The Mini Countryman and BMW X1 are both based on the UKL2 platform and are locally assembled in India, with the exception of the top-spec Countryman JCW All4. For those not in the know, Mini is owned by BMW, and the Countryman is assembled at the German carmaker’s Chennai plant. Since both SUVs compete in the entry-level luxury SUV space, it will be interesting to see how their powertrain specs, size and pricing compare.
Mini Countryman vs BMW X1: Powertrains
In addition to the platform, the 1,499cc 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engine is common to the two models. However, in the Countryman C, it has been tuned to develop 20hp and 10Nm more than the X1. Those looking for a diesel will have to consider the X1, as the current-generation Countryman doesn’t offer that powertrain. For enthusiasts, the Countryman JCW All4 is the one to go for. With 300hp and 400Nm, the JCW makes double the power of the diesel BMW and more than double that of its petrol counterpart. It also boasts the best 0-100kph sprint time of 5.4 seconds and a 250kph top speed, both significantly higher than the rest. Additionally, it stands out with its all-wheel-drive setup; notably, the X1 is now front-wheel drive instead of rear-wheel drive. A dual-clutch transmission is standard across the board, including the X1 diesel.
An area where the X1 diesel is way ahead of the turbo-petrol SUVs is its claimed mileage figure, rated at 20.37kpl. That is about 5kpl more than the others. The All4, despite its performance focus, isn’t far behind in terms of fuel efficiency compared to the Countryman C and X1 petrol.
Mini Countryman vs BMW X1: Dimensions
The BMW X1 is the larger SUV overall. At 4,500mm, it’s 53mm longer than the Countryman and marginally wider by 2mm. The Countryman, however, has the advantage in height over the X1 – 31mm for the Countryman C and 15mm for the JCW All4.
The Countryman also offers higher ground clearance of 190mm, which is 7mm more than the X1’s, and rides on larger 19-inch wheels compared to the BMW’s 18-inch units. Boot space is another area where the Mini holds an advantage. The Countryman C offers 505 litres of luggage capacity, which is 29 litres more than the X1’s 476 litres. Even the Countryman JCW All4, with its 500-litre boot, offers 24 litres more space than the BMW.
Mini Countryman vs BMW X1: Price
Things get even more interesting when prices come into the picture. Despite being locally assembled and getting an engine in a higher state of tune, the Mini Countryman C is priced Rs 3.4 lakh lower than the BMW X1 petrol, making it the stronger value proposition at the entry level. Meanwhile, the X1 diesel stands out with its superior fuel efficiency.
At the top end, the fully imported Countryman JCW All4 is priced at Rs 66.15 lakh, making it up to Rs 15.25 lakh more expensive than the X1 range. It also commands a Rs 18.65 lakh premium over the locally assembled Countryman C. That premium, however, brings a significant jump in performance. The JCW All4 offers substantially higher power and torque outputs, along with much quicker acceleration.
Each of these SUVs cater to different buyers and needs: the Countryman C for value, the X1 diesel for efficiency, and the JCW All4 for outright performance.
Dipan Sur
Saptarshi Mondal
Viraaj Bhatnagar
