2025 MINI Countryman vs 2026 Lexus TX

The 2025 MINI Countryman was a visually appealing vehicle, maintaining its traditional Mini design elements such as wide-eyed headlights, a floating roof available in various colours, and vertical Union Jack taillights. These features were wrapped in modern sheet metal, giving it a contemporary look. Depending on the model, paint, interior, and wheels, the Countryman could either present as a conservative crossover or a custom-tailored performance SUV. The interior was stylish, with a sense of quality that made it seem like a bargain compared to other crossover SUVs. The Favoured style package added unique touches like Petrol Blue fabric made from recycled polyester on the dashboard, which continued onto the upper door panels, creating a soothing ambiance with ambient light projections at night.

The 2026 Lexus TX, on the other hand, offered a more luxurious and spacious design. It featured a large grille reminiscent of the older “spindle grille” shape, complemented by sharp bi-LED headlights and rear LED lighting that spanned the vehicle's width. The interior provided three colour options: standard grey, Birch, and Peppercorn, with ambient lighting adding warmth to the cabin. However, the material quality was not up to luxury car standards, with basic plastic elements scattered throughout. The redesigned door handles were a unique feature, reacting to pressure rather than pulling out, which some might find unnecessary. Overall, the TX presented a modern and spacious design, though it lacked the refinement expected in a luxury vehicle.

The 2025 MINI Countryman S was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 241 horsepower between 4,500 rpm and 6,500 rpm, and 295 pound-feet of torque from 1,500 rpm to 4,000 rpm. It featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, allowing it to accelerate to 100 km/h in approximately 6.4 seconds. The Countryman offered different driving modes, including Core and Go Kart, which altered the driving dynamics and engine sound. However, the vehicle lacked refinement, with a clunky dual-clutch transmission and a noisy ride. Despite these issues, the Countryman was quick and nimble, providing a fun driving experience, especially in Go Kart mode with the optional adaptive suspension and larger wheels.

The 2026 Lexus TX 350 came with a 275-horsepower 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while the TX 500h hybrid boosted output to 366 horsepower. The gas model featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrid used a six-speed automatic. The TX 350 had electronically controlled full-time all-wheel drive, and the TX 500h included Lexus’s Direct4 AWD system. The vehicle offered Normal, Eco, and Sport drive modes, with Sport mode increasing throttle sensitivity for a more immediate response. The TX 500h also came with adaptive suspension and rear steering for improved handling. While not designed as a sports car, the TX provided a comfortable and responsive driving experience.

The 2025 MINI Countryman offered seating for four adults, with the option to squeeze in a fifth passenger, though it was not advisable. The front seats were comfortable, and the artificial Vescin leather added an upscale feel. Visibility was good, aided by oversized side mirrors and an excellent surround-view camera system. The new Countryman was roomier than its predecessor, making it suitable for a family of four, though the back seat remained snug. Storage was generous, with a power tailgate revealing 708 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,591 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2026 Lexus TX provided a spacious interior with three-zone automatic climate control, heated and cooled front seats, and heated second-row seats. The third row was remarkably spacious, with a recline function and ample headroom. The second row featured captain’s chairs with a removable centre console, though folding the seats flat was complicated. The front seats were roomy but lacked thigh support. The TX offered excellent cargo space, with 572 litres available with all seats in place, expanding to 2,747 litres with all rear seats folded. The vehicle could tow up to 2,268 kilograms when properly equipped.

The 2025 MINI Countryman featured a new 9.4-inch OLED touchscreen infotainment display, though it received mixed reviews. It included cloud-based navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system. An Intelligent Personal Assistant named Spike was supposed to recognize natural commands, but it was inactive in the test vehicle. The depth of menus and settings was overwhelming, but a head-up display provided helpful information.

The 2026 Lexus TX had a 14-inch touchscreen that was easy to use, though some features lacked polish. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but connectivity issues were noted. The vehicle required a subscription for in-dash navigation and other features. The back-up camera was clear, and the Advanced Park system could handle parking duties. The TX offered seven USB ports and wireless charging, ensuring devices stayed powered.

The 2025 MINI Countryman was well-equipped with safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. An adaptive cruise control system with stop-and-go capability was available. The Countryman received a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS in 2024.

The 2026 Lexus TX came with Safety System+ 3.0, including forward collision warning, lane tracing assist, and traffic sign recognition. The adaptive cruise control worked well, though it was initially confusing to set up. The TX received a five-star crash safety rating from the NHTSA and an “Acceptable” rating from the IIHS for the small overlap front crash test on the driver’s side.