2025 Lincoln Aviator vs 2024 MINI Countryman

The 2024 MINI Countryman exuded a playful charm, staying true to its British roots with classic MINI styling cues. Its erect wraparound windshield, floating roof reminiscent of a bimini top, and Union Jack taillights made it stand out. The Countryman offered a variety of paint, roof, and mirror cap treatments, along with multiple wheel designs, allowing for a personalized touch. In Canada, the Countryman ALL4 lineup included the Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SE, and John Cooper Works models, each with distinct drivetrains. The Cooper models featured a turbocharged three-cylinder engine, while the Cooper S and John Cooper Works boasted a more powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The Cooper SE was a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, offering a modest 29 kilometres of electric range before switching to hybrid mode. Special editions like the Untamed Edition added unique features and styling elements, enhancing the Countryman's appeal.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator, built on a rear-wheel-drive platform shared with the Ford Explorer, showcased classic design proportions with a blunt nose, short front overhang, and a tapered roofline. While the 2025 styling appeared less elegant than before, the Aviator maintained a sports wagon-like allure. Inside, the Aviator offered a plush interior with a classic architectural sensibility, avoiding the screen-heavy approach of other Lincoln models. However, the remote keyless entry fob felt cheap, contrasting with the Aviator's otherwise luxurious feel. In Canada, the Aviator was available in Premiere and Reserve trims, with our test vehicle featuring the Reserve trim and additional option packages. The Reserve 201A package added numerous desirable features, including upgraded lighting, 30-way-adjustable front seats with massage, and a high-end audio system, enhancing the Aviator's luxury appeal.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered a range of performance options, with the John Cooper Works model standing out for its speed and power. Equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, it delivered 301 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque, reaching 100 km/h in approximately 5 seconds. The Cooper S, with its 189 horsepower and 206 lb-ft of torque, provided a zippy and athletic driving experience, achieving 100 km/h in about 7.3 seconds. Despite its sporty nature, the Countryman excelled in daily commuting and errand-running, though it wasn't suited for off-road adventures. Fuel economy was a consideration, with a rating of 9.1 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, though our test averaged 9.3 L/100 km.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator featured a robust twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. This power was delivered through a 10-speed automatic transmission, providing ample acceleration and swift passing capabilities. Drivers could choose from various driving modes, including Excite and Normal, with the optional adaptive air suspension enhancing ride quality. However, the Aviator's performance wasn't particularly thrilling, focusing more on comfort and composure. Fuel economy was rated at 11.9 litres per 100 kilometres, though our test observed 13.3 L/100 km. The Aviator excelled in offering clear sightlines and a quiet interior, though the ride quality suffered on rough roads due to its large wheels and thin tires.

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 delight to grip. While the Countryman had seatbelts for five, four passengers were more comfortable. Rear legroom and foot space were adequate, though squeezing in a fifth person was challenging. Visibility was excellent, and the Countryman's compact dimensions made parking easy. Interior storage was reasonable, though 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 seats folded.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator offered luxurious comfort with its Perfect Position front seats, featuring 30-way adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs were roomy and supportive, though lacking massage features. The third-row seat was less accommodating, with limited legroom and low cushions. Storage space was excellent, with a smartphone charging pad, cupholders, and a sizeable bin under the armrest. The Aviator provided 466 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,131 litres with the seats folded, and a maximum of 2,149 litres.

The 2024 MINI Countryman featured 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, used BMW's iDrive technology, offering five interaction methods. While lacking Android Auto, it provided Apple CarPlay and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. The system was easy to navigate, with accurate voice recognition.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator boasted a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system powered by Lincoln Digital Experience. It included Google Built-in, Alexa Built-in, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the Google Assistant struggled with voice prompts, though Apple CarPlay and Siri worked well. The Aviator featured an app called Elevated Journey, offering mindfulness coaching. The 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D sound system provided excellent audio quality, and the head-up display offered comprehensive data.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered limited advanced driver assistance systems, with Active Driving Assistant providing forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. It lacked features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Countryman earned Good ratings in IIHS crashworthiness evaluations.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator included the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0 suite, featuring active blind-spot monitoring, intersection assist, and reverse braking assist. Adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist were standard, with BlueCruise offering hands-free driving on approved highways. The Aviator earned five-star ratings from NHTSA and Good ratings from IIHS, indicating strong safety performance.