Discovery Sport vs Countryman
Land Rover brings the Discovery Sport; MINI answers with the Countryman. Both play in the subcompact luxury suv class. There is a favorite. The Countryman beats the Discovery Sport in 2 of 4 areas, and fuel economy & range is its biggest advantage.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Countryman wins
- Fuel Economy & Range Countryman wins
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance7.1
- Fuel Economy & Range0.0
- Engine & Performance7.5
- Fuel Economy & Range4.9
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Countryman has better fuel economy
The numbers aren’t close. The Countryman lists 27 mpg for fuel economy (combined), while the Discovery Sport lists 20 mpg. Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
-
The Countryman has better highway fuel economy
A clear win for the Countryman: 32 mpg against 23 mpg. Few specs in this matchup are as one-sided. The Countryman uses less fuel on the highway, a real saving on road trips and long commutes.
-
The Countryman has better city fuel economy
Here the Countryman pulls well ahead of the Discovery Sport, with 24 mpg compared to 19 mpg. Hybrids often shine in the city, and the Countryman has the better rating here.
-
The Countryman has 26 lb-ft more torque
Think of it as a tiebreaker rather than a deal-breaker: 295 lb-ft for the Countryman, 269 lb-ft for the Discovery Sport. More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
Design & Size
Engine & Performance
Countryman leads
The Countryman has the slight upper hand on engine & performance. The Countryman gives you 26 lb-ft more torque. The Countryman’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing. Bottom line for engine & performance: the Countryman has the edge.
Torque
Discovery Sport: 269 lb-ft Countryman: 295 lb-ft Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type.
Fuel Economy & Range
Countryman leads
The Countryman wins the fuel economy & range section decisively. Choose the Countryman and you get better fuel economy. Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold. On fuel economy & range alone, the Countryman gets the nod.
Fuel economy (combined)
Discovery Sport: 20 mpg Countryman: 27 mpg The Countryman uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot.
Fuel economy (highway)
Discovery Sport: 23 mpg Countryman: 32 mpg Speed, wind and load affect highway use a lot, but the official rating is a fair comparison point.
Space & Practicality
Too close to call
The space & practicality specs are close enough that neither gets the point. Both cover space & practicality well enough that other priorities should break the tie.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
Call the off-road & towing round a draw. This section won’t settle the choice, so weigh the other areas more heavily.
Safety & Tech
There isn’t a number to compare on safety & tech, just names. Look at the rows below to see how the Discovery Sport and the Countryman differ.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Discovery Sport | Countryman |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 2.0L turbo I4 | 2.0L turbo I4 |
| Total system output | 246 hp | 241 hp |
| Torque | 269 lb-ft | 295 lb-ft (winner) |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic | 7-speed dual-clutch |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD (ALL4) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Discovery Sport | Countryman |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 20 mpg Thirstiest in class | 27 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 19 mpg Thirstiest in the city | 24 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 23 mpg Thirstiest on the highway | 32 mpg (winner) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Discovery Sport | Countryman |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Discovery Sport | Countryman |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Discovery Sport | Countryman |
|---|---|---|
| Basic warranty | 4 yr / 50,000 mi | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Discovery Sport if…
- you’re loyal to Land Rover and happy with it
Choose the Countryman if…
- you drive a lot and want lower running costs (27 mpg vs 20 mpg combined)
- you cover long highway distances (32 mpg vs 23 mpg on the highway)
- you mostly drive in town (24 mpg vs 19 mpg in the city)
- you often drive loaded up or with a trailer (295 lb-ft vs 269 lb-ft of torque)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Discovery Sport or the Countryman?
On the specs compared here, the Countryman makes more sense for most buyers; the Discovery Sport doesn’t win a single measurable area.
Executive Summary
On paper, the Discovery Sport and the Countryman chase the same buyer. In the details, Land Rover and MINI made different calls. My main argument for the Countryman? It comes with better fuel economy. A second reason: the Countryman comes with better city fuel economy.
I think of the Discovery Sport as the one for the things a spec sheet can’t capture and the Countryman as the one for engine & performance.
My pick: the Countryman.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.