MINI Countryman vs Cadillac LYRIQ

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was a striking vehicle with a design that commanded attention. Its exterior styling was reminiscent of a long sedan, despite being an SUV, with a long hood and low ground clearance. The vertical light bars and LED headlights added a modern touch, while the grille and lighting effects enhanced its unique style. Inside, the LYRIQ boasted luxurious details, such as leather-wrapped seats and polished controls, though the floating centre console was less practical. The 33-inch OLED display was a standout feature, offering a sleek and integrated look without overwhelming the interior.

In contrast, the 2025 MINI Countryman embraced traditional Mini design elements with a modern twist. Its wide-eyed headlights, floating roof, and Union Jack taillights were wrapped in contemporary sheet metal. The Countryman offered various customization options, allowing it to range from a conservative crossover to a performance SUV. Inside, the Countryman featured comfortable seating with upscale artificial leather and good visibility. The interior was stylish, with ambient lighting and unique storage solutions, though the back seat remained snug for larger passengers.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sporty appearance, prioritized comfort over sportiness. It excelled on highways, offering a calm and poised ride with a dual-motor powertrain producing 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. The LYRIQ's range was impressive, with a claimed 505 kilometres for rear-wheel drive and 494 km for all-wheel drive, though real-world conditions saw slightly lower figures. However, its handling was hindered by its weight, affecting agility and steering feel. The regenerative braking system was a welcome feature, but the overall chassis needed refinement.

The 2025 MINI Countryman S, powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivered 241 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated to 100 km/h in about 6.4 seconds, offering a zippy and nimble driving experience. The Countryman featured different driving modes, including a Go Kart mode for spirited driving. However, its refinement was lacking, with clunky shifting from the dual-clutch transmission and a noisy ride. The steering was quick but lacked precision, and the brakes were touchy, affecting driver confidence. Despite these issues, the Countryman was fun to drive, though fuel economy could have been better.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ offered generous headroom and legroom, with a spacious back seat typical of EVs. However, its cargo space was limited, with 793 litres behind the seats and 1,722 litres when folded. The interior had some functionality issues, such as a difficult-to-access glovebox and a small centre cubby. The floating console was more of a design element than a practical feature, and some controls were cumbersome to use.

The 2025 MINI Countryman provided seating for four adults comfortably, though squeezing in a fifth passenger was not advisable. The front seats were comfortable, and the interior offered good visibility and a surround-view camera system. The back seat was snug but comfortable, with added features like air vents and USB ports. Cargo space was generous, with 708 litres available and 1,591 litres with the rear seats folded. The Countryman also featured unique storage solutions, adding to its practicality.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 33-inch OLED screen with three sections, offering touch-enabled controls and a large, legible instrument cluster. The infotainment system ran native Google Maps and Google Assistant, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The Super Cruise system was a highlight, providing hands-free driving capabilities, while the 19-speaker AKG stereo offered excellent sound quality.

The 2025 MINI Countryman had a 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 audio system. The Intelligent Personal Assistant was inactive during testing, and the interface was cluttered, making it challenging to navigate. The head-up display was helpful, providing essential information without distracting from the road.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ came standard with forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system. However, it received a poor rating for its headlights from the IIHS and had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA.

The 2025 MINI Countryman was well-equipped with safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. It also offered adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist as part of the Driving Assistant Professional package. The Countryman was named a "Top Safety Pick" by the IIHS in 2024, highlighting its strong safety credentials.