2025 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2024 MINI Countryman

The 2024 MINI Countryman was a vehicle that embraced its playful and distinctive design, staying true to the classic MINI styling cues. It featured an erect wraparound windshield, a floating roof reminiscent of a bimini top, and Union Jack taillights that proudly showcased its British heritage. The Countryman offered a variety of customization options, including numerous paint treatments, roof and mirror cap colours, and multiple wheel designs. In Canada, the Countryman ALL4 lineup included various models, each with different drivetrain options. The Cooper models had a turbocharged three-cylinder engine, while the Cooper S and John Cooper Works versions boasted a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The Cooper SE was a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle with a modest electric driving range. Special editions like the Untamed Edition added unique features and styling elements. The MINI Countryman provided a unique experience with its jaunty styling and retro interior design, standing out in a sea of bland small SUVs.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, on the other hand, was a luxury SUV that aimed to deliver a high-tech experience. The RX 500h F Sport Black Line test vehicle featured an exclusive Incognito paint job and orange brake calipers, but its overall design was unremarkable. The RX lineup included three hybrid models, each with different power outputs and fuel efficiency ratings. The RX 350h was the base model, offering 246 horsepower and impressive fuel economy. The RX 450h+ was a plug-in hybrid with a larger battery pack, providing an estimated 60 kilometres of electric-only driving range. The RX 500h was the most powerful, with a turbocharged engine and sport-tuned suspension. The RX Hybrid models came with standard all-wheel drive and a range of packages to choose from. Inside, the RX offered a contemporary interior with quality materials and ambient lighting, although some ergonomic issues were noted. The RX Hybrid aimed to provide a luxurious and technologically advanced driving experience.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered a range of performance options, with the John Cooper Works (JCW) model standing out as the most powerful. It featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 301 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission. The JCW could accelerate to 100 km/h in approximately 5 seconds, making it the choice for those seeking speed. The Cooper S model, with its 189 horsepower 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 commuting and errand-running, offering a fun and engaging drive. However, its fuel economy was slightly below expectations, averaging 9.3 L/100 km during testing.

In contrast, the 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a range of powertrains, with the RX 350h being the most efficient. It featured a hybrid powertrain with 246 horsepower and 233 pound-feet of torque, delivering excellent fuel economy. The RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid offered 304 horsepower and a 0-100 km/h time of 6.5 seconds. The RX 500h, with its turbocharged engine, produced 366 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, achieving 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds. The RX 500h featured a sport-tuned adaptive damping suspension and advanced all-wheel drive system, providing a rewarding driving experience. However, its fuel economy was higher than expected, averaging 13.5 L/100 km during testing. The RX 500h excelled in straight-line acceleration but lacked dynamic communication, making it more about sporty appearance than overall driving satisfaction.

The 2024 MINI Countryman provided seating for four adults and their luggage, making it suitable for a week-long road trip. The front seats were small but supportive, and the steering wheel was a delight to grip. While the Countryman had seatbelts for five, four passengers were more comfortable. The rear seat offered ample legroom and foot space, but squeezing in a fifth person was challenging. The Countryman's compact dimensions made it easy to park, although it lacked some advanced parking technologies. Interior storage was reasonable, but the smartphone charging pad blocked access to the tray beneath it. Cargo space was limited, with 498 litres behind the back seat and 1,348 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid focused on occupant comfort and practical cargo space. The RX 500h test vehicle featured heated and ventilated front seats with enhanced bolstering, although the bottom cushions were less comfortable on long drives. The panoramic sunroof extended over the rear seat, which offered power-reclining, heated, and ventilated options. The RX provided ample room for adults, making the back seat a comfortable place to spend time. Interior storage was plentiful, but the rear centre armrest lacked a lining, causing potential noise issues. The RX Hybrid offered 838 litres of cargo space, with hooks for grocery bags and a small storage area under the load floor. Folding down the second row created 1,308 litres of cargo volume, which was modest for a midsize SUV.

The 2024 MINI Countryman was not a technology powerhouse, but it offered useful features. It had a small digital instrumentation display and a head-up display (HUD) projecting information on a small screen. The 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system used BMW's iDrive technology, offering multiple ways to interact with it, including a touchscreen, volume and tuning controls, steering wheel controls, a control knob, and voice recognition. The system lacked Android Auto but provided Apple CarPlay. A 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system was available, offering a significant improvement over the standard six-speaker system.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid met the high-tech expectations of a luxury vehicle. The RX 500h F Sport Black Line featured digital key functionality, a camera-based digital rearview mirror, and a hands-free power liftgate. The modern Lexus Interface infotainment system included a 14-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a cloud-based navigation system. The RX offered generous subscriptions to connected services, including a three-year Drive Connect plan with an excellent digital voice assistant. However, the unlabeled steering wheel controls were distracting and potentially dangerous. The optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system provided excellent sound quality, but the steering wheel controls were frustrating to use.

The 2024 MINI Countryman had limited advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). It featured Active Driving Assistant, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Rear parking sensors and an emergency SOS call button were also included. Adaptive cruise control was available as an option. The Countryman lacked blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and a surround-view camera system. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Countryman as Good in crashworthiness evaluations.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered comprehensive safety features. Safety Connect provided automatic collision notification, an SOS emergency assistance button, and roadside assistance. Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (LSS+ 3.0) included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard. Proactive Driving Assist (PDA) monitored forward progress and used braking or steering input to ensure safe distances. The RX Hybrid featured a surround-view camera and Traffic Jam Assist (TJA) for hands-free driving in traffic. The RX earned a five-star safety rating from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but the IIHS rated it Poor in a moderate overlap frontal-impact test.