2023 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2024 MINI Countryman

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a more conservative exterior design compared to some of Hyundai's recent models. While it maintained an attractive appearance, it lacked the standout looks of other vehicles in the brand's lineup. The SUV continued with the same design as the 2022 model, available in four trim levels in Canada, all featuring standard all-wheel drive. The U.S.-spec Ultimate Calligraphy trim, tested in a deep Stormy Sea paint, offered a distinctive look with wide grilles and thin LED headlights. Inside, the black leather interior of the Calligraphy trim was high-quality but dark, with Nappa leather seats providing comfort and style. The cabin's features included heated and cooled front seats and heated second-row seats, enhancing the overall driving experience.

In contrast, the 2024 MINI Countryman embraced its playful and classic MINI styling. It featured an erect wraparound windshield, a floating roof, and Union Jack taillights, proudly showcasing its British heritage. The Countryman offered various paint and design options, allowing for personalization. The Canadian lineup included several drivetrain options, with the Cooper S and John Cooper Works models providing more power. The test vehicle, a Cooper S, came with additional options, including the Premier+ 2.0 line and the Untamed Edition, which added unique features and styling elements. The Countryman's interior was a unique experience, with its retro design and comfortable seating, making it stand out among small SUVs.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged version delivering 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The turbocharged engine, available in the Urban and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, provided a significant performance boost, with immediate acceleration and smooth handling. The Santa Fe featured a drive-mode selector with four modes and push-button gears, adding a touch of sportiness. The turbocharged version excelled in acceleration and passing power, especially in Sport mode, without excessive engine noise. The Santa Fe's towing capacity varied, with the turbo version capable of towing up to 1,587 kg with trailer brakes.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered different powertrains, with the John Cooper Works model standing out with its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 301 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque. This model accelerated to 100 km/h in approximately 5 seconds. The Cooper S, with a turbo 2.0-litre engine generating 189 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, provided a zippy and athletic driving experience. The Countryman excelled in daily driving scenarios, with its quick acceleration and nimble handling. However, it wasn't designed for off-road adventures, and its fuel economy averaged 9.3 L/100 km during testing.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe prioritized spaciousness and comfort by offering a two-row configuration, resulting in ample rear-seat legroom of 1,060 millimetres and competitive cargo space of 1,032 litres behind the second row. Folding the rear seats expanded the cargo capacity to 2,041 litres. The Santa Fe's interior featured comfortable seating, with standard heated front seats and dual-zone climate control. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim added advanced features like a hands-free smart liftgate, a head-up display, and a panoramic sunroof. However, some drivers found the seating position and centre console design slightly restrictive.

The 2024 MINI Countryman accommodated four adults comfortably, with supportive front seats and sufficient rear legroom. While it had seatbelts for five, the rear seat was better suited for four passengers. The Countryman's compact dimensions made parking easy, though it lacked some advanced parking technologies. Interior storage was reasonable, but the smartphone charging pad obstructed access to the storage tray. Cargo space was limited, with 498 litres behind the rear seats and 1,348 litres with the seats folded. The 40/20/40-split folding back seat design allowed for flexibility in carrying longer items.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in technology, offering a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system in higher trims. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with customizable settings and voice recognition capabilities. However, the voice-recognition system had mixed results, particularly in noisy environments. The Santa Fe's advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) included features like forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and Highway Driving Assist, contributing to its high safety ratings.

The 2024 MINI Countryman featured an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with BMW's iDrive technology, offering multiple interaction methods, including a touchscreen, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. While the system was easy to navigate, it lacked Android Auto connectivity, providing only Apple CarPlay. The available 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system delivered excellent audio quality. The Countryman's technology offerings were practical, but not as extensive as those in the Santa Fe.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe boasted a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and a safe-exit assist system. It received top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, earning a five-star overall rating and a "Top Safety Pick+" designation. The Santa Fe's safety features provided peace of mind during testing, with reminders for rear-seat passengers and alerts for passing vehicles.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered basic safety features, such as forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. However, it lacked some advanced systems like blind-spot monitoring and lane-centring assist. The Countryman received Good ratings in IIHS crashworthiness evaluations, but its safety features were not as comprehensive as those in the Santa Fe.