2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS vs 2024 MINI Countryman

The 2024 MINI Countryman exuded a playful charm, staying true to its British roots with classic MINI styling elements. Its design featured an upright wraparound windshield, a floating roof reminiscent of a bimini top, and Union Jack taillights that proudly declared its heritage. Buyers had the option to customize their Countryman with various paint treatments for the body, roof, and mirror caps, along with multiple wheel designs. In Canada, the Countryman ALL4 lineup included the Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SE, and John Cooper Works models, each offering different drivetrain options. The Cooper models were equipped with a turbocharged three-cylinder engine, while the Cooper S and John Cooper Works variants boasted a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in varying power outputs. The Cooper SE was a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, providing 29 kilometres of electric range before switching to hybrid mode, achieving a combined fuel consumption of 8.0 L/100 km. Special editions like the Untamed Edition added unique features and styling elements to the Cooper S and SE ALL4 variants.

In contrast, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS showcased a more refined and luxurious design. The GLS 450 test vehicle featured stunning 22-inch AMG rims, a new silver four-louver grille design, and polished metal exterior accents that complemented its lustrous paint. Inside, the GLS 450 boasted a Bahia Brown over Black interior colour scheme with natural-grain Grey Oak trim, polished aluminum accents, and rich detailing that Mercedes interiors are known for. The GLS 450 was the entry-level model, powered by a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology. Higher trims like the GLS 580, AMG GLS 63, and Maybach GLS 600 offered twin-turbo V8 engines with varying power outputs. The GLS 450 came equipped with the AMG Line and Exclusive Trim Packages, Acoustic Comfort Package, leather upholstery, wood trim, and artificial leather covering the dashboard and door panels. In Canada, the GLS 450 started at $116,100, with destination charges and fees set by Mercedes-Benz Canada dealers.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered a range of performance options, with the John Cooper Works (JCW) model standing out as the most powerful. The JCW 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. MINI claimed the JCW could accelerate to 100 km/h in approximately 5 seconds. The Cooper S, with its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivered 189 horsepower and 206 lb-ft of torque, achieving a 0-100 km/h time of around 7.3 seconds. The Cooper S felt zippy and athletic, making it suitable for daily driving. The Countryman excelled in commuting and errand-running, though it wasn't designed for off-road adventures. The test vehicle's fuel consumption was rated at 9.1 L/100 km in combined driving, but it averaged 9.3 L/100 km during testing.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450, with its turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine and mild-hybrid technology, delivered 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds, providing smooth and seamless acceleration. The mild-hybrid system's integrated starter-generator added an instant 148 lb-ft of torque, enhancing the GLS 450's lively performance. A nine-speed automatic transmission and variable 4Matic all-wheel-drive system ensured power was efficiently distributed to all four wheels. The GLS 450 offered Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Individual driving modes, allowing drivers to tailor vehicle dynamics to their preferences. The SUV's maximum towing capacity was 3,500 kilograms, and its official fuel economy rating was 11.3 L/100 km in combined driving. During testing, it consumed 11.8 L/100 km. The GLS 450's adaptive air suspension and massive Continental Premium Contact tires contributed to its impressive handling and athleticism.

The 2024 MINI Countryman provided seating for four adults, with enough luggage space for a week-long road trip. The front seats were small but supportive, and the steering wheel was a pleasure to grip. While the Countryman had seatbelts for five, four passengers would be more comfortable. Rear legroom and foot space were adequate, but squeezing in a fifth person was challenging unless they were children. The Countryman's compact dimensions made parking easy, though it lacked advanced parking technologies like a surround-view camera. Interior storage was reasonable, but the smartphone charging pad blocked access to the tray beneath it. Cargo space measured 498 litres behind the rear seats, expandable to 1,348 litres with the seats folded down.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS offered a spacious and luxurious interior. The optional AMG Line package added sporty styling, but the side sill trim could be inconvenient when entering or exiting the SUV. The front seats were comfortable, with supple leather surfaces, heating, ventilation, and massage programs. The new steering wheel was enjoyable to grip, though its touch-sensing controls could be irritating. The GLS featured heated rear seats, four-zone automatic climate control, and a panoramic sunroof. The no-charge optional captain's chairs provided excellent thigh support, though they felt a bit low. Accessing the third-row seat was cumbersome, and space was snug for adults. Interior storage was decent, and cargo space was practical, with 355 litres behind the third row, 1,209 litres behind the second row, and a maximum of 2,400 litres behind the front seats.

The 2024 MINI Countryman wasn't a technology powerhouse, but it offered useful features. The test vehicle had a small digital instrumentation display and a head-up display (HUD) 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. It offered five interaction methods: touchscreen, volume and tuning controls, steering wheel controls, a control knob and buttons on the centre console, and voice recognition. While the system lacked Android Auto, it supported Apple CarPlay. The available 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system provided excellent audio quality.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS featured the latest MBUX infotainment system, with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. The system offered improved graphics and various instrumentation themes and modes. While MBUX was generally fast and easy to use, touch-sensitive areas on the steering wheel and centre console could cause unintentional changes to the displays. The system's intuitive touchscreen operation, natural voice recognition, and augmented reality navigation were highlights. The standard Burmester surround-sound system with Dolby Atmos technology delivered impressive audio quality.

The 2024 MINI Countryman had limited advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). It featured Active Driving Assistant, which included 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 also standard. Adaptive cruise control was available as an option. The Countryman lacked blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, and a surround-view camera system. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Countryman as Good in crashworthiness evaluations.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features. The advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) could be adjusted through MBUX, allowing drivers to customize settings and alerts. The forward-collision warning system, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist were effective and unobtrusive. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist systems handled various driving conditions smoothly. The GLS's ADAS performed well during testing, with only a minor issue with the lane-centring assist on a specific road. Overall, the GLS's safety technology was outstanding.