BMW M vs MINI Countryman

The MINI Countryman is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 98 mpg combined versus 26 mpg for the BMW M, a 72 mpg advantage and costs about $2,100 less per year to fuel.

Across 5 measured categories, the MINI Countryman leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.

2015–2027

BMW M

Subcompact Cars · 236 configurations

26mpg combined (best)
All BMW M specs

2015–2027

MINI Countryman

Midsize Cars · 75 configurations

98mpg combined (best)
All MINI Countryman specs

Head-to-head specifications

MetricBMW MMINI Countryman
Best combined MPG26 mpg98 mpg
Best city MPG23 mpg101 mpg
Best highway MPG32 mpg94 mpg
Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year$2,900$800
Lowest CO2 output264 g/mi175 g/mi
Engines offeredSIDI; PHEV, SIDI, SIDI; Mild HybridSIDI & PFI, SIDI, SIDI; PHEV, 1.6
TransmissionsAutomatic (S8), Manual 6-spd, Automatic (AM-S7)Automatic (A1), Automatic (AM-S7), Automatic (S8)
DrivetrainsAll-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel DriveAll-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel typesPremium and Electricity, PremiumElectricity, Premium, Premium and Electricity
EPA classSubcompact CarsMidsize Cars
Years covered2015–20272015–2027
Configurations on record23675

Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.

M vs Countryman: common questions

Which is better on gas, the BMW M or the MINI Countryman?

The MINI Countryman is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 98 mpg combined versus 26 mpg for the BMW M, a 72 mpg advantage and costs about $2,100 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 $2,900 for the BMW M — a difference of roughly $2,100 per year.

What engines do the M and Countryman offer?

BMW M: SIDI; PHEV, SIDI, SIDI; Mild Hybrid. MINI Countryman: SIDI & PFI, SIDI, SIDI; PHEV, 1.6.

Are they in the same vehicle class?

The EPA classifies the BMW M as Subcompact Cars and the MINI Countryman as Midsize Cars, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.

More M comparisons

Comparison id: bmw-m-vs-mini-countryman