MINI Countryman vs Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid was reminiscent of a pair of "dad jeans"—practical and offering great value, yet lacking modern flair. Despite a refresh in 2021, its design appeared outdated compared to newer crossovers like the Hyundai Palisade or Kia Sorento. The Santa Fe's exterior featured a squared grille and flush-mounted headlights, but its silhouette seemed too soft for a contemporary SUV. Its dimensions placed it awkwardly between compact and three-row crossovers, resulting in a two-row midsize SUV with a spacious trunk but a somewhat frumpy appearance. Inside, the Santa Fe Hybrid prioritized function over style, with a centre console filled with physical buttons and knobs, making it easy to use but not particularly stylish.

In contrast, the 2024 MINI Countryman embraced its playful nature with classic MINI styling cues, including a wraparound windshield and Union Jack taillights. It offered a variety of paint and wheel options, allowing for personalization. The Countryman ALL4 lineup in Canada included various drivetrain options, with the Cooper S and John Cooper Works models standing out for their performance. The interior provided a unique experience, with supportive front seats and ample legroom for four adults. However, cargo space was limited, and some advanced driver assistance systems were absent. The MINI's retro design and compact dimensions made it easy to park and maneuver, adding to its charm.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid delivered a balanced blend of performance and efficiency with its 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 44.2-kW electric motor, producing a combined 226 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. It achieved impressive fuel economy ratings of 7.1 L/100 km in the city, 7.9 on the highway, and 7.4 combined. The hybrid's power was managed through a six-speed automatic transmission, and its HTRAC AWD system provided flexibility in power distribution. While not the quickest, the Santa Fe Hybrid offered a quiet and comfortable ride, with noise insulation and a compliant suspension that absorbed road imperfections effectively.

The 2024 MINI Countryman, particularly in the John Cooper Works variant, boasted a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine generating 301 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque, allowing it to sprint to 100 km/h in about 5 seconds. The Cooper S model, with 189 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, provided a zippy and athletic driving experience, reaching 100 km/h in approximately 7.3 seconds. The Countryman excelled in daily driving scenarios, offering a dynamic driving rhythm on twisty roads. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, with a combined rating of 9.1 L/100 km, slightly higher than expected during testing.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid featured a shift-by-wire, push-button transmission, freeing up space below the centre stack. However, the stack itself remained large, with limited storage space. Rear passengers enjoyed a panoramic sunroof and ample legroom, while the cargo area offered 1,032 litres behind the second row, expanding to 2,041 litres with the seats folded. The interior included heated and ventilated front seats with leatherette upholstery, providing comfort for all occupants.

Inside the 2024 MINI Countryman, there was room for four adults and their luggage for a week-long trip. The front seats were supportive, and the steering wheel was a pleasure to grip. While the Countryman had seatbelts for five, it was more comfortable for four. Visibility was excellent, and the compact dimensions made parking easy. Interior storage was reasonable, but 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 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid came equipped with a 10.25-inch touchscreen featuring onboard navigation, Bluetooth, OTA map updates, and dynamic voice recognition. It supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, though both required a wired connection. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster provided essential driving information. However, the 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was not available in Canada.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered 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 with multiple interaction methods. While the system lacked Android Auto, it supported Apple CarPlay. A 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system was available, enhancing the audio experience.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid prioritized safety with features like adaptive cruise control, forward collision avoidance, lane keep assist, and more. However, the surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor were not available in Canada. The Santa Fe Hybrid received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS, highlighting its commitment to passenger safety.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered limited advanced driver assistance systems, with Active Driving Assistant providing forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and more. Adaptive cruise control was optional, but features like blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist were absent. The Countryman earned a Good rating in IIHS crashworthiness evaluations, though some testing procedures were incomplete.