Mini Countryman C vs rivals: Price and specifications compared 

With the launch of the Countryman C, Mini has re-entered the entry-level luxury SUV space. But how does the ‘largest’ Mini stack up against alternatives such as the BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA and Audi Q3?

Mini Countryman C vs rivals: Dimensions

Countryman C is the tallest and has the highest ground clearance

While all SUVs have comparable dimensions, the BMW X1 is the longest, the Countryman C is the tallest, and both offer 190mm ground clearance – the highest in this comparison. Though the GLA has the least length, width and boot space, it gets the longest wheelbase. The Q3, which is the widest and has the biggest boot, rides the lowest off the ground. The X1 and Q3 have smaller 18-inch wheels, while the Countryman C gets larger 19-inch rims; the GLA is the only SUV to offer both sizes, depending on the variant.

Mini Countryman C vs rivals: Powertrain options 

Only the X1 and GLA offer both petrol and diesel engines

The Countryman C and Q3 are petrol-only offerings, but the X1 and GLA are available with the choice of diesel as well. Among petrol versions, the Audi is the most powerful and the only one here to offer AWD as standard, while the X1 is the least. Even in diesel guise, the X1 churns out lower power than the GLA diesel. Interestingly, the Countryman C shares its underpinnings and petrol engine with the X1, but its mill is in a higher state of tune. 

Mini Countryman C vs rivals: Price

The Mini is the second most affordable in the segment 

Among the petrol offerings, the Q3 is the most affordable at the base level but also the most expensive in its top-spec guise. The Countryman is the second most affordable here. Between the diesel X1 and GLA, the latter is the pricier model.