MINI Countryman vs Jeep Compass
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.
Price Breakdown
The MINI Countryman starts from $49,990 before on-road costs, while the Jeep Compass opens at $50,500. That makes the MINI Countryman the more affordable entry point by $510.
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 $55,550 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Jeep Compass by roughly $2,135 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The MINI Countryman features a 9.4-inch touchscreen, while the Jeep Compass gets a 10.1-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The MINI Countryman stands out with power tailgate and ambient lighting that you will not find on the Jeep Compass. The Jeep Compass counters with wireless charging and heated front seats. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the MINI Countryman gets synthetic leather / cloth upholstery while the Jeep Compass offers cloth & technoleather.
Drivetrain
The MINI Countryman uses a Petrol Turbo producing 115kW and 230Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9 seconds.
The Jeep Compass responds with a Petrol I4 Mild Hybrid + 48V making 96kW and 240Nm, paired to a 7-speed dual clutch automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 10 seconds.
The MINI Countryman has the clear power advantage at 115kW vs 96kW. In the real-world sprint, the MINI Countryman is 1.0s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The MINI Countryman measures 4,444mm long on a 2,692mm wheelbase, 40mm longer than the Jeep Compass at 4,404mm (2,636mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the MINI Countryman generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 460L in the MINI Countryman and 438L in the Jeep Compass, giving the MINI Countryman a 22L advantage.
For towing, the MINI Countryman leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 1,450kg. That 50kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.1m to 11.6m
Based on 11.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.1m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,881/year for the MINI Countryman and $1,454/year for the Jeep Compass. That is a $427 annual difference in favour of the Jeep Compass.
Estimated annual total: $1,881 (MINI Countryman) vs $1,454 (Jeep Compass). The Jeep Compass saves you roughly $427 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (MINI Countryman) vs 5 years / 100,000km (Jeep Compass). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the MINI Countryman if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer MINI's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Jeep Compass if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Jeep's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The MINI Countryman takes 5 of 6 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Jeep Compass will save you roughly $427 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
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.
Published by CarSorted Editorial Team · 20 April 2026
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