2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2024 MINI Countryman

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a styling refresh that enhanced its original design, dating back to the 2013 Volkswagen CrossBlue concept. New lighting elements, including light-up VW logos similar to those on the ID.4 electric crossover, were added. The front logo illuminated in white, while the rear shone red. A front light bar connected to the daytime running lights, part of the new LED headlights, gave the Atlas a fresh "face" with American swagger. At the rear, the taillights blended into a full-width light bar housing the illuminated logo. New wheel designs were introduced across all trim levels, with sizes ranging from 18 to 21 inches. The Atlas Peak Edition added an outdoorsy flavour with black wheels, all-terrain tires, and unique colours like Avocado Green and Pure Grey. Inside, the cabin featured a revised centre with a freestanding infotainment touchscreen and a minimalist shifter, creating more functional space. The interior aimed for an upscale feel with improved fake wood trim and available leather upholstery, though some materials felt more suited to a base model.

The 2024 MINI Countryman retained its classic MINI styling with an erect wraparound windshield, floating roof, and Union Jack taillights. It offered various paint and wheel design options, allowing for personalization. In Canada, the lineup included Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SE, and John Cooper Works models, each with distinct powertrains. The Cooper SE was a plug-in hybrid with a 29-kilometre electric range. Special editions like the Untamed Edition added unique features and styling elements. Our test car, a Cooper S, came with additional options, bringing the price to $53,456. The Premier+ 2.0 line added features like power folding mirrors and a head-up display, while the Untamed Edition included unique wheels and interior enhancements. The Countryman's interior offered a singular experience with its retro design, though it lacked some advanced technologies.

For 2024, the Volkswagen Atlas reduced its powertrain options to a single 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, producing 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine, part of VW's EA888 series, was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The Atlas accelerated to 100 km/h in about 8.5 seconds, thanks to the additional torque over the previous VR6 engine. While not a performance vehicle, the Atlas focused on comfort and practicality, with a smooth but noisy engine. The Peak Edition added off-road features, but the 4Motion AWD system was primarily designed for pavement. The Atlas maintained a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms.

The MINI Countryman offered various powertrains, with the John Cooper Works model standing out for its performance. It featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 301 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque, reaching 100 km/h in about 5 seconds. The Cooper S, with 189 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, provided a zippy and athletic drive, achieving 100 km/h in roughly 7.3 seconds. The Countryman excelled in daily driving scenarios, though it wasn't suited for off-road adventures. Fuel economy was reasonable, with a combined rating of 9.1 litres per 100 kilometres, though our test averaged 9.3 L/100 km.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas offered seating for seven, with a flexible second-row bench that could accommodate three child seats. Optional captain's chairs reduced capacity to six. The Atlas provided competitive headroom and legroom across all rows, with the third row offering the best legroom in its class. Cargo space was generous, with up to 2,735 litres available when the second and third rows were folded.

The MINI Countryman accommodated four adults comfortably, with supportive front seats and ample rear legroom. While it technically seated five, the rear was best for four. Visibility was excellent, and the compact dimensions made parking easy. Interior storage was reasonable, though the smartphone charging pad blocked access to some areas. Cargo space was limited, with 498 litres behind the rear seats and 1,348 litres with the seats folded.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas came with a 12-inch touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster as standard, along with wireless phone charging and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The Harman Kardon premium audio system was available on higher trims. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though haptic touchpads for controls were less intuitive.

The MINI Countryman featured an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system using BMW's iDrive technology. It offered multiple interaction methods, including touchscreen, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. However, it lacked Android Auto, providing only Apple CarPlay. A 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system was available, offering excellent audio quality.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with standard features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Execline trim added park assist and a surround-view camera system. Emergency features included automatic post-collision braking and a crash response system.

The MINI Countryman offered basic safety features, including forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Adaptive cruise control was optional, but it lacked advanced systems like blind-spot monitoring. The IIHS rated it "Good" in crashworthiness evaluations.