2024 Toyota Sequoia vs 2024 MINI Countryman

The 2024 MINI Countryman was a vehicle that embraced its playful and distinctive design, staying true to its British roots with classic styling cues like the Union Jack tail lights. It featured a wraparound windshield and a floating roof, giving it a unique appearance. Buyers had the option to customize their Countryman with various paint treatments and wheel designs, although dark tinted rear privacy glass was an optional feature rather than standard. The lineup included several models, each with different drivetrains, from the underpowered Cooper to the plug-in hybrid Cooper SE, and the more powerful Cooper S and John Cooper Works versions. The test car, a Cooper S with Iconic trim, came with premium features like leather upholstery, a head-up display, and a semi-autonomous parking system, all for an MSRP of $41,945.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform with the Tundra pickup, featuring design elements like hexagonal grilles and muscular stances. The exterior color significantly influenced its appearance, with the Capstone model showcasing more chrome and a Celestial Silver finish. Inside, the Sequoia resembled the Tundra with a blocky dashboard layout and physical controls for climate and audio. The Capstone trim boasted semi-aniline leather upholstery, power-adjustable seats, and a spacious center console. The Sequoia offered a range of seating options, including captain's chairs in higher trims, and provided ample cargo space, although the third-row seats didn't fold flat due to the hybrid powertrain's battery pack.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered a range of performance options, with the John Cooper Works model standing out for its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 301 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. This model could accelerate to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds, making it the choice for those seeking speed. The Cooper S, with its 189 hp engine, provided a zippy and athletic driving experience, reaching 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. While the Countryman excelled in daily driving scenarios, it wasn't designed for off-road adventures. The test vehicle achieved an EPA fuel economy rating of 28 mpg in combined driving, although real-world testing yielded 25.4 mpg.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia, on the other hand, was exclusively offered in a hybrid format, featuring the iForce MAX hybrid powertrain with a twin-turbo V6 engine and an electric motor. This setup delivered 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, a significant improvement over its predecessor. The Sequoia's fuel economy also saw a boost, with a rating of 20 mpg combined with 4WD. The TRD Pro model was equipped for off-road adventures with features like a skid plate and all-terrain tires. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 9,520 pounds, making it a capable choice for those needing to tow heavy loads.

Inside the 2024 MINI Countryman, there was room for four adults and their luggage, making it suitable for road trips. The Iconic trim added features like dual-zone automatic climate control, premium leather upholstery, and power-adjustable heated front seats. While the Countryman had seatbelts for five, it was more comfortable for four passengers. The SUV's compact dimensions made parking easy, although it lacked some advanced parking technologies. Cargo space was limited, with 17.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 47.6 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia offered a more spacious interior, with a maximum cargo capacity of 86.9 cubic feet when both the second and third rows were folded. The Capstone trim featured automatic power-deploying running boards for easier access. The Sequoia's third-row seats didn't fold flat due to the hybrid powertrain's battery pack, affecting headroom and legroom. Second-row captain's chairs were available in higher trims, providing comfort but lacking bolstering. The Sequoia's interior dimensions placed it behind some rivals in terms of legroom, but it offered a comfortable ride for passengers.

The 2024 MINI Countryman wasn't a technology powerhouse, but it offered useful features. The test vehicle had a head-up display and an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with multiple interaction methods, including a control knob and voice recognition. While the system lacked Android Auto, it supported Apple CarPlay. The Iconic trim included a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, providing excellent audio quality.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with a range of technology features. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the SR5 trim and a 14-inch screen on higher trims. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system prioritized functionality over flashiness. The Sequoia featured a 12.3-inch driver-information display and a Panoramic View monitor, enhancing visibility. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system, providing a premium audio experience.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered a limited set of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). It included Active Driving Assistant with features like forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. Adaptive cruise control was available on higher trims, but the Countryman lacked blind-spot monitoring and other advanced safety technologies. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Countryman as Good in crashworthiness evaluations.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Sequoia came with a comprehensive suite of safety features as standard. The Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.5 suite included a pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and road-sign recognition. The Sequoia also featured blind-spot monitoring with Trailer Merge Warning, enhancing safety when towing. The Tow Technology Package added a digital rearview mirror and trailer backup guide. While the Sequoia hadn't been rated by safety organizations, the similar Toyota Tundra earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS.