Mini Countryman vs Tesla Model 3

What's the difference?

VS
Mini Countryman
Mini Countryman

$49,990 - $77,990

2025 price

Tesla Model 3
Tesla Model 3

$44,800 - $79,800

2024 price

Summary

2025 Mini Countryman
2024 Tesla Model 3
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

  • Looks a bit dull
  • Steering too light
  • Still feels cheap inside
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.

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2024 Tesla Model 3 Summary

It is highly unusual to drive around in a bed, but that’s what it felt like we were being asked to do with the new and terribly exciting Tesla Model 3 Performance.

Tesla doesn’t do media launches, nor traditional marketing, so everything about this event was predictably peculiar, but when we were told this new car was causing so much excitement that we should pull a sheet over it every time we stopped, to avoid people photographing it, or touching it (“if someone tries, just politely ask them to stop” as we were advised) we hit peak weirdness.

Eventually, they did agree to pull the sheet off one and let us have a look at the most exciting car Tesla has ever made that’s not a Cybertruck

The Performance is the Model 3 Tesla engineers and designers always wanted to make. Clearly, it was going to be called the 'Ludicrous', because some staff kept stuffing up and calling it that. It’s a shame the name wasn’t used, but at least it still gets an 'Insane' mode.

They really wanted to go all out with the original Performance version, but “a guy called Elon” didn’t want to add all the complexity that required at the time - he was focused on quality issues and ramping up production - but this go around he has let them have their heads, and encouraged them to go hog wild.

That means an entirely new power unit at the rear, staggered 20-inch wheels for sportier turn-in, aerodynamic changes for more downforce and less lift, new seats and the fitting of active dampers to a Model 3 for the first time, to help provide proper, track-ready handling.

We set out into the embrace of the adoring Los Angeles public (truly, no city on Earth boasts so many Tesla owners, they are everywhere) to find out if all the fuss is worth it.

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Deep dive comparison

2025 Mini Countryman 2024 Tesla Model 3

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