VS
At a Glance
Power
230 kW
136 kW
Torque
494 Nm
247 Nm
Fuel
17.0-18.5 kWh/100km l/100km
7.9 l/100km
Towing
1200 Kg
1500 Kg
0-100 km/h
5.6 s
—
Engine
electric cc
2498 cc
Choosing between the MINI Countryman and the Subaru Forester is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The MINI Countryman delivers 230 kW while the Subaru Forester produces 136 kW. On fuel, the Countryman returns 17.0-18.5 kWh/100km l/100km while the Forester uses 7.9 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R1 110 000 for the Countryman and R740 000 for the Forester. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
230 kW
136 kW
Torque
494 Nm
247 Nm
0-100 kph
5.6 s
—
Top Speed
180 Km/h
—
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
electric cc
2498 cc
Engine Layout
—
boxer
Cylinders
—
4
Fuel Type
electric
petrol
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
—
—
Drive Wheels
all
all
Full Time 4x4
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
17.0-18.5 kWh/100km l/100km
7.9 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
66.5 kWh l
63 l
CO2 Emissions
—
180 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4444 mm
4655 mm
Width
1843-2069 mm
1830 mm
Height
1635 mm
1730 mm
Wheelbase
2692 mm
2670 mm
Ground Clearance
—
220 mm
Kerb Weight
2075 Kg
1609 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
460-1450 l
496-1174 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
1200 Kg
1500 Kg
Load Capacity
570 l
—
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
9
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
Optional
—
Adaptive Cruise Control
Optional
—
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✓ Standard
—
Reversing Camera
Optional
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
—
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
—
Sunroof
✓ Standard
—
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
—
Keyless Entry
Optional
✓ Standard
Tow Bar
Optional
—
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
2 vehicle / 8 battery
5
Warranty Distance
unlimited vehicle / 100000 battery Km
150000 Km
Service Intervals
service interval indicator / 20000 km
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Subaru Forester
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Countryman
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
Forester
Practicality
Forester
Pros & Cons
MINI Countryman
More powerful engine (230 kW)
Higher starting price
Subaru Forester
Lower starting price (R740 000)
Higher towing capacity (1500 Kg)
Less power than rival (136 kW vs 230 kW)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Countryman or Forester?
The Countryman uses 17.0-18.5 kWh/100km l/100km and the Forester uses 7.9 l/100km on the combined cycle. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Countryman or Forester?
The Countryman produces 230 kW and 494 Nm of torque while the Forester delivers 136 kW and 247 Nm of torque. The Countryman is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Countryman and Forester?
The Countryman starts from R1 110 000 and the Forester from R740 000. The Forester is cheaper by R370 000 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Countryman or Forester?
The Countryman has a braked towing capacity of 1200 Kg and the Forester can tow 1500 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Countryman or the Forester?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.