2024 Toyota Sequoia vs 2024 MINI Countryman

The 2024 MINI Countryman exuded a playful charm, staying true to its British roots with classic MINI styling cues. Its erect wraparound windshield, floating roof, and Union Jack taillights made it stand out in a crowd. The Countryman offered a variety of paint, roof, and mirror cap treatments, along with multiple wheel designs, allowing for a personalized touch. In Canada, the lineup included the Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SE, and John Cooper Works models, each with distinct drivetrains. The Cooper models featured a turbocharged three-cylinder engine, while the Cooper S and John Cooper Works boasted a more powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The Cooper SE was a plug-in hybrid with a modest electric range. Special editions like the Untamed Edition added unique features and styling elements, enhancing the MINI's distinctive appeal.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform with the Tundra pickup, showcasing similar design elements such as hexagonal grilles and muscular stances. The exterior colour significantly influenced its appearance, with the Capstone model featuring chrome accents and a Celestial Silver finish. Inside, the Sequoia mirrored the Tundra's blocky, geometric dashboard design, complete with physical dials and buttons for climate control. The Capstone trim offered semi-aniline leather upholstery, while other trims featured SofTex leatherette or standard leather. The Sequoia's interior was spacious, with power-adjustable front seats and a power-tilt and -slide moonroof standard across the lineup. The Sequoia's design was functional, though some found it slightly dated.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered a range of performance options, with the John Cooper Works model standing out for its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 301 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. This model accelerated to 100 km/h in approximately 5 seconds, making it the choice for speed enthusiasts. The Cooper S, with its 189 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque, provided a zippy and athletic driving experience, reaching 100 km/h in about 7.3 seconds. The Countryman excelled in daily driving scenarios, though it wasn't designed for off-road adventures. Fuel economy was decent, with a combined rating of 9.1 L/100 km, though real-world testing showed slightly higher consumption.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia featured the iForce MAX hybrid powertrain, combining a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor, producing 427 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. This hybrid setup improved fuel economy to 11.7 L/100 km combined with 4WD, a significant improvement over its predecessor. The Sequoia's 10-speed automatic transmission operated smoothly, and its on-road handling was adequate for its class. The TRD Off-Road model offered adventure-ready features like unique tires, an off-road suspension, and driver-assist technologies. The Sequoia's towing capacity reached 4,137 kg, with optional towing upgrades available.

The 2024 MINI Countryman provided seating for four adults, with supportive front seats and ample rear legroom. While it technically seated five, the rear seat was more comfortable for four passengers. The Countryman's compact dimensions made parking easy, though it lacked some advanced parking technologies. Interior storage was reasonable, but the smartphone charging pad obstructed access to the tray beneath it. Cargo space was limited, with 498 litres behind the rear seats and 1,348 litres with the seats folded.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia offered a spacious interior, with automatic power-deploying running boards for easier access. Cargo space reached a maximum of 2,460 litres with both rear rows folded. The third-row seats, positioned above the hybrid battery, reduced headroom and legroom, making them less comfortable for taller passengers. Second-row captain's chairs were available on higher trims, providing comfort but lacking bolstering. The Sequoia's interior dimensions placed it behind some rivals in terms of legroom, but it offered a practical and functional layout.

The 2024 MINI Countryman featured a user-friendly infotainment system with an 8.8-inch touchscreen, utilizing BMW's iDrive technology. It offered multiple interaction methods, including touchscreen, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. While the system lacked Android Auto, it supported Apple CarPlay. A 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system was available, enhancing the audio experience.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with a comprehensive suite of technology features. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the SR5 trim and a 14-inch screen on higher trims. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system prioritized functionality, and the driver information display was a full-colour 12.3-inch unit. The Panoramic View monitor and a 10-inch head-up display were standard on higher trims, enhancing convenience and safety. The 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system was available on select trims, providing excellent sound quality.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered basic safety features, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. It lacked some advanced driver assistance systems, such as blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist. The Countryman received a Good rating in crashworthiness evaluations from the IIHS.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite, including a pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. Front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. The Sequoia's optional trailer backup guide with Straight-Path Assist was available on higher trims. While the Sequoia hadn't been rated by safety organizations, the similar Toyota Tundra received a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS.