature controls. The power-folding second and third-row seats were convenient, with the AutoSense liftgate providing easy access to the cargo area. With all seats in place, the Enclave offered 22.9 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 57.1 cubic feet with the third row folded and 97.5 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

The 2024 MINI Countryman featured a small digital instrumentation display and a head-up display (HUD) projecting information on a small screen. The 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, housed in a round casing reminiscent of classic Mini models, used BMW's iDrive technology. It offered five interaction methods, including touchscreen, volume and tuning controls, steering wheel controls, a control knob on the center console, and voice recognition. While the system lacked Android Auto, it provided Apple CarPlay connectivity. The Iconic trim included a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, delivering excellent audio quality.

The 2025 Buick Enclave showcased its premium positioning with a large curved display integrating the infotainment and digital gauge cluster. The 30-inch ultrawide touchscreen was standard across all trims, though Apple CarPlay interrupted the seamless display. A 12-speaker Bose Premium audio system was standard, with the Avenir trim upgrading to a 16-speaker Bose Performance system. Wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, along with Google Built-In for native apps like Google Maps and Google Assistant. The Enclave also offered a Wi-Fi hotspot and wired charging with USB ports in each row.

The 2024 MINI Countryman had limited advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), with Active Driving Assistant providing forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Rear parking sensors and an emergency SOS call button were standard, with adaptive cruise control available on higher trims. The Countryman lacked blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and a surround-view camera system. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Countryman as "Good" in crashworthiness evaluations.

The 2025 Buick Enclave prioritized safety with a comprehensive suite of ADAS features. Newly standard for 2025 were blind-zone steering assist, intersection automatic emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. HD Surround Vision with multiple camera views and adaptive cruise control were standard, while a head-up display was optional. The Enclave also featured GM's Teen Driver technology and offered Super Cruise, GM's hands-free highway driving technology, as an option. The 2025 Enclave had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the 2024 model received favorable ratings in most tests.