MINI Countryman vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2025 MINI Countryman presented a charming blend of traditional Mini design elements and modern aesthetics. It featured wide-eyed headlights, a floating roof available in various colours, and vertical Union Jack taillights, all wrapped in contemporary sheet metal. Depending on the model and customization choices, the Countryman could appear as a conservative crossover or a performance-oriented SUV. The interior, with its Petrol Blue fabric and Vintage Brown artificial leather, exuded quality and style, making it a standout in a market filled with mundane crossovers.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid adopted a more conservative and familiar design, reminiscent of the popular RAV4 but on a larger scale. This approach resulted in a vehicle that offered seating for up to eight and ample cargo space, making it a practical choice for families. The interior emphasized functionality, with a layer of luxury in the Platinum trim. Despite some use of hard plastics, the overall material quality was decent, and the controls were logically laid out, contributing to a user-friendly experience.

The 2025 MINI Countryman S was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 241 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. 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 the spirited Go Kart mode, which enhanced its nimble and zippy nature. However, the lack of refinement in the powertrain, noise isolation, and ride compliance detracted from the overall experience. The steering lacked precision, and the brakes were touchy, making them difficult to modulate. Fuel economy was estimated at 8.7 litres per 100 kilometres, but real-world testing returned 9.6 L/100 km.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max focused on performance with its turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD, delivering 362 net horsepower. This setup provided satisfying acceleration and a smooth ride, with the traditional six-speed automatic transmission avoiding the droning common in CVTs. The Hybrid Max achieved a combined fuel economy rating of 8.8 L/100 km, with real-world testing showing 9.1 L/100 km. It also offered a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms. The ride quality was soft and isolating, though undulations in the road could cause some vertical bounding and lateral rocking. Handling was secure, but the tires scrubbed and squealed early when pushed hard.

The 2025 MINI Countryman offered seating for four adults, with the option to squeeze in a fifth passenger, though not recommended. The front seats were comfortable, and the artificial Vescin leather added an upscale touch. Visibility was good, aided by oversized side mirrors and an excellent surround-view camera system. The back seat, while snug, was comfortable for teenagers, and features like air vents, USB charging ports, and a panoramic sunroof enhanced passenger satisfaction. Cargo space was generous, with 708 litres behind the rear seats and 1,591 litres with the seats folded.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid provided comfortable seating in all three rows, with a maximum cargo space of over 2,700 litres. The Platinum trim featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery, adding a touch of luxury. The front and second-row seats offered heating, ventilation, and supportive cushions. However, the long rear doors required ample space to open, making it challenging to buckle a child into a safety seat. The second-row captain’s chairs allowed for easy access to the third row, which was comfortable for adults and tall teens. Cargo space was ample, with 586 litres behind the third row and 2,761 litres with the second row folded.

The 2025 MINI Countryman featured a 9.4-inch OLED touchscreen infotainment display, though it received mixed reviews. It included cloud-based navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system. The Intelligent Personal Assistant, Spike, was inactive during testing, and the depth of menus and settings could be overwhelming. A head-up display provided helpful information, compensating for the cluttered centre display.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. The system was easy to use, though the inability to view multiple main-menu screens simultaneously was a drawback. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to commands, and the Platinum trim included a head-up display, digital rear-view mirror, and surround-view camera system. The JBL premium audio system delivered impressive sound quality.

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

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including lane keep assist and Proactive Driving Assist. While the safety tech operated accurately, the PDA system was found to be irritating. The Grand Highlander earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but fell short of the IIHS Top Safety Pick due to “Acceptable” ratings for headlight performance and small overlap frontal-impact protection.