MINI Countryman vs. Volkswagen Golf
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the MINI Countryman and Volkswagen Golf contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the MINI Countryman and the Volkswagen Golf.
In comparing the MINI Countryman's and the Volkswagen Golf's specifications and ratings, the MINI Countryman has the advantage in the area of interior volume. The Volkswagen Golf has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency, reliability, resale value, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the MINI Countryman's and the Volkswagen Golf's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Golf is a better car than the MINI Countryman.
Pricing: A used 2021 MINI Countryman ranges from $18,331 to $31,577 while a used 2021 Volkswagen Golf is priced between $14,517 to $22,997.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the MINI Countryman loses 45.9 percent of its value and the Volkswagen Golf loses 41.7 percent of its value. This means the Volkswagen Golf retains 4.2 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the MINI Countryman.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the MINI Countryman is 8.0 out of 10 while the Volkswagen Golf's quality rating is 8.1 out of 10. This results in the MINI Countryman being ranked 2 out of 21 Best Subcompact SUVs and the Volkswagen Golf being ranked 14 out of 37 Best Small Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the MINI Countryman is 7.8 out of 10. For the Volkswagen Golf the reliability rating is 7.9 out of 10. This gives the Volkswagen Golf a slight advantage in reliability compared to the MINI Countryman.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the MINI Countryman’s base engine makes 134 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Golf base engine makes 147 horsepower. The Countryman is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 531 miles. The Golf is rated to deliver an average of 33 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 515 miles.This gives the Volkswagen Golf the advantage in fuel efficiency and the MINI Countryman the advantage in maximum range. The Countryman uses premium unleaded, and the Golf uses regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The MINI Countryman, a crossover/subcompact SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Volkswagen Golf, a compact car, has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room and front leg room.
Safety Ratings: The Volkswagen Golf has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
29100
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Subcompact SUVs)
22058
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
18750 - 29100
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
23195
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
21197
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
15295 - 28695
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
24096
Price Range:
18331 - 31577
Category Avg Price:
(Subcompact SUVs)
19173
Category Avg Price Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
16252 - 24096
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
38
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
49258
# Good or Great Deals:
9
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
18641
Price Range:
14517 - 22997
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
19841
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
11819 - 28783
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
15
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
67675
# Good or Great Deals:
6
MINI Countryman Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.0 / 10
Reliability:
7.8 / 10
Retained Value:
8.1 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Volkswagen Golf Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.1 / 10
Reliability:
7.9 / 10
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for MINI Countryman
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
8.5
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Subcompact SUVs)
7.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
5.1 - 9.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.011
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Golf
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
13.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
7.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
4.8 - 13.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.133
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.6719629714728894
Typical Category Recalls:
(Subcompact SUVs)
2.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Subcompact SUVs)
1.1 - 9.8
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.9188929339555512
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2.7
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.1 - 12.4
MINI Countryman Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 21Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
2 out of / 21Ranking
2 out of / 21Ranking
2 out of / 21Ranking
3 out of / 21Ranking
3 out of / 17Ranking
3 out of / 17Ranking
6 out of / 14Ranking
8 out of / 67Ranking
8 out of / 21Ranking
11 out of / 67Ranking
11 out of / 21Ranking
11 out of / 21Ranking
12 out of / 21Ranking
14 out of / 67Ranking
14 out of / 14Ranking
16 out of / 56Ranking
16 out of / 21Ranking
17 out of / 67Ranking
23 out of / 67Ranking
26 out of / 67Ranking
27 out of / 67Ranking
45 out of / 67Ranking
45 out of / 56Ranking
49 out of / 67Ranking
55 out of / 67Volkswagen Golf Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 37Ranking
7 out of / 37Ranking
10 out of / 17Ranking
12 out of / 37Ranking
13 out of / 37Ranking
14 out of / 37Ranking
25 out of / 37Ranking
25 out of / 37Ranking
26 out of / 37Ranking
32 out of / 37Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
MINI Countryman Trim Levels
Cooper, Cooper ALL4, Cooper S, Cooper S ALL4, John Cooper Works ALL4
Volkswagen Golf Trim Levels
TSI
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
134 hp @ 4400 rpm
Torque:
162 foot-lbs @ 1250 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.039 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
147 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 1400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.050 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
3
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
26 / 33 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
419 / 531 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
29 / 39 / 33
Range (city/hwy):
383 / 515 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Heated Seats
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
Standard
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
54.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54 inches
Cargo Space:
17.6 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
47.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
114.6 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.9 inches
Cargo Space:
17.4 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
42.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
110.9 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3443 lbs
Width:
78.9 inches
Height:
61.3 inches
Length:
169.8 inches
Wheelbase:
105.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.5 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2945 lbs
Width:
70.8 inches
Height:
58.2 inches
Length:
167.6 inches
Wheelbase:
103.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/55R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
205/55R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Midnight Black Metallic / MINI Yours Enigmatic Black Metallic
Blue
Island Blue Metallic
Gray
Moonwalk Grey Metallic
Green
British Racing Green IV Metallic
Red
Chili Red
Silver
White Silver Metallic
White
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl
Blue
Silk Blue Metallic
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic
Green
Not available
Red
Not available
Silver
White Silver Metallic
White
Pure White
Interior Colors
Black
Black Pearl / Carbon Black
Blue
Indigo Blue
Brown
Malt Brown
Gray
Satellite Grey
Beige
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Titan Black
Blue
Not available
Brown
Not available
Gray
Not available
Beige
Beige
