2025 Toyota Sienna vs 2024 MINI Countryman

The 2024 MINI Countryman was a vehicle that embraced its playful and distinctive design, showcasing classic MINI styling cues. It featured an erect wraparound windshield, a floating roof reminiscent of a bimini top, and Union Jack taillights that proudly declared 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 limited electric driving range. Special editions like the Untamed Edition added unique features and styling elements. The MINI Countryman provided a unique and unmistakable experience, standing out in a sea of bland small SUVs.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Sienna attempted to bring style to the minivan segment, although its trapezoidal grille and overall design still resembled the boxy shape typical of minivans. The Sienna featured upswept body lines, hidden sliding door tracks, and narrow taillights that added a touch of sophistication. The Platinum package introduced new flower-petal wheel designs. Despite these efforts, the Sienna retained its minivan identity, prioritizing practicality with seating for up to eight passengers. The top-of-the-line Limited trim with the Platinum package offered a luxurious experience, featuring Magnetic Grey paint and a range of premium features. Toyota updated the Sienna's interior for 2025, but opinions on the new woodgrain finish were mixed. While the Sienna's interior was considered an improvement, it still faced challenges in terms of aesthetics and comfort.

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 and all-wheel drive. The JCW could accelerate to 100 km/h in approximately 5 seconds, making it a thrilling choice for those seeking speed. The Cooper S, 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 urban driving, offering a balance of performance and practicality. However, its fuel economy was slightly below expectations, averaging 9.3 L/100 km during testing.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It delivered a net horsepower rating of 245, which was adequate for a minivan of its size. The Sienna's hybrid system provided immediate torque from the electric assist motor, ensuring it didn't feel sluggish, even with a full load of passengers. While the Sienna excelled in city driving and offered a quiet highway experience, the CVT's noise during hard acceleration was noticeable. The Sienna's primary focus was on fuel efficiency, with a Natural Resources Canada rating of 6.6 L/100 km in combined driving. However, during testing, it averaged 8.9 L/100 km. The Sienna's handling was predictable and secure, but it lacked the engaging driving dynamics of the MINI Countryman.

Inside the 2024 MINI Countryman, there was room 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 pleasure to grip. While the Countryman had seatbelts for five, it was more comfortable with four passengers. Rear legroom and foot space were adequate, but squeezing in a fifth person was challenging. The Countryman's compact dimensions made parking easy, although it lacked 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 down.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna prioritized form and function, offering innovative seating and cargo solutions. The front seats were power-adjustable and heated, but their cushions felt hard during long drives. The Platinum package included second-row captain's chairs with ottoman-style leg rests, which were popular with passengers. The third-row seat accommodated adults comfortably, and the sliding side doors made loading and unloading easy. Storage space was generous, with a wide tray under the centre console. However, finding secure places for large water bottles was a challenge. The Sienna's cargo capacity was impressive, with 949 litres behind the third-row seat and 2,129 litres with the third-row seats stowed. Maximum cargo capacity reached 2,860 litres, although it fell short compared to some rivals due to the lack of removable second-row seats.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered a practical approach to technology. It featured a small digital instrumentation display and a head-up display (HUD) that projected information on a small screen. The 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, housed in a round casing reminiscent of classic MINI speedometers, used BMW's iDrive technology. Users could interact with the system through various methods, including the touchscreen, steering wheel controls, a control knob, and voice recognition. While the system lacked Android Auto, it supported Apple CarPlay. The available 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system delivered excellent audio quality.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Sienna boasted advanced technology features. Higher-spec models came with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display for the Toyota Audio Multimedia (TAM) system. The Limited trim with the Platinum package included a four-zone automatic climate control system, a 10-inch HUD, and a camera-based digital rearview mirror. The TAM system offered access to various connected services plans, with the digital assistant providing accurate responses to voice commands. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the 12-speaker JBL premium audio system delivered powerful sound. The Sienna's four-zone climate control system and digital rearview camera added to its convenience and functionality.

The 2024 MINI Countryman had a limited set of 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 standard. However, the Countryman lacked blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and other advanced safety features. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Countryman as Good in crashworthiness evaluations.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna, while not equipped with the latest Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 3.0, featured TSS 2.0, which included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna also had blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The TSS 2.0 system provided a more straightforward and less intrusive driving experience. The Sienna introduced a new rear-seat reminder system, enhancing safety for families. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Sienna a five-star overall rating, although it received lower scores in frontal crash tests.