Volkswagen Golf/GTI vs MINI Countryman
The Volkswagen Golf/GTI is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 119 mpg combined versus 98 mpg for the MINI Countryman, a 21 mpg advantage and costs about $150 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Volkswagen Golf/GTI leads in 4. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2026
Volkswagen Golf/GTI
Compact Cars · 84 configurations
2015–2027
MINI Countryman
Midsize Cars · 75 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Volkswagen Golf/GTI | MINI Countryman |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 119 mpg ✓ | 98 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 126 mpg ✓ | 101 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 111 mpg ✓ | 94 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $650 ✓ | $800 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 267 g/mi | 175 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI, 2.0 | SIDI & PFI, SIDI, SIDI; PHEV, 1.6 |
| Transmissions | Automatic (AM-S7), Manual 6-spd, Automatic (AM7) | Automatic (A1), Automatic (AM-S7), Automatic (S8) |
| Drivetrains | Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Regular, Premium, Electricity | Electricity, Premium, Premium and Electricity |
| EPA class | Compact Cars | Midsize Cars |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2015–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 84 | 75 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Golf/GTI vs Countryman: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Volkswagen Golf/GTI or the MINI Countryman?
The Volkswagen Golf/GTI is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 119 mpg combined versus 98 mpg for the MINI Countryman, a 21 mpg advantage and costs about $150 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Volkswagen Golf/GTI runs about $650 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $800 for the MINI Countryman — a difference of roughly $150 per year.
What engines do the Golf/GTI and Countryman offer?
Volkswagen Golf/GTI: SIDI, 2.0. MINI Countryman: SIDI & PFI, SIDI, SIDI; PHEV, 1.6.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Volkswagen Golf/GTI as Compact Cars and the MINI Countryman as Midsize Cars, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More Golf/GTI comparisons
Comparison id: volkswagen-golfgti-vs-mini-countryman