MINI Countryman vs Toyota Corolla Cross

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross presented a conservative design, pulling back from Toyota's recent daring styles. Its snub nose was reminiscent of the Toyota Tundra, and it featured the obligatory tall ride height and plastic fender flares typical of SUVs. However, the overall look was understated, perhaps to ensure it didn't overshadow the larger RAV4. The Corolla Cross was compact, being 13.5 centimetres shorter than the RAV4, yet larger than the Toyota C-HR, offering more interior space. Subtle styling details included scalloping around the rear door handles and mirrors, and hidden Corolla Cross logos throughout the vehicle. The interior mirrored the Corolla sedan and hatchback, with oversized door handles akin to the RAV4. Material quality was perceived as below that of the Corolla sedan and hatch, with the base L model feeling basic, while the XLE offered SofTex leatherette upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The 2025 MINI Countryman was fundamentally appealing, featuring traditional Mini cues like wide-eyed headlights and a floating roof, wrapped in modern sheet metal. Depending on the model, paint, and interior choices, it could appear as a conservative crossover or a performance SUV. The Countryman S was popular, the John Cooper Works (JCW) offered power and performance, and the SE was an electric model with a 341-kilometre range. Canadian prices ranged from $49,269 for the Countryman S to $63,269 for the Countryman SE. Our test vehicle, a Countryman S, featured Premier+ trim, Favoured style, and bright British Racing Green paint. The interior boasted Vintage Brown artificial leather seats and an adaptive damping suspension. Despite some reservations about the faint gold tint on the trim and wheels, the Countryman made a bold statement with its style and customization options.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross was equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 169 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with an actual first gear for responsive acceleration. While acceleration from stop lights was impressive, the transition to normal CVT operation was abrupt. At higher speeds, the powertrain exhibited typical CVT issues like engine droning and rubber-banding. The Corolla Cross felt solid on highways, though the engine worked hard to maintain pace. The optional AWD system, similar to the Toyota Camry's, could send 10% to 50% of torque to the rear wheels. Despite its SUV-like ground clearance of 20.8 centimetres, the Corolla Cross wasn't designed for off-roading, and its towing capacity was 680 kilograms.

The 2025 MINI Countryman S featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, generating 241 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It had a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) and standard all-wheel drive. The Countryman could accelerate to 100 km/h in approximately 6.4 seconds and had a towing capacity of 1,587 kilograms. The Mini Experiences toggle switch allowed customization of driving dynamics and the infotainment display. However, the Countryman lacked refinement, with clunky shifting and a lack of paddle shifters. Despite these issues, the Countryman was quick and nimble, especially in Go Kart mode with the adaptive suspension and 20-inch wheels. However, it lacked powertrain refinement, noise isolation, and ride compliance, making it feel brittle on anything but smooth pavement. The steering had an on-centre dead spot, and the brakes were touchy and inconsistent.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross offered more passenger and cargo space than the Corolla hatchback, with extra rear legroom and headroom. It featured standard rear climate-control vents and dual-zone automatic climate control on XLE models. The Corolla Cross provided 750 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,890 litres with them folded. However, the interior wasn't particularly comfortable, with hard and unsupportive seats. The tall, upright driving position felt SUV-like, but storage spaces were minimal.

The 2025 MINI Countryman accommodated four adults comfortably, though a fifth passenger would be cramped. The front seats were comfortable, and the artificial Vescin leather felt upscale. Visibility was good, aided by oversized side mirrors and an excellent surround-view camera system. The Countryman was roomier than its predecessor, with a snug but comfortable back seat. Storage was generous, with a power tailgate revealing 708 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,591 litres with the rear seats folded. The storage solutions were unique, with a funky storage box on the centre console and a deep tray for larger items.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen on base models, with an 8-inch touchscreen on LE and XLE models. The XLE also had a 7-inch digital instrument cluster. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility were standard, along with Bluetooth and SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was user-friendly but lacked sophistication, with plain graphics and slow boot-up times. The Corolla Cross LE and XLE models included pushbutton start, while the base L required a key.

The 2025 MINI Countryman had a 9.4-inch OLED touchscreen infotainment display, using the latest Mini operating system. It included cloud-based navigation, three connected services plans, and a Mini smartphone app. The Countryman offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and smartphone charging, along with 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 extensive, requiring familiarity to navigate effectively. A head-up display provided helpful information, given the cluttered centre display.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. It featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and Lane Tracing Assist. The Corolla Cross LE added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while XLE models included front and rear park assist with automatic braking.

The 2025 MINI Countryman was well-equipped with safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring with active steering input. It also had automatic high-beam headlights, parking sensors, and Mini Assist eCall. The Driving Assistant Professional upgrade offered adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist. The Countryman was named a "Top Safety Pick" by the IIHS in 2024.