2025 MINI Countryman vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2025 MINI Countryman presented a charming blend of traditional Mini design elements and modern aesthetics. It featured wide-eyed headlights, a floating roof available in various colours, and vertical Union Jack taillights, all wrapped in contemporary sheet metal. Depending on the model and customization choices, the Countryman could appear as a conservative crossover or a performance-oriented SUV. The interior was stylish, with Vintage Brown artificial leather seats and a Petrol Blue fabric dashboard made from recycled polyester, offering a sense of quality and sophistication. Despite some reservations about the faint gold tint on the trim and wheels, the Countryman made a bold statement with its bright British Racing Green paint and 20-inch Windmill Spoke wheels.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE, on the other hand, offered a more subdued exterior design, with its egg-on-wheels styling accentuated by the test vehicle's white paint. However, the GLE Coupe's swoopy roofline improved the design significantly. Inside, the GLE 450 boasted an elegantly detailed cabin with matte-finish wood, metallic accents, and sophisticated digital displays. The interior was crafted with quality materials, providing a luxurious feel. The steering wheel was classy, and the separation of climate controls from the centre touchscreen was a thoughtful touch. Despite its bland exterior, the GLE's interior was a testament to luxury and comfort.

The 2025 MINI Countryman S was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 241 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The Countryman could accelerate to 100 km/h in approximately 6.4 seconds and had a towing capacity of 1,587 kilograms. The vehicle offered different driving modes, including Core and Go Kart, which altered the driving dynamics and engine sound. However, the Countryman lacked refinement, with a clunky dual-clutch transmission and a noisy ride on anything but smooth pavement. Despite these drawbacks, the Countryman was quick and nimble, providing an enjoyable driving experience on the right roads.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, generating 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Off-Road, and Individual. The GLE 450 had a towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms, making it suitable for off-roading and towing substantial loads. However, the standard suspension allowed too much unwanted body motion, affecting the driving experience. The steering was numb and overassisted in Comfort mode, and the brakes were grabby in typical driving situations. Despite these issues, the GLE was a comfortable long-distance road tripper with decent fuel economy.

The 2025 MINI Countryman offered seating for four adults, with comfortable front seats and good outward visibility. The back seat was snug but comfortable, with air vents, USB charging ports, and a panoramic sunroof enhancing passenger satisfaction. The Countryman provided 708 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,591 litres with the rear seats folded down. Storage solutions were generous and sometimes unusual, such as the funky storage box on the centre console.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured firm but comfortable front seats with heating and "energizing seat kinetics" to reduce fatigue. The back seat was roomy, with generous legroom and foot room, although the seating position was low relative to the windowsills. A third-row seat was available as an option, adding two extra chairs with USB-C charging ports. The GLE offered 943 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,120 litres with the rear seats folded down. The cargo area included a netted compartment, robust hooks, and a large spare tire under the load floor.

The 2025 MINI Countryman featured a 9.4-inch OLED touchscreen infotainment display with cloud-based navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Harman Kardon premium audio system provided excellent sound quality. However, the infotainment system was cluttered, and the Intelligent Personal Assistant was inactive during testing. The head-up display was helpful, providing information on upcoming turns and safety features.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE was equipped with the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, featuring a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. The system offered lush graphics, a biometric authentication system, and a digital voice assistant. The Exclusive Package added a Burmester surround-sound audio system and augmented-reality video for navigation. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with SiriusXM satellite radio and Mercedes Digital Extras.

The 2025 MINI Countryman was well-equipped with safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The adaptive cruise control system with stop-and-go capability was available in the Premier+ package. The Countryman received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS in 2024.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE's standard safety tech included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot monitoring. The Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control, lane keep and centring assist, and other advanced features. The GLE received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for 2025, but the NHTSA had not rated it at the time of writing.