2023 Dodge Durango vs 2024 MINI Countryman

The 2023 Dodge Durango, entering its 12th model year without a redesign, maintained a familiar yet attractive appearance. It eschewed the faux ruggedness of other brands, opting for clean, car-like styling. The Durango avoided oversized grilles, instead featuring slim styling with forward-leaning headlights and a large lower air intake, proving that SUVs can have presence without massive grilles. At the rear, Dodge's signature "racetrack" taillights provided a distinctive look. The muscular SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models had unique styling features, including a Viper-like hood with a functional centre air inlet and heat extractors, but these were subtle. The SRT models also had unique wheels and a different front fascia, but the shape remained similar to the standard front end. The rear fascia incorporated dual exhaust outlets on all but the base SXT grade.

The 2024 MINI Countryman, like all MINIs, didn't take itself too seriously. It featured classic MINI styling cues, an erect wraparound windshield design, and a floating roof reminiscent of a bimini top. The Countryman proudly displayed its British heritage with Union Jack taillights. It offered numerous paint, roof, and mirror cap treatments, along with multiple wheel designs. In Canada, the Countryman ALL4 lineup included Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SE, and John Cooper Works models, each with distinct drivetrains. The Cooper S and John Cooper Works versions used a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while the Cooper SE was a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. The Countryman offered various trim packages, including the Untamed Edition, which added unique features to the Cooper S and SE ALL4 variants. The interior was a singular experience, with jaunty styling and retro design, making it unmistakable among small SUVs.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered a range of powertrains, starting with the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, standard on the SXT, GT, and Citadel trims. This engine produced 293 horsepower (295 hp with dual exhaust) and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, all-wheel drive was standard. The 5.7-litre Hemi V8, standard on the R/T and optional on the Citadel, delivered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The Durango SRT 392 featured a 6.4-litre naturally-aspirated Hemi V8, producing 475 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in approximately 4.5 seconds. The SRT Hellcat, with a 6.2-litre supercharged V8, boasted 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0-100 km/h in about 3.5 seconds. The Hellcat's performance was exhilarating, with minimal wind and tire noise at highway speeds, and adaptive-damping suspension, Pirelli P Zero tires, and Brembo brakes ensuring power was manageable.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered various powertrains, with the John Cooper Works model standing out. It featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 301 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The JCW accelerated to 100 km/h in roughly 5 seconds. The Cooper S, with a turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivered 189 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in about 7.3 seconds. The Cooper S felt zippy and athletic, with peak torque arriving at just 1,350 rpm. The Countryman excelled in commuting and daily driving, though it wasn't an engaging canyon carver. The test vehicle averaged 9.3 L/100 km in combined driving, slightly above its Natural Resources Canada rating of 9.1 L/100 km.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered seven-seat or six-seat configurations, with two front bucket seats, a three-seat second-row bench, and a two-seat third-row bench standard on SXT, GT, and R/T models. The Citadel, SRT 392, and SRT Hellcat models featured second-row captain's chairs. Interior space was competitive with other three-row midsize SUVs, with headroom and legroom comparable to the Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Traverse, Hyundai Palisade/Kia Telluride twins, and Toyota Highlander. However, the Durango had less cargo space, with 487 litres behind the third row, 1,226 litres with the third row folded, and 2,409 litres behind the first row. Small-item storage was generous, with a large wireless charging pad and well-placed USB ports. The Durango had a maximum towing capability of 2,812 kilograms for V6 models and up to 3,946 kilograms for V8 models.

The 2024 MINI Countryman accommodated four adults comfortably, with supportive front seats and ample legroom in the rear. Though it had seatbelts for five, four passengers were more comfortable. The Countryman offered excellent outward visibility and easy parking, though it lacked a surround-view camera and rear cross-traffic alert. Interior storage was reasonable, but the smartphone charging pad blocked access to the tray beneath it. Cargo space was limited, with 498 litres behind the back seat and 1,348 litres with the rear seat folded. The 40/20/40-split folding back seat allowed for longer items without sacrificing rear passenger space.

The 2023 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto on lower trims, while the GT grade and above received a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Both versions used the Uconnect infotainment system, with the larger screen featuring the current Uconnect 5 system. The system was responsive and easy to use, with added personality in the form of Easter Eggs for SRT models. The SRT and SRT Hellcat models included the Performance Pages app, providing performance information on the main touchscreen. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available on higher trims.

The 2024 MINI Countryman wasn't a technology powerhouse, but it offered useful features. It had a small digital instrumentation display and a head-up display projecting information on a small screen. The 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system used a version of BMW's iDrive technology, with five ways to interact: touchscreen, volume and tuning controls, steering wheel controls, a control knob and buttons on the centre console, and voice recognition. The system was easy to navigate and use, though it lacked Android Auto, offering only Apple CarPlay. A 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system was available, providing excellent audio quality.

The 2023 Dodge Durango received mixed results in IIHS crash tests, with top "Good" marks in moderate front overlap, side, and roof strength tests, but a "Marginal" score in the driver-side small overlap front test. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall safety rating, with five stars in the side crash test and four stars in the frontal crash test. AWD versions received a three-star rollover resistance rating. Standard driver-assist tech included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, with optional forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking.

The 2024 MINI Countryman had limited advanced driver assistance systems. It included Active Driving Assistant, with 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 optional adaptive cruise control. The Countryman lacked blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, and a surround-view camera. The IIHS rated the Countryman "Good" in crashworthiness evaluations.