MotoringFile points out that John Leblanc of the Toronto Star compared the MINI Countryman with the Nissan Juke and gave the Juke the edge even though the Countryman got higher marks for more headroom, more rear cargo room, better ride quality and more refined interior surfaces and materials. However, as this quote from Mr. Leblanc shows, his opinion was based almost completely on price, not on driveability:
Admittedly, the extra $10k it costs does give the MINI a slight advantage if you like to drive. The Countryman ALL4 leans less in corners and feels more composed when you drive it like a sports compact than the Juke SL AWD. Plus there’s the availability of a manual gearbox in the Mini, an option Nissan doesn’t offer with AWD in the Juke.
