BMW 3 Series vs MINI Countryman
The MINI Countryman is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 98 mpg combined versus 36 mpg for the BMW 3 Series, a 62 mpg advantage and costs about $1,400 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the MINI Countryman leads in 4. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2027
MINI Countryman
Midsize Cars · 75 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | BMW 3 Series | MINI Countryman |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 36 mpg | 98 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 31 mpg | 101 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 43 mpg | 94 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,200 | $800 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 158 g/mi ✓ | 175 g/mi |
| Engines offered | SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI, SIDI; PHEV, SIDI; Mild Hybrid | SIDI & PFI, SIDI, SIDI; PHEV, 1.6 |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S8), Manual 6-spd | Automatic (A1), Automatic (AM-S7), Automatic (S8) |
| Drivetrains | Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium, Premium and Electricity, Diesel | Electricity, Premium, Premium and Electricity |
| EPA class | Compact Cars | Midsize Cars |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2015–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 105 | 75 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
3 Series vs Countryman: common questions
Which is better on gas, the BMW 3 Series or the MINI Countryman?
The MINI Countryman is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 98 mpg combined versus 36 mpg for the BMW 3 Series, a 62 mpg advantage and costs about $1,400 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the MINI Countryman runs about $800 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,200 for the BMW 3 Series — a difference of roughly $1,400 per year.
What engines do the 3 Series and Countryman offer?
BMW 3 Series: SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI, SIDI; PHEV, SIDI; Mild Hybrid. MINI Countryman: SIDI & PFI, SIDI, SIDI; PHEV, 1.6.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the BMW 3 Series as Compact Cars and the MINI Countryman as Midsize Cars, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More 3 Series comparisons
Comparison id: bmw-3-series-vs-mini-countryman