Compare the2025 Acura RDXVS 2025 MINI Countryman

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Acura RDX are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The MINI Countryman doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Acura RDX comes with a standard Surround-View Camera System and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the MINI Countryman doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

Both the RDX and the Countryman have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the RDX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than MINI covers the Countryman. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Countryman ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 3 times as many Acura dealers as there are MINI dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the RDX’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the RDX’s reliability 14 points higher than the Countryman.

The RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 31 more horsepower (272 vs. 241) than the Countryman S’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura RDX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The JCW Countryman requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The RDX has 2.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Countryman (17.1 vs. 14.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The RDX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Countryman doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura RDX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Countryman.

The RDX stops shorter than the Countryman:

For better traction, the RDX has larger standard tires than the Countryman (235/55R19 vs. 225/55R18). The RDX A-Spec’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Countryman (255/45R20 vs. 245/45R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Countryman.

The RDX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Countryman doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RDX’s wheelbase is 2.3 inches longer than on the Countryman (108.3 inches vs. 106 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RDX is 2 inches wider in the front and 2.5 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Countryman.

For greater off-road capability the RDX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Countryman (8.2 vs. 8 inches), allowing the RDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The RDX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Countryman doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The RDX has 1.2 inches more front legroom, 4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear legroom and 1.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Countryman.

The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Countryman with its rear seat up (31.1 vs. 25 cubic feet). The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Countryman with its rear seat folded (79.8 vs. 56.2 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the RDX’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Countryman doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

While the Countryman JCW is not recommended to tow, any RDX can tow a minimum of 1500 pounds.

The RDX’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Countryman.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the RDX has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Countryman only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the RDX has standard extendable sun visors. The Countryman doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Both the RDX and the Countryman have standard heated front seats. The RDX Advance also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Countryman.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the RDX A-Spec/Advance keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Countryman doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Compared to the MINI Countryman, the Acura RDX eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its standard integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

The Acura RDX has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

The Acura RDX outsold the MINI Countryman by almost four to one during 2024.