MINI Countryman vs Vauxhall Frontera
Figures updated
The Vauxhall Frontera is a new rival to the MINI Countryman, one of the UK's most popular small SUVs. We compare the U25 (2024–) Countryman and the Mk3 (2024–) Frontera on price, size, boot space, performance, safety, official economy and running costs.
The short answer
Pick the MINI Countryman for more performance, or the Vauxhall Frontera for lower fuel costs.
- Their boots are much the same size: MINI Countryman 450 litres, Vauxhall Frontera 460 litres.
- No MOT reliability comparison yet: the Vauxhall Frontera is too new for MOT records (cars first take an MOT at three years old).
- The Vauxhall Frontera is the cheapest to fuel: comparing petrol versions, about £415 a year less than the MINI Countryman at 7,500 miles a year.
| Figure | MINI CountrymanU25 (2024–), 5-door SUV | Vauxhall FronteraMk3 (2024–), 5-door SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Price and practicality | ||
| Price newUK list prices, across the range | – | £22,820 to £31,495October 2026 price list |
| Body | 5-door SUV | 5-door SUV |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| BootSeats up / folded | 450 litres / 1,450 | 460 litres / 1,600 |
| Length | 4,444mm | 4,385mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | 1,843mm | 1,795mm |
| Height | 1,661mm | 1,655mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 170–313 PS (best) | 100–145 PS |
| 0–62mph | 5.4–8.6 sec (best) | 9.0–13.0 sec |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2024) | – |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | Electric, Petrol | Electric, Petrol |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | 35.3–45.5 mpg | 57.5–57.6 mpg |
| CO2 | 133–177 g/km | 111 g/km |
| Electric range | 248–263 miles | 199–268 miles |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Petrol or hybrid171.7p a litre, today's UK average | £1,431 (40.9 mpg) | £1,016 (57.6 mpg) (best) |
| Electric, charged at home26.3p per kWh standard tariff | £438 (5 mi/kWh) (best) | £548 (4 mi/kWh) |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | £438 (electric) | £548 (electric) |
| Car tax a yearCars registered from April 2017 | £200 | £200 |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 139Well above average | Too new for MOT data |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 16.3% | – |
| Failed at 3 years old | 9.7% | – |
| Failed at 5 years old | 11.1% | – |
| Failed at 10 years old | 20.1% | – |
| Most common MOT fault | Condition (1.9% of tests) | – |
| Fails more than average on | Nothing stands out | – |
| MOT tests analysed | 104,015 | – |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | Small SUV | Small SUV |
| Owners' average miles a year | 7,300 | – |
| On sale | 2024 on | 2024 on |
Green marks the better figure where the difference is more than 3%. Reliability figures cover every version of each model tested in the year. Running costs use the typical official economy of recent versions (WLTP where available); real-world economy is usually a little worse for every car.
More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
›Is the MINI Countryman or the Vauxhall Frontera more reliable?
It's too early to say from MOT records: the Vauxhall Frontera is too new, as cars take their first MOT at three years old. The MINI Countryman has a reliability score of 139 (100 is average) from 104,015 MOT tests in 2024.
›Which is bigger, the MINI Countryman or the Vauxhall Frontera?
The MINI Countryman is 59mm longer (4,444mm against 4,385mm). Their boots are much the same: 450 and 460 litres.
›Which is cheaper to run, the MINI Countryman or the Vauxhall Frontera?
Comparing petrol versions, the Vauxhall Frontera costs about £415 a year less to fuel at 7,500 miles (£1,016 against £1,431), using typical official economy and current UK average fuel prices.
›Should I buy the MINI Countryman or the Vauxhall Frontera?
Pick the MINI Countryman for more performance, or the Vauxhall Frontera for lower fuel costs. The comparison above sets out price, space, performance, safety, running costs and reliability side by side.
Sources: manufacturers' UK specifications and price lists and Euro NCAP (listed on each model's page); DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024 (Open Government Licence v3.0); Vehicle Certification Agency car fuel data, © Crown copyright, VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy; fuel prices from the GOV.UK Fuel Finder scheme. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each picture.