Compact SUVs might fall into one general category, but there’s surprising diversity among the dozen-plus players in the segment. Take the 2025 Mini Countryman and 2025 Mazda CX-50, for example. Both offer the practicality buyers seek in a compact SUV, yet each also has its own special sauce that makes owning and driving one something to be enjoyed rather than merely endured.
Here’s how the Mini Countryman and Mazda CX-50 compare to each other.
2025 Mini Countryman
Known as the “big” Mini, the Countryman is the SUV of Minis. It brings sport utility vehicle traits like flexible cargo space, a higher riding and seating position, and all-wheel drive (AWD). Yet the Countryman is still a Mini, so it also boasts the British brand’s inherent charm, style, and zippy driving manners.
The Countryman enters a new generation for 2025, and this all-new version looks and feels more premium than ever. It has sleeker style, fresh technology, and standard all-wheel drive. It’s also available as an all-electric model, called the Mini Countryman SE All4. Here we focus on the gas model.
Mini Countryman Highlights
Charming fun: Let’s be honest — most cars are often thought of as mere appliances to take their owner from Point A to Point B. Minis are different. They have outgoing personalities and a whimsical style. They are fun to drive and definitely counterculture. These traits extend to the Countryman, arguably the most practical of Mini models.
Frisky fun: A base 2025 Countryman has 241 horsepower and can dash to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds. Move up to the high-performance JCW Countryman, and you get 312 hp and a naught-to-60 time of just 5.2 seconds. See? Fun!
Tech fun: Yes, the Mini’s charm extends to its cabin. It always has. For example, the massive round speedometer of yore in the middle of the dash is now, well, a massive round touchscreen. Mini boasts that it’s the world’s first 9.4-inch round OLED display.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Countryman models for sale near you.
2025 Mazda CX-50
Mazda has long made an athletic, more road-oriented compact SUV, the CX-5. Two years ago, the brand introduced a brother to that model — the rugged, more adventurous CX-50. The CX-50 looks a bit brawnier than the CX-5 and is better equipped for mud and snow, yet it retains the agile handling for which Mazda is known. An optional turbocharged engine makes it more powerful than most compact SUVs outside the luxury class, and for the 2025 model year, the CX-50 is also available as a fuel-efficient hybrid.
Mazda CX-50 Highlights
Standard all-wheel drive: All-wheel drive means power goes to all four wheels, which means enhanced traction, just as with the Mini Countryman. This can reap benefits in all manner of conditions and roads, from enabling better traction in the snow to having better grip climbing up and down dirt trails.
Sporty handling: We really love that even though the CX-50 is more off-road-oriented, it still has that essential Mazda drive quality. And by that we mean it boasts athletic, fun-to-drive on-road manners, similar to the Mini Countryman. It’s like the best of both worlds.
Full safety and driver-assist suite: The Mazda CX-50 comes standard with a full suite of safety and driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the CX-50 models for sale near you.
Similarities
Both of these compact SUVs have all-wheel drive standard, premium style, decent cargo space, and fun handling.
Pricing
New 2025 MINI Countryman Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$40,075
|
$38,219
|
|||
|
$46,375
|
$43,541
|
|||
|
$48,075
|
$46,392
|
New 2025 MAZDA CX-50 Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$31,920
|
$30,697
|
|||
|
$33,270
|
$31,709
|
|||
|
$35,620
|
$33,913
|
|||
|
$39,120
|
$37,519
|
|||
|
$42,420
|
$40,515
|
|||
|
$42,920
|
$41,164
|
|||
|
$44,920
|
$43,118
|
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors.
The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 MINI Countryman vehicles and New 2025 MAZDA CX-50 vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership.
These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 MINI Countryman | 2025 MAZDA CX-50 | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder |
| Towing Capacity | N/A | 2,000 pounds |
| Horsepower | 241 hp @ 4,500 rpm | 187 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft @ 1,500 rpm | 185 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm |
| Transmission | automatic, 7-speed dual-clutch | automatic, 6-speed skyactiv-drive sport w/manual mode |
| Fuel Economy | 24 city/32 highway/27 combined mpg | 25 city/31 highway/28 combined mpg |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | Not rated | Not rated |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 106 inches | 110.8 inches |
| Overall Length | 174.9 inches | 185.8 inches |
| Width | 81.5 inches | 80.8 inches |
| Height | 65.2 inches | 63.5 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.1 feet | 39.0 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.7 inches | 39.1 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 37.8 inches | 38.6 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 40.4 inches | 41.7 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 37.0 inches | 39.8 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 55.7 inches | 55.9 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 54.8 inches | 53.6 inches |
| Cargo Behind Second Seat | N/A | 31.4 feet |
| Cargo With All Seats Down | N/A | 56.3 feet |
Specification table reflects the typical configuration of vehicles shown.
Conclusion
As with all Mini models, the Countryman appeals to a certain subset of buyers seeking a fun vehicle outside the mainstream. It costs more and is highly enjoyable to drive and experience, but owners find its intrinsic charm is worth it. A wider set of buyers will choose the Mazda CX-50, which is also fun to drive, yet more practical, quite a bit less expensive, has more trims to choose from, and has more room in the back seat. Which is better for you? Weigh the differences and your budget, then test drive each to see which makes your heart flutter.