2024 MINI Countryman vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Volvo XC90 marked a significant departure from the brand's past design ethos, which was often likened to utilitarian appliances. This model showcased a purposeful yet understated aesthetic, with a stout front end and an assertive grille that avoided being overly flashy. The signature "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern touch, distinguishing it from the boxy Volvos of the past. The XC90's rectilinear dimensions were still present, but the overall design was far from the toaster-like appearance of its predecessors. The interior of the XC90 was a testament to Scandinavian elegance, featuring a minimalist design with luxurious materials such as Nappa leather and wood deco inlays. The cabin exuded a clean and sophisticated look, with a focus on high-quality finishes and a minimalist approach to controls.

In contrast, the 2024 MINI Countryman embraced a playful and distinctive design, staying true to its classic Mini styling cues. It featured a wraparound windshield, a floating roof, and Union Jack tail lights, proudly displaying its British heritage. The Countryman offered a variety of customization options, including paint treatments and wheel designs, allowing owners to personalize their vehicles. Inside, the Countryman provided a unique experience with its retro-inspired interior design and quirky switchgear. The cabin was equipped with premium leather, power-adjustable front seats, and a dual-panel moonroof, creating a comfortable and stylish environment. Despite its compact size, the Countryman offered a surprising amount of space for passengers and luggage, making it a practical choice for those seeking a small SUV with character.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced new B5 and B6 engines, replacing the older T5 and T6 powertrains. These new engines incorporated mild-hybrid technology, offering improved fuel efficiency and smoother operation. The B5 engine, with its turbocharger and 48-volt mild-hybrid system, produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The B6 powertrain, featuring both a supercharger and a turbocharger, delivered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. While the mild-hybrid setup didn't allow for electric-only driving, it provided benefits such as imperceptible auto stop-start technology and reduced engine load. The XC90 offered a comfortable and composed driving experience, with quick acceleration and a well-tuned eight-speed automatic transmission. Its handling was surprisingly agile for a vehicle of its size, and the brakes inspired confidence with their solid pedal feel.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered a range of powertrains, with the John Cooper Works (JCW) model standing out for its performance. The JCW 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. This setup allowed the JCW to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds. The Cooper S variant, with its 189 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, provided a zippy and athletic driving experience. The Countryman excelled in daily driving scenarios, offering a fun and engaging ride. However, its fuel economy was slightly below expectations, with an average of 25.4 mpg during testing. While the Countryman was not designed for off-road adventures, it handled twisty roads with confidence, making it a suitable choice for those seeking a spirited drive.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 offered a serene and pleasant front-seat experience, but its Scandinavian minimalism led to some space and storage challenges. The lack of dedicated cubby space for smaller items, such as cell phones, was a notable drawback. The second row provided reasonable comfort and space, but accessing the third row was a challenge, especially with the standard seven-passenger seating configuration. The XC90's cargo capacity was competitive, with 12.5 cubic feet behind the third row and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. However, it fell short compared to some competitors in its class. Despite its smaller size, the XC90 drove like a more compact vehicle, offering a nimble and enjoyable driving experience.

The 2024 MINI Countryman provided ample space for four adults and their luggage, making it suitable for road trips. The Iconic trim package added features like dual-zone climate control, premium leather upholstery, and power-adjustable heated front seats. The Countryman's compact dimensions made it easy to maneuver and park, although it lacked some advanced parking technologies. Interior storage was reasonable, but the smartphone charging pad's placement under the center armrest was inconvenient. Cargo space was limited, with 17.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 47.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Countryman's 40/20/40-split folding back seat design allowed for flexibility in carrying longer items.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch vertically positioned touchscreen infotainment display running on Google OS, making it the first vehicle to offer this technology as standard. The system integrated Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant, providing a seamless and intuitive user experience. Natural-language recognition was a standout feature, allowing for easy voice commands. However, the reliance on the touchscreen for many functions could be frustrating, as it lacked physical buttons for certain controls. While the minimalist design was visually appealing, it required some adjustment for users to become accustomed to the interface.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered a practical technology package, with 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 within a round housing reminiscent of classic Mini models, utilized BMW's iDrive technology. Users could interact with the system through various methods, including the touchscreen, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. While the system lacked Android Auto connectivity, it supported Apple CarPlay. The Iconic trim included a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, delivering excellent audio quality.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety features, earning a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The XC90 came equipped with advanced driver safety technologies, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist, which helped maintain distance and lane position. These features were standard, reinforcing Volvo's commitment to safety.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered a basic set of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) through its Active Driving Assistant package. This included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. While the Countryman lacked some advanced safety features like blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist, it provided essential safety technologies. The IIHS rated the Countryman with the highest crashworthiness rating of Good in the evaluations conducted.