2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2024 MINI Countryman

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was priced at just over $50,000 for the base Hybrid LE, with the Limited trim and Platinum package reaching $61,800 in Canada. It featured minimal appearance changes, with a new Cypress Green paint colour. The design was considered over-styled, with exaggerated forms and a lack of subtlety both inside and out. The interior was criticized for its mismatched textures, reflections, and a lack of quality in materials and controls. Despite these drawbacks, the Highlander Hybrid was noted for its quiet ride on the road.

In contrast, the 2024 MINI Countryman embraced classic MINI styling with a playful design, including Union Jack taillights and a floating roof. It offered various paint and wheel options, and the interior was characterized by its retro design and supportive seating. The Countryman was noted for its excellent outward visibility and ease of parking, though it lacked some advanced parking technologies. The interior storage was reasonable, but cargo space was limited compared to other small SUVs.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with electric motor-generators, producing 243 horsepower. It offered standard AWD and could operate in EV mode at low speeds. However, the gas engine's torque was limited, affecting high-speed performance and towing capacity. The Highlander Hybrid was designed for fuel efficiency, with a Predictive Efficient Drive system, but it returned 8.2 L/100 km in testing, higher than the expected 6.7 L/100 km. The driving experience was described as uninspiring, with soft suspension and a CVT that detracted from engagement.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered different powertrains, with the John Cooper Works model delivering 301 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in about 5 seconds. The Cooper S model, with 189 horsepower and 206 lb-ft of torque, was quick enough for daily driving, reaching 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds. The Countryman excelled in urban environments, though it wasn't suited for off-road adventures. Fuel economy was rated at 9.1 L/100 km, but testing showed 9.3 L/100 km. The driving experience was more engaging than the Highlander, especially in the JCW model.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid accommodated seven or eight passengers, though the third row was best for occasional use. It featured three-zone climate control and heated seats, with power-adjustable front seats. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable, but accessing the third row was challenging. The Highlander offered 453 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,387 litres with the second row folded. However, storage areas were unlined, and the centre console design was unnecessarily complex.

The 2024 MINI Countryman provided seating for four adults comfortably, with supportive front seats and adequate rear legroom. It offered 498 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 1,348 litres with the seats folded. The Countryman's interior storage was reasonable, but the smartphone charging pad blocked access to the storage tray. The 40/20/40-split folding back seat allowed for flexible cargo arrangements, though the overall cargo capacity was smaller than the Highlander's.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid introduced new technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment systems. The Limited trim featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected services included Remote Connect and Drive Connect, with an Intelligent Assistant and cloud-based navigation. The test vehicle had a head-up display and an 11-speaker JBL sound system, though the graphics could be improved for better visibility.

The 2024 MINI Countryman featured a small digital instrumentation display and a head-up display. The 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system used BMW's iDrive technology, offering multiple interaction methods. The system was user-friendly, with accurate voice recognition, but lacked Android Auto connectivity. A 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system was available, providing excellent audio quality.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, with additional parking sensors and a surround-view camera on higher trims. The Highlander received excellent crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered limited ADAS features, with Active Driving Assistant providing forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and lane-departure warning. Rear parking sensors and an emergency SOS call button were standard, with adaptive cruise control available as an option. The Countryman lacked several advanced safety features, and its crash-test ratings from the IIHS were incomplete but generally positive.