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, seemingly to avoid overshadowing its larger sibling, the RAV4. The Corolla Cross was notably compact, being 5.3 inches 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 closely resembled 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, though the XLE trim 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 and customization, it could appear as a conservative crossover or a performance SUV. The Cooper S was the popular choice, with the John Cooper Works (JCW) offering more power, and the SE being an electric model with an estimated 212-mile range. Prices ranged from $38,900 for the Cooper S to $46,900 for the JCW. Our test vehicle, a Cooper S with Iconic trim and Favoured style, featured bright British Racing Green paint and 20-inch wheels, making a bold statement. The interior was stylish, with Vintage Brown artificial leather seats and a Petrol Blue fabric dashboard. Despite some criticisms of the faint gold tint on the trim and wheels, the Countryman was seen as a stylish and quality vehicle, offering a sense of value in a market filled with mundane crossovers.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross was equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 169 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT featured an actual first gear for better acceleration, though it transitioned abruptly to normal CVT operation. At higher speeds, the powertrain exhibited typical CVT issues like engine droning and rubber-banding. While not a liability on highways, the engine worked hard to maintain pace. The optional AWD system, similar to that in the Toyota Camry, could send 10% to 50% of torque to the rear wheels. Despite its SUV-like ground clearance, the Corolla Cross wasn't designed for off-roading, and its towing capacity was limited to 1,500 pounds.

The 2025 MINI Countryman Cooper S boasted a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 241 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) and standard AWD. It