Photo: Auto Motor und Sport
Looking for an iconic small car but wanting some space to allow you to move inside it, you're bound to end up facing this comparison: Fiat 500L versus the MINI Countryman. The guys from Auto Motor und Sport wanted to lend you a helping hand and did a comparison of the two.
Both of these cars were built following similar concepts: offer as much space as possible while keeping the size to a minimum. Both of them are really good but what sets them apart and which is best?
The four-door MINI measures 4.1 meters (161.4 inches) in length and the Fiat is even longer, by 5 cm (2 inches). That translates into a lot of leg room and 4 fully grown adults wouldn't have any trouble in traveling in the back of these cars, even for longer distances.
The baggage compartments are closely matched, with a slight advantage for the MINI which can take 50 extra liters of luggage compared to Fiat's 400 liters, when the seats are up. However, after folding the rear seats, the 500L overtakes the Countryman.
Unfortunately for the Italian car, the rear seats have a slightly elevated position. Of course, this means the headroom will be slightly worse than in the MINI and less comfortable. Going over the front seats, the Countryman wins again, with its more comfortable and premium-finished layout.
Going over the driving experience, there's hardly anything to compare. The Fiat has only a 2-cylinder, 875 cc turbocharged engine that is pushing 105 HP to the front wheels, while the Countryman has a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder with 100 HP and 153 Nm (113 lb-ft) of torque.
Even though the 2-cylinder unit has a bit more power, the smoothness of the 1.6-liter BMW engine is far better and more comfortable to drive. In order to get the 875 cc engine up to par with the 1.6-liter, you'd really have to push it and keep it up for a long time while hearing its scooter-like exhaust note.
Going over to driving dynamics, the Countryman wins again. The bigger 500 can't hold it together and loses valuable time in every curve. The legendary MINI go-kart feel is at home, even in this low-powered, 4-door version.
Overall, the guys placed the MINI on the second place due to its considerably higher price and higher fuel consumption figures, despite winning every other test it was put to.
Via: Auto Motor und Sport
The four-door MINI measures 4.1 meters (161.4 inches) in length and the Fiat is even longer, by 5 cm (2 inches). That translates into a lot of leg room and 4 fully grown adults wouldn't have any trouble in traveling in the back of these cars, even for longer distances.
The baggage compartments are closely matched, with a slight advantage for the MINI which can take 50 extra liters of luggage compared to Fiat's 400 liters, when the seats are up. However, after folding the rear seats, the 500L overtakes the Countryman.
Unfortunately for the Italian car, the rear seats have a slightly elevated position. Of course, this means the headroom will be slightly worse than in the MINI and less comfortable. Going over the front seats, the Countryman wins again, with its more comfortable and premium-finished layout.
Going over the driving experience, there's hardly anything to compare. The Fiat has only a 2-cylinder, 875 cc turbocharged engine that is pushing 105 HP to the front wheels, while the Countryman has a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder with 100 HP and 153 Nm (113 lb-ft) of torque.
Even though the 2-cylinder unit has a bit more power, the smoothness of the 1.6-liter BMW engine is far better and more comfortable to drive. In order to get the 875 cc engine up to par with the 1.6-liter, you'd really have to push it and keep it up for a long time while hearing its scooter-like exhaust note.
Going over to driving dynamics, the Countryman wins again. The bigger 500 can't hold it together and loses valuable time in every curve. The legendary MINI go-kart feel is at home, even in this low-powered, 4-door version.
Overall, the guys placed the MINI on the second place due to its considerably higher price and higher fuel consumption figures, despite winning every other test it was put to.
Via: Auto Motor und Sport
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