MINI Countryman vs Hyundai Ioniq 9

The 2025 MINI Countryman was a charming blend of traditional and modern design elements. It featured iconic Mini characteristics such as 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 present as either a conservative crossover or a bespoke performance SUV. The interior was stylish, with a sense of quality that made it seem like a bargain amidst a sea of mundane crossovers. The Favoured style package added unique touches like Petrol Blue fabric made from recycled polyester and soothing ambient lighting, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal.

In contrast, the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 showcased a distinctive design that polarized opinions. Its aerodynamic shape, inspired by smooth pebbles and midcentury modern sofas, aimed to house seven passengers comfortably. The Ioniq 9's dimensions, slightly shorter than a Honda Pilot but with a longer wheelbase than a Chevy Tahoe, provided excellent interior volume. Despite its size, it achieved a 0.27 drag coefficient, making it more aerodynamic than larger SUVs. The design, while effective in space efficiency, was not universally considered beautiful, with a swooping roofline and a stubby rear end inspired by a ship's stern. The rear view, with LED taillights wrapping around the tail's circumference, was the most recognizable angle.

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, accelerating to 100 km/h in approximately 6.4 seconds. The Countryman offered different driving modes, including Core and Go Kart, which altered driving dynamics and the artificial engine sound. However, the vehicle lacked refinement, with a clunky DCT and a noisy ride. The steering had an on-centre dead spot, and the brakes were touchy and inconsistent. Despite these issues, the Countryman was fun to drive, especially in Go Kart mode, though its fuel economy was less impressive than expected.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 came with a 110.3-kWh battery pack on Hyundai's e-GMP platform. The base Essential trim featured a single rear-mounted 160-kW motor, delivering 215 horsepower, while other trims had dual-motor AWD systems with varying power outputs. The Preferred AWD produced 303 hp, and the Preferred AWD+ generated 422 hp. The Ioniq 9 impressed with its energy efficiency, often exceeding the estimated 500-kilometre range. Its chassis was softly sprung, providing a smooth ride but lacking cornering sophistication. The Ioniq 9 was exceptionally quiet, with active noise cancellation and sound-absorbing tires. It offered a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms for AWD models and supported fast charging options.

The 2025 MINI Countryman offered seating for four adults, with a snug but comfortable back seat. The front seats were comfortable, and the artificial leather felt upscale. Visibility was good, aided by oversized side mirrors and an excellent surround-view camera system. The Countryman provided 708 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,591 litres with the rear seats folded. Storage solutions were generous and quirky, in line with Mini's ethos.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 focused on family-SUV practicality, seating seven with a middle-row bench or six with captain's chairs in the Ultimate Calligraphy Package. It featured a sliding centre console and ample legroom, though the third row was tight for adults. The Ioniq 9 offered dual-zone climate control, air vents in all rows, and a heat pump. Cargo space was generous, with 620 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,462 litres with seats folded. The small front trunk was best for storing charging cables.

The 2025 MINI Countryman featured a 9.4-inch OLED touchscreen with Mini's latest operating system. It included cloud-based navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Harman Kardon audio system. However, the infotainment system was criticized for its complexity and lack of physical controls. An Intelligent Personal Assistant named Spike was inactive during testing, and the head-up display was helpful given the cluttered centre display.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 had dual 12.3-inch displays, similar to other Hyundai models. It offered SiriusXM, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a wireless charging pad. The charging pad struggled to keep up with high-demand devices, but the Ioniq 9 provided six USB-C ports for ample charging options. The test car's 14-speaker Bose audio system delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2025 MINI Countryman was well-equipped with safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. It also offered adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist in the Premier+ package. The Countryman was named a "Top Safety Pick" by the IIHS in 2024.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 had not yet been rated by NHTSA or IIHS but included a comprehensive suite of ADAS features. Standard equipment included collision avoidance, lane-guidance technologies, driver attention warning, and safe-exit assist. The Highway Driving Assist 2 provided supervised hands-free driving, and higher trims offered a surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor.