Mini Countryman vs Honda CR-V

What's the difference?

The new Mini Countryman John Cooper Works in Favoured trim offers everything you’d expect it to - the iconic Mini styling, a powerful driving performance and a well-equipped cabin. It’s a wonderfully quick urban dweller that you can park anywhere but is just as happy on the open-road. For me, this is pure fun and offers more personality than a lot of its rivals.

The Honda CR-V RS hybrid has plenty going for it. It’s a well-rounded package with good levels of comfort and practicality, and a driving experience that’s easy to live with day to day.

There are a few areas that hold it back from leading the segment. The multimedia system feels behind the curve for a flagship grade, and the engine can become vocal under load. Some rivals also edge ahead when it comes to outright equipment.

Even so, the CR-V still delivers where it counts. It’s efficient, spacious and comfortable.

It's a case of the 'not-so-mini' when it comes to the new Countryman because it now stands at 4447mm in length, 1843mm in width and 1645mm in height. That's 170mm longer and 21mm wider than the previous generation!

But the Countryman still has all of the fun styling you’d expect in a Mini and it’s that iconic styling that sets this car apart from its rivals. It knows its fun and isn't afraid to show it.

Our Mini Countryman gets JCW badging across the body of the car, including its wheels but it's the chequered flag motif across the grille that reminds you what’s under the bonnet.

Unfortunately, our test model is finished in the rather boring 'Midnight Black II' but the range of colours and customisations available on the Countryman will help make it feel like your own.

Head inside and there's a hefty mix of materials in the cabin space. You’ve got a thick and rough-textured weave/knit across the dash, doors and tops of the sports seats but that’s then mixed with a black synthetic upholstery and plastics everywhere else.

The red stitching and accents won’t land with everyone but it certainly creates a fun atmosphere.

There are some lovely design highlights with rose gold metal accents in the door handles and air vents. A panoramic sunroof adds some much needed airiness and I adore the way you still get a ‘turn-key’ experience despite having keyless start with the starter knob.

The round media screen isn't as well-integrated as before but it looks gorgeous and the different drive modes give you a range of colours to further customise the cabin.

The CR-V hasn’t changed much since this generation launched in 2023, but it remains a purposeful-looking SUV for the segment. A slightly longer body and 198mm of ground clearance give it a bit more presence on the road than some of its rivals.

The silhouette is clean and confident, lifted by black 19-inch alloy wheels, matching door handles and a sharply styled honeycomb grille.

Inside, the cabin reflects the RS grade nicely. The embossed leather seats with red contrast stitching add a sporty edge, while the dashboard design feels cohesive and well thought out. The honeycomb air vents tie in nicely with the grille and look modern. There's a satisfying tactility throughout, with plenty of soft-touch materials and clicky buttons. The panoramic sunroof and black headliner also give a subtle sense of sophistication.

As far as flagship grades go, it looks the part.

The cabin of the Mini Countryman doesn't feel like it belongs in a small SUV. The legroom is still best up front but the second row offers more than enough space for taller adults. It will be most comfortable for four rather than five adults, though.

The electric front seats have large side bolstering and decent padding but they are on the firmer side. You get a little bit of fatigue on a longer trip but around town they’re great and the massage function on the driver's seat is strong.

The rear seat is even firmer than the front and set like a stadium seat, so it won't be as comfy for adults on a longer trip. The fold-down armrest adds some bolstering.

While the storage looks a little odd at first, all of the cubbies are quite functional. There's a lot of them, too, and the dual shelves underneath the starter-knob are particularly handy for your larger 'small' items, like phones and sunnies case. This is where the wireless charging pad is, too.

The glove box can fit a manual and the little centre console is kind of adorable but still fit all of my keys and wallet.

The sliding armrest is a nice touch and there's a couple of USB-C ports underneath it. There are two large cupholders, two drink holders and small storage bins in the doors.

In the rear you get a drink bottle holder in each door, two map pockets, two USB-C ports and two cupholders.

The circular multimedia screen looks great and once you get used to how the menus are accessed and the little shortcuts, it’s a fairly simple system to use while on the go.

The touchscreen is fairly responsive but you'll need to do wide swipes across to switch the menu screens.

