CUPRA Formentor vs MINI Countryman
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 7 Sep 2026, price 24 Jun 2026
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$49,990RRP
- no option data for this car
$49,990RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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Price Breakdown
The CUPRA Formentor starts from $49,990 before on-road costs, while the MINI Countryman opens at $49,990. Both land at the same RRP, so on-road costs and dealer deals become the real differentiator.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $54,989 and $54,989 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the CUPRA Formentor by roughly $1,565 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the CUPRA Formentor and MINI Countryman hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 91% for the CUPRA Formentor and 83% for the MINI Countryman.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 8 of 10 key ADAS systems on the CUPRA Formentor, against 6 on the MINI Countryman.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the CUPRA Formentor and 9 in the MINI Countryman.
Recalls on our record
CUPRA Formentor
- REC-006608 · published 12 May 2026Electric power steering software fault can disable assistanceYear range on the notice: 2024 - 2026
- REC-005900 · published 19 Feb 2024Due to a manufacturing issue, the heat shield between the brake master cylinder and the exhaust may have been incorrectly fitted.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2022
- REC-005610 · published 8 Feb 2023Due to a manufacturing issue, the radiator on some vehicles may not be properly secured.Year range on the notice: 2021 - 2022
MINI Countryman
- REC-006442 · published 8 Oct 2025Due to a manufacturing defect, the front passenger and/or driver seatbelts may not meet the required specifications.Year range on the notice: 2025
- REC-006091 · published 2 Oct 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, a component of the brake booster system may have been incorrectly welded and could break.Year range on the notice: 2024
- REC-001008 · published 26 Sep 2018The fault affects the crash protection plate of the high pressure fuel pump in the engine compartment.Year range on the notice: 2016 - 2018
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The CUPRA Formentor features a 12-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the MINI Countryman gets a 9.4-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The CUPRA Formentor stands out with heated front seats — features our data doesn't list for the MINI Countryman. The MINI Countryman counters with head-up display. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the CUPRA Formentor gets cloth upholstery while the MINI Countryman offers synthetic leather / cloth. Climate control is 3-zone in the CUPRA Formentor and 2-zone in the MINI Countryman.
Drivetrain
The CUPRA Formentor uses a 4-cyl Turbo Petrol producing 110kW and 250Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9 seconds.
The MINI Countryman responds with a Petrol Turbo making 125kW and 280Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9 seconds.
The MINI Countryman has the clear power advantage at 125kW vs 110kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The CUPRA Formentor measures 4,450mm long on a 2,680mm wheelbase, 6mm longer than the MINI Countryman at 4,444mm (2,692mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the MINI Countryman generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 450L in the CUPRA Formentor and 460L in the MINI Countryman, giving the MINI Countryman a 10L advantage.
For towing, the MINI Countryman leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 0kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.7m to 11.6m
Based on 10.7m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,568/year for the CUPRA Formentor and $1,881/year for the MINI Countryman. That is a $313 annual difference in favour of the CUPRA Formentor.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (CUPRA Formentor) vs 5 years / 999,999km (MINI Countryman). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the CUPRA Formentor if: You want lower running costs, or prefer CUPRA's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the MINI Countryman if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer MINI's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
CUPRA Formentor: Top CarSorted Score, 77 vs 76
The CUPRA Formentor comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (77 vs 76), taking 1 of 3 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (CUPRA Formentor ahead by 10), safety (MINI Countryman ahead by 4), practicality (MINI Countryman ahead by 3). The CUPRA Formentor will save you roughly $313 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, CUPRA Formentor and MINI Countryman?
The CUPRA Formentor is the cheapest at $49,990 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The CUPRA Formentor uses the least fuel at 5.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: CUPRA Formentor and MINI Countryman all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The MINI Countryman has the largest boot at 460L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The CUPRA Formentor has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The MINI Countryman makes the most power at 125kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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