Compare the2024 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In HybridVS 2024 MINI SE Countryman

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid 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 SE Countryman doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid are reminded to check the back seat. The SE Countryman doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests front crash prevention systems. With a score of 6 points, IIHS rates the Automatic Emergency Braking in the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid as “Superior.” The SE Countryman scores only 3 points and is rated only “Advanced.”

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Limited has standard Reverse Collision-Avoidance Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The SE Countryman doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s standard Downhill Brake Control allows you to creep down safely. The SE Countryman doesn’t offer Downhill Brake Control.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Limited has a standard Around View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The SE Countryman only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. The SE Countryman doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s standard Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. The SE Countryman doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid and the SE Countryman have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, rearview cameras and driver alert monitors.

The Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The SE Countryman is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The SE Countryman’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than MINI covers the SE Countryman. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the SE Countryman ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 8 times as many Hyundai dealers as there are MINI dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than MINI vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, MINI is ranked 11th.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 40 more horsepower (261 vs. 221) than the SE Countryman’s 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity gets better mileage than the SE Countryman running on electricity (87 city/74 hwy vs. 74 city/72 hwy MPGe).

On the EPA test cycle the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the SE Countryman running its gasoline engine (35 city/35 hwy vs. 29 city/30 hwy).

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 33 miles. The SE Countryman has to start its internal combustion engine after only 18 miles.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid uses regular unleaded gasoline. The SE Countryman requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the SE Countryman (11.1 vs. 9.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid higher (7 out of 10) than the MINI SE Countryman (3). This means the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the SE Countryman every 15,000 miles.

For better traction, the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has larger tires than the SE Countryman (235/55R19 vs. 225/50R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has standard 19-inch wheels. Only 18-inch wheels are available on the SE Countryman.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s wheelbase is 3.4 inches longer than on the SE Countryman (108.5 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid is 2 inches wider in the front and 2.2 inches wider in the rear than on the SE Countryman.

For greater off-road capability the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a 2.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the SE Countryman (8.3 vs. 5.8 inches), allowing the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The SE Countryman doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has 10.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the SE Countryman (105.9 vs. 95.4).

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has 1 inch more front legroom, 2.8 inches more front shoulder room, 2.5 inches more rear headroom, 1.9 inches more rear legroom and 2.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the SE Countryman.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the SE Countryman with its rear seat up (31.9 vs. 17.2 cubic feet). The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the SE Countryman with its rear seat folded (66.3 vs. 47.4 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The SE Countryman doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The SE Countryman has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The SE Countryman doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a higher standard payload capacity than the SE Countryman (1132 vs. 950 lbs.).

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Limited’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The SE Countryman doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the SE Countryman’s headlights are rated “Marginal” to “Poor.”

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

Both the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid and the SE Countryman have standard heated front seats. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Limited also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the SE Countryman.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Limited keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The SE Countryman doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the SE Countryman Iconic offers wireless charging.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Limited’s Remote Smart Parking Assist can parallel park by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Park Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The SE Countryman Iconic’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park and it doesn’t offer remote control parking.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Hyundai Tucson outsold the MINI Countryman by almost 17 to one during 2023.