I’m not a massive fan of having to access a screen for most of your functions but do like the way climate control remains on the screen at all times and it's just the fan function that needs a couple of extra toggles.

The multimedia system is run by Android Automotive and has wired and wireless phone mirroring. The Apple CarPlay maintained a steady connection this week with my iPhone 15 Pro Max and the built-in sat nav is easy to use.

Rounding out the interior is the large 505L boot and if you want more storage options, the back row has a 40/20/40 split-fold.

The loading space has a small lip, and a handy storage compartment underneath the floor which holds the tyre repair kit and other items you don’t want rolling around. JCWs get a hands-free powered tailgate, which is always handy after a big shopping trip.

Up front, there’s plenty of space and the seats are comfortable over longer drives, helped by the extra adjustment and functions on offer. The seat bases are on the shorter side though, so I would have liked to see extendable under-thigh support for added comfort.

Storage is well thought out, making it easy to keep things tidy. There’s a deep centre console, two cupholders and decent door bins, along with a large tray that houses the wireless charging pad and two USB-C ports.

In the back, legroom is generous and the seats themselves are comfortable, especially with the heat function on the outboard seats. The transmission tunnel is also not too high for middle seaters. Headroom is a touch tighter, due to the panoramic sunroof, but it’s not a dealbreaker. The wide-opening rear doors also make access easy.

Features in the backseat are a little more modest than expected for a flagship. You get directional air vents and a couple of USB-C ports, but miss out on extras like separate climate controls and device pockets. There are two ISOFIX points and three top-tether anchors, though realistically two child seats will fit best.

Around the back, the 581L boot capacity means it easily handled luggage for four adults along with a weekend shop. This grade also includes a powered tailgate, though it makes do with a tyre repair kit rather than a spare, which won't suit everyone.

From the driver’s seat, the tech experience is a bit of a mixed bag. The multimedia system feels dated, both in size and graphics, and some settings can be fiddly to locate and adjust, including the head-up display. Wireless Apple CarPlay is a welcome inclusion, though it did take a few attempts to connect initially. Once paired, it’s been reliable.

On the plus side, Honda has kept physical buttons and dials for key functions, which makes a big difference to everyday usability. Very little is buried in menus, and it all feels intuitive to operate on the move.

There are six grades in the CR-V range, split across petrol and hybrid powertrains. We’re testing the flagship e:HEV RS hybrid here, priced from $64,400 drive-away. That puts it toward the upper end of the segment. The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Premium undercuts it at $58,350, while the Toyota RAV4 Cruiser Hybrid AWD sits at $60,340 and Kia Sportage GT-Line Hybrid is $60,370.

However, Honda's pricing is drive-away and includes on-road costs, whereas those rivals do not. When you consider that, the pricing isn't that much different.

For the money, the RS presents as well-specified and you'll enjoy a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated electric front seats, heated outer rear seats, leather upholstery and a heated steering wheel. It covers the comfort brief without issue.

Where it loses a tiny bit of ground is in the tech. There’s a strong base with a 12-speaker Bose sound system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, built-in satellite navigation and a head-up display. But the 9.0-inch touchscreen feels undersized for a flagship in this segment, especially when rivals have moved to 12.3-inch (and above) displays as standard.

Practical touches are solid, with dual-zone climate control, four USB-C ports and a powered tailgate. However, the hybrid's switch to a tyre repair kit instead of a temporary spare is another area where competitors have the edge.

While the CR-V RS hybrid ticks plenty of boxes on paper, it doesn’t quite match the breadth of equipment offered elsewhere, though it remains competitive overall for the segment.

The JCW Countryman is an all-wheel-drive with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto transmission. It has a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine that produces up to 233kW of power and 400Nm of torque. This model has a 0-100km/h sprint time of just 5.4-seconds!

There are eight drive 'experience' modes you can choose from, comprising 'Core', 'Green', 'Go Kart' (very fun), 'Personal', 'Timeless', 'Vivid', 'Balance' and 'Trail'.

The CR-V RS hybrid is all-wheel drive and pairs a 2.0-litre four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine with two electric motors, delivering up to 135kW and 355Nm. Both figures are a bit lower than its Kia and Hyundai rivals, which both produce up to 173kW/367Nm, but for the most part, there’s enough punch for both city driving and longer highway runs.

The electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT) can get a bit vocal under load though, particularly on hills where it tends to hold higher revs.

For a performance SUV, the JCW Favoured has a lowish official combined (urban/extra-urban) fuel cycle figure of just 7.7L/100km and a large 54L fuel tank, giving you a theoretical driving range of up to 701km, which isn’t bad for such a little go-getter.

After doing a few bigger road trips this week, plus a long weekend in the city, my real-world usage has popped out at 7.9L/100km, which is excellent but expect it to be higher if you only do city driving.

The CR-V hybrid has a claimed combined fuel consumption of 5.7L/100km. Paired with a 57-litre fuel tank, that gives it a theoretical driving range of around 1000km, which is strong for a mid-size SUV.

In the real world, I saw 6.7L/100km over the week. That’s still a solid result, especially considering how much highway driving was involved, where hybrids typically aren’t at their most efficient.

Even if you don’t love the design, the power and performance of the turbo-petrol engine will win you over. It’s just pure unadulterated fun on the open road and in the city. You get a total hot-hatch experience, despite the Countryman being an SUV. 

The adaptive suspension feels a little stiff when you’re going over uneven road surfaces at higher speeds and road noise also creeps in, but around town this is a comfortable ride. 

Visibility is great, even in heavy rain with a child's car seat installed in the rear (we had a mix of weather on test). Thanks in no small part to the all-wheel drive system it felt sure-footed in the wet and I felt confident this car would do everything I asked of it.

The firm steering makes for a nimble on-road experience no matter the situation and you have gear-shifting paddles on the steering wheel.

There’s also a 'Boost' mode that wrangles the top performance out of the suspension, steering and engine for when you want more control.

You can park the Countryman just about anywhere and the 360-degree camera view system is excellent quality. It’s easy to park, even in small, tight car parks.

On the road, the RS hybrid has enough power to keep things moving, even on winding hills, though you do need to lean into the throttle to get the most out of it. The engine can sound quite strained under load, but it’s more noise than anything, with performance still holding up.

Through corners, it feels more dynamic than you might expect. The suspension and steering lean firm and responsive, which makes it a capable tourer. That said, road noise does creep into the cabin, particularly on longer drives, and takes a bit of the shine off.

To maximise energy recovery, you can switch from Drive to B mode to increase regenerative braking. It’s especially useful in stop-start traffic or on hilly roads, though it does mean you can’t use cruise control in this setting.

Around town, visibility and parking are made easier with a 360-degree camera. The image is clear, although the slight fish-eye effect takes a little getting used to. Once you’re familiar with it, though, it’s a straightforward car to manoeuvre.

The CR-V holds a four-star ANCAP safety rating from testing conducted in 2023. While that’s not class-leading, it’s backed by a solid list of safety equipment.

There are 10 airbags in total, including side chest airbags for both rows, which is a nice inclusion given many rivals reserve these for the front seats only. You do miss out on features like emergency call functionality and side exit assist, though.

The broader safety suite includes blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping aid, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, rear cross-traffic alert, a driver attention monitor and tyre pressure monitoring.

On the road, most of these systems operate unobtrusively. The adaptive cruise control can be a little slow to respond when accelerating, but otherwise it doesn’t interfere with everyday driving.

For families, there are two ISOFIX points and three top-tether anchor points in the rear. The RS also includes a forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking, which operates between 5.0 and 195km/h and can detect cars, pedestrians and cyclists.

The Countryman is offered with a five-year/unlimited km warranty which is pretty standard fare for a Euro model. You can pre-purchase a five year or up to 80,000km servicing plan for $2250, which is very competitive for the class.

Servicing intervals are condition based, so your Mini will tell you when it needs to visit the workshop.

The CR-V is covered by Honda’s five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, which is below average now for the segment. However, it can be extended by a further three years if you service exclusively through Honda.

Ownership costs are where it stands out positively. You get five years of complimentary roadside assistance, along with a capped-price servicing program where visits are just $199 each. That’s one of the more affordable offerings in this class. For context, the Toyota RAV4 comes in at $325 per service over the same period, followed by $458 for the Hyundai Tucson and $583 for the Kia Sportage.

Service intervals are set at every 12 months or 10,000km, whichever comes first.