2023 Toyota 4Runner vs 2024 MINI Countryman

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition (40 ASE) was based on the SR5 Premium trim level and added $4,505 to its price. This included a standard four-wheel-drive system, retro body stripes, a heritage grille design, bronze 17-inch wheels, and various bronze badges and stitching. The 40 ASE was available only in black, white, or red paint with a black artificial leather interior. The 4Runner lineup included several trims, with prices ranging from $39,555 to $54,020, plus a $1,335 destination charge. The 40 ASE test vehicle had no options and an MSRP of $48,455. The 4Runner's design evoked a strong SoCal vibe with its retro stripes and bronze wheels, reminiscent of the 1970s. Its truck-based SUV stance and purposeful interior, despite the abundance of plastic, offered a solid and quality feel. The controls were easy to locate and use, even with gloves on.

The 2024 MINI Countryman embraced classic Mini styling cues, featuring an erect wraparound windshield, a floating roof, and Union Jack tail lights. It offered numerous paint, roof, and mirror cap treatments, along with multiple wheel designs. The lineup included Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SE, and John Cooper Works models, each with different drivetrains. The Cooper S and John Cooper Works versions used a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while the Cooper SE was a plug-in hybrid. The test car, a Cooper S with Iconic trim, had dark-tinted privacy glass, an adaptive damping suspension, and 19-inch wheels. The MSRP was $41,945, including a $995 destination charge. The Iconic trim added premium leather, power-adjustable front seats, a head-up display, wireless smartphone charging, and a semi-autonomous parking system. The Countryman's interior design and switchgear retained classic Mini character, and the dual-panel moonroof allowed plenty of natural light into the cabin.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 278 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. A five-speed automatic transmission sent power to the rear wheels unless upgraded to a 4WD system. The 4Runner had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and an EPA fuel economy rating of 17 mpg in combined driving, with an observed average of 16.9 mpg. It offered a minimum of nine inches of ground clearance and various off-roading technologies, including Hill-Start Assist Control, Downhill Assist Control, and Active Traction Control. The TRD Sport and Limited trims had suspensions designed for on-road performance, while the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims focused on off-road capabilities. The 4Runner excelled in off-roading, handling thick mud and standing water with ease. However, its on-road performance was less impressive, with leisurely acceleration, heavy and slow steering, and a brake pedal that lacked responsiveness. The 4Runner's body-on-frame construction made it more suitable for off-road adventures than daily driving.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered different performance levels depending on the model. The John Cooper Works (JCW) model featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 301 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. It could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. The Cooper S model, with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, produced 189 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. It came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission for front-wheel drive or an eight-speed sport automatic for all-wheel drive. The Cooper S could reach 60 mph in 7.2 seconds (7.1 seconds with all-wheel drive). The Countryman excelled in daily driving, offering a zippy and athletic feel. However, it was less engaging in canyon carving and off-road adventures. The test vehicle had an EPA fuel economy rating of 28 mpg in combined driving, with an observed average of 25.4 mpg.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner's power-down rear window in the tailgate, combined with the sunroof and automatic windows, provided excellent flow-through ventilation. The 4Runner's seats were comfortable, with the Limited trim offering heated and ventilated leather seats, while the 40 ASE had SofTex artificial leather and heated front cushions. The second-row seating area was roomy, with good legroom, headroom, air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports. The optional third-row seat was uncomfortable and reduced cargo space. The cargo area featured several storage cubbies, trays, and a 120-volt AC power outlet. Without the third-row seat, the 4Runner offered 46.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seat and a maximum of 89.7 cubic feet behind the front seats.

The 2024 MINI Countryman accommodated four adults and their luggage for a week-long road trip. The Iconic trim added dual-zone automatic climate control, premium leather upholstery, power-adjustable heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The seats were small but supportive, and the steering wheel was comfortable to grip. The rear seat provided enough legroom and foot room for four adults, though squeezing in a fifth person was challenging. The Countryman's outward visibility was excellent, and its compact dimensions made parking easy. Interior storage was reasonable, but the smartphone charging pad blocked access to the tray beneath it. The cargo area held 17.6 cubic feet of luggage behind the back seat, expandable to 47.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The Cooper SE PHEV model had slightly smaller cargo measurements.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured traditional analog gauges with a narrow digital driver information center and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The infotainment system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Connected services plans were available, and the 4Runner could be transformed into a Wi-Fi hotspot. Upgrades included a navigation system, additional connected services, and a JBL premium sound system. The infotainment system's home screen displayed multiple functions simultaneously, and the voice recognition system performed well, though it struggled with some commands.

The 2024 MINI Countryman had a small digital instrumentation display and a head-up display projecting information on a small screen. The 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, housed in a round housing reminiscent of classic Mini models, used BMW's iDrive technology. It offered five ways to interact with the system: touchscreen, volume and tuning controls, steering wheel controls, a control knob and buttons on the center console, and voice recognition. The system lacked Android Auto but included Apple CarPlay. The Iconic trim added a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, which provided excellent sound quality.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, and a rear-seat reminder system. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all trims. The adaptive cruise control performed well, but the lane-departure warning could be irritating. The 4Runner received a four-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with three-star ratings for front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it a Marginal rating for driver protection in the small overlap frontal-impact test.

The 2024 MINI Countryman had fewer advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). It included Active Driving Assistant, which provided 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 standard, and adaptive cruise control was available with the Signature or Iconic trim. The Countryman lacked blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and a surround-view camera system. The IIHS gave the Countryman the highest rating of Good in the crashworthiness evaluations it performed.