Both the Countryman and the X1 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.
Compare the2026 MINI CountrymanVS 2026 BMW X1


Safety
Engine
The JCW Countryman’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 71 more horsepower (312 vs. 241) than the X1 xDrive28i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.
As tested in Consumer Reports the Countryman S is faster than the X1 xDrive28i:
|
|
Countryman |
X1 |
| Zero to 30 MPH |
2.9 sec |
3.2 sec |
| Zero to 60 MPH |
6.7 sec |
7.1 sec |
| 45 to 65 MPH Passing |
3.7 sec |
4 sec |
| Quarter Mile |
15.1 sec |
15.5 sec |
| Speed in 1/4 Mile |
98 MPH |
97 MPH |
Brakes and Stopping
The Countryman stops much shorter than the X1:
|
|
Countryman |
X1 |
|
| 60 to 0 MPH |
100 feet |
119 feet |
Motor Trend |
| 60 to 0 MPH (Wet) |
135 feet |
136 feet |
Consumer Reports |
Suspension and Handling
The JCW Countryman handles at .99 G’s, while the X1 xDrive28i pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.
The JCW Countryman executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the X1 xDrive28i (25.1 seconds @ .79 average G’s vs. 26.3 seconds @ .67 average G’s).
Payload
The Countryman has a higher standard payload capacity than the X1 (1089 vs. 994 lbs.).
The Countryman has a higher maximum payload capacity than the X1 (1100 vs. 994 lbs.).
Servicing Ease
J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in service department satisfaction. With a 12% lower rating, BMW is ranked 10th.
Ergonomics
The Countryman’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The X1 doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.
The Countryman has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the X1.
The Countryman offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the X1.
The Countryman’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The X1’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.
Economic Advantages
According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 MINI Countryman retains 54.12% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 49.64% resale value of the 2026 BMW X1 after five years, which can save the MINI’s owner up to $3707 in depreciation.
Recommendations
Consumer Reports® recommends both the MINI Countryman and the BMW X1, based on reliability, safety and performance.
