Compare the2025 Mazda CX-5VS 2025 MINI Countryman

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mazda CX-5 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The MINI Countryman doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The CX-5 has standard Whiplash-Reducing Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Countryman doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Mazda CX-5 achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The MINI Countryman has not been tested.

Both the CX-5 and the Countryman have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

Mazda’s powertrain warranty covers the CX-5 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than MINI covers the Countryman. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Countryman ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 5 times as many Mazda dealers as there are MINI dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CX-5’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the CX-5’s reliability 24 points higher than the Countryman.

The CX-5’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 25 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 295) than the JCW Countryman’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the CX-5 with its standard engine gets better fuel mileage than the JCW Countryman 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder (26 city/30 hwy vs. 23 city/30 hwy).

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CX-5 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The Countryman doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mazda CX-5 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The JCW Countryman requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The CX-5 has a gallon more fuel capacity than the Countryman (15.3 vs. 14.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better maneuverability, the CX-5’s turning circle is 2.1 feet tighter than the Countryman S’ (36 feet vs. 38.1 feet). The CX-5’s turning circle is 2.7 feet tighter than the JCW Countryman’s (36 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

The CX-5 has .6 inches more front legroom, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room and 2.6 inches more rear legroom than the Countryman.

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Countryman with its rear seat up (29.1 vs. 25 cubic feet). The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Countryman with its rear seat folded (59.3 vs. 56.2 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the CX-5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Countryman doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

While the Countryman JCW is not recommended to tow, any CX-5 can tow a minimum of 2000 pounds.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the CX-5 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Countryman only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Countryman’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The CX-5 Premium/Turbo’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the CX-5 has standard extendable sun visors. The Countryman doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Both the CX-5 and the Countryman offer available heated front seats. The CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo Premium/Turbo Signature also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Countryman.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Countryman doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Compared to the MINI Countryman, the Mazda CX-5 eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mazda CX-5 and the MINI Countryman, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the MINI Countryman by almost 12 to one during 2024.