2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2024 MINI Countryman

The 2024 MINI Countryman retained its playful and distinctive design, characterized by classic MINI styling cues such as the erect wraparound windshield and floating roof. It proudly showcased its British heritage with Union Jack taillights. Buyers had the option to customize their Countryman with various paint treatments, roof, and mirror cap colours, as well as multiple wheel designs. In Canada, the Countryman ALL4 lineup included Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SE, and John Cooper Works models, each with different drivetrain options. The Cooper models featured a turbocharged three-cylinder engine, while the Cooper S and John Cooper Works versions boasted a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in varying states of tune. The Cooper SE was a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle offering a modest 29 kilometres of electric driving range before switching to gas-electric hybrid operation. Special editions like the Untamed Edition added unique features and styling elements to the Cooper S and SE ALL4 variants.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC, a best-selling model in North America, underwent a generational redesign that maintained a familiar appearance to avoid alienating its loyal fanbase. The new GLC SUV featured updated taillights and a revised rear-end design, while the GLC Coupe retained its steeply sloping profile. The GLC's interior exuded luxury, with sumptuous materials and a driver-focused layout. The Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 SUV test car showcased two-tone Sienna Brown and Black leather upholstery, an optional wood-and-metal dash treatment, and an array of screens, buttons, and ambient lighting. The GLC's interior was gadget-heavy, offering a class-leading experience for those who appreciated advanced technology and luxury.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered a range of performance options, with the John Cooper Works (JCW) model standing out as the most powerful. 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 could accelerate to 100 km/h in approximately 5 seconds, making it the choice for speed enthusiasts. The Cooper S, with its 189 horsepower and 206 lb-ft of torque, provided a zippy and athletic driving experience, reaching 100 km/h in about 7.3 seconds. The Countryman excelled in daily commuting and errand-running, though it wasn't designed for off-road adventures. Fuel economy was reasonable, with a combined rating of 9.1 litres per 100 kilometres, although real-world testing showed slightly higher consumption.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC 43 featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine from AMG, delivering an impressive 416 horsepower, surpassing the previous generation's twin-turbocharged V6. The GLC 43's performance was enhanced by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system and a nine-speed AMG Speedshift MCT transmission, offering faster shifts and improved torque handling. The base GLC 300, with 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, provided a solid performance for its class. In Canada, all GLC models came with 4Matic all-wheel drive. The GLC 43's performance suspension and four-wheel steering contributed to its sporty nature, though the ride was firmer than some might prefer for daily driving.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered seating for four adults, with supportive front seats and ample legroom in the rear. While it had seatbelts for five, squeezing in a fifth passenger was challenging unless they were children. The Countryman's compact dimensions made it easy to park, though it lacked advanced parking technologies like a surround-view camera. Interior storage was reasonable, but the smartphone charging pad obstructed access to the tray beneath it. Cargo space was limited, with 498 litres behind the rear seats and 1,348 litres with the seats folded down. The Cooper SE PHEV model had slightly smaller cargo measurements.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured a driver-biased cabin layout, with controls and displays angled toward the driver. The GLC offered 620 litres of cargo space, expanding to 1,680 litres with the rear seats folded flat. The GLC Coupe had a tighter interior, with 545 litres of cargo volume and 1,490 litres with the seats down. The GLC's interior was well-appointed, with standard heated and memory front seats, and optional features like front-seat ventilation and heated rear seats. The power-folding rear seats added convenience to the GLC's practicality.

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, housed in a round casing reminiscent of classic MINI speedometers, used BMW's iDrive technology. Users could interact with the system through various methods, including touchscreen, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. While the system lacked Android Auto, it supported Apple CarPlay. An optional 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system provided excellent audio quality.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC's cockpit centred around an 11.9-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen running the third-generation MBUX infotainment system. The system featured a highly responsive voice command system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and available navigation and a 15-speaker Burmester 3D surround sound system. Additional features included an off-road dash display with a "Transparent Hood" feature, a head-up display, augmented reality navigation, and extra USB-C ports. The GLC's technology offerings were comprehensive and user-friendly.

The 2024 MINI Countryman had limited advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), with Active Driving Assistant providing 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, while adaptive cruise control was optional. The Countryman lacked features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Countryman as "Good" in crashworthiness evaluations.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, with an "Acceptable" rating for the standard front crash-prevention system. Standard safety features included active brake assist, attention assist, blind-spot and exit warning assist, adaptive braking technology, and active parking assist. The Pre-Safe system prepared the vehicle for an imminent crash by tightening seatbelts and closing windows. Optional advanced driver-assistance systems included adaptive cruise control and active lane-keeping assist.