Mini Countryman vs Smart 1

What's the difference?

VS
Mini Countryman
Mini Countryman

$49,990 - $77,990

2025 price

Smart 1
Smart 1

2024 price

Summary

2025 Mini Countryman
2024 Smart 1
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Inline 4, 2.0L

Not Applicable, 0.0L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

Electric
Fuel Efficiency
7.7L/100km (combined)

0.0L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Lacking a few features for a top-grade model
  • An expensive endeavour for a Mini
  • Not much separates the two trim levels

  • Complex multimedia tech
  • Brabus not a truly engaging sports car
  • Limited warranty
2025 Mini Countryman Summary

The Mini Countryman is the not-so-mini cousin to the iconic and smaller Mini Cooper.

The new generation offers a larger body-size, fun new interiors and a whole suite of updated technology.

We're in the flagship John Cooper Works grade in Favoured trim to find out if this small SUV is still urban-friendly and fun after all of these changes.

View full pricing & specs
2024 Smart 1 Summary

Another day, another China-backed EV brand launches in Australia. This one, though, should be at least be vaguely familiar, with Smart having previously operated in Australia about 15 years ago, back when it was a Mercedes-Benz sub-brand rocking the tiny and clever Smart ForTwo and ForFour.

Mercedes is still involved, though now as a 50/50 joint venture partner with Chinese giant Geely, though the new Smart family is not being delivered by either company, and are actually being distributed by Mercedes’ biggest global dealer group, LSH Auto.

All of which is a load of information you don’t really need. But you should know, as a result of all that, the brand is promising a fleet of semi-premium EVs designed in Germany and built in China, with the Smart #1 the first to touch down in Australia.

Oh, and they pronounce the “hashtag” part of the model name, but I just can’t see that strategy becoming part of the Australian lexicon.

Anyway, part-Chinese, part-German and all electric. So should the #1 be on your EV shopping list?

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Deep dive comparison

2025 Mini Countryman 2024 Smart 1

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