2025 Mazda CX-90 vs 2026 MINI Countryman

$38,045 · Crossover

$38,900 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 bursts onto the scene with a robust 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, delivering a premium, muscular feel expected of its larger 200.8-inch frame. In contrast, the highly anticipated 2026 MINI Countryman offers nimble handling powered by 241 hp, wrapped in a compact package designed for urban agility. While the Mazda boasts a substantial 39 hp advantage and a more generous 14.9 cu ft of cargo space (albeit small for its class), the MINI counters with superior efficiency, achieving 27 MPG combined compared to the CX-90's 25 MPG combined, and requires the slightly more expensive premium fuel. The CX-90 features an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the Countryman uses a 7-speed automated manual. Both offer standard AWD, making them competent across various conditions, but their philosophies—spacious performance versus compact efficiency—set them worlds apart.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 MINI Countryman

The 2026 MINI Countryman wins for commuters due to its better combined fuel economy of 27 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Mazda CX-90

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 is better for families due to its significantly larger overall dimensions (200.8 inches long) suggesting more passenger room.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Mazda CX-90

The Mazda CX-90 appeals more to enthusiasts with its higher output of 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2025 Mazda CX-90

The Mazda CX-90 offers substantially more horsepower for a slightly lower starting MSRP of $38,045.

Choose the Mazda CX-90 if...

You prioritize maximum power, needing the 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque the CX-90 provides.
You desire a full-sized crossover feel, evidenced by its 200.8-inch length and 8-speed transmission.
You prefer utilizing regular unleaded fuel over premium fuel for running costs.

Choose the MINI Countryman if...

Your daily driving demands efficiency, where the Countryman’s 32 highway MPG beats the CX-90’s 28 MPG.
You need more practical storage, as the Countryman offers 25 cu ft of cargo capacity, significantly more than the CX-90's 14.9 cu ft.
You prefer the agility and tighter footprint of a smaller crossover (175.0 inches in length).

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mazda CX-90	MINI Countryman
Length	200.8"	175.0"
Width	78.5"	72.6"
Height	68.2"	65.2"
Wheelbase	122.8"	106.0"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Mazda	MINI
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	—
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	✓	—
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Preparation System	✓	—
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Brake Assist	—	✓
Cornering Lights	—	✓
Front Fixed Headrests	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Mazda	MINI
Base Engine Displacement	3.3 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	mild hybrid	gas
Horsepower	280 hp @ 5000 rpm	241 hp @ 4500 rpm
Torque	332 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm	295 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm
Number of Valves	24	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Mazda	MINI
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	7-speed automated manual
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Mazda	MINI
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	premium unleaded (recommended)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	24/28 MPG	24/32 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	25 MPG	27 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	444.0/518.0 mi.	343.2/457.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.5 gal.	14.3 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Mazda	MINI
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	—
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	—
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mazda	MINI
Infotainment Display	10.3 in	9.4 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	8	—
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Memory Card Slot	✓	—
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	12 months

Power Feature

Feature	Mazda	MINI
One-Touch Power Windows	4	2
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Power Glass Extended

Frontseats

Feature	Mazda	MINI
Front Head Room	39.7 in.	40.7 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	40.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.2 in.	55.7 in.
Front Hip Room	56.2 in.	—
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	—
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	6-way
Front Seat Type: Sport	—	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Mazda	MINI
Rear Head Room	39.3 in.	37.8 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.4 in.	37.0 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	54.8 in.
Rear Hip Room	55.5 in.	—
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Mazda	MINI
Wheel Material	Alloy	Alloy
Wheel Size	19 x 8.5 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	265/55R19	225/55R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—

Suspension

Feature	Mazda	MINI
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Front Stabilizer Bar	—	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Mazda	MINI
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	12 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	4 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mazda CX-90 and 2026 MINI Countryman.

How much larger is the 2025 Mazda CX-90 compared to the 2026 MINI Countryman?

The Mazda CX-90 is substantially larger, measuring 200.8 inches in length compared to the Countryman’s 175.0 inches. This nearly 26-inch difference in length translates to greater overall presence and passenger volume in the Mazda.

Which vehicle offers better fuel economy for long commutes?

The 2026 MINI Countryman is the more economical choice, achieving a combined 27 MPG versus the CX-90’s 25 MPG combined. Furthermore, the Countryman delivers an impressive 32 MPG on the highway.

Does the difference in horsepower significantly impact performance between these two AWD models?

Yes, the Mazda CX-90 has a clear advantage with 280 hp, giving it 39 more horsepower than the Countryman's 241 hp. This power delta suggests the CX-90 will accelerate more briskly from the line.

Are there major differences in what fuel the vehicles require?

The CX-90 runs happily on regular unleaded fuel, while the 2026 MINI Countryman recommends premium unleaded fuel, which generally costs more per gallon.

Which crossover provides more usable cargo space behind the rear seats?

Despite being the smaller vehicle overall, the 2026 MINI Countryman surprisingly offers significantly more cargo capacity at 25 cubic feet, compared to the Mazda CX-90's 14.9 cubic feet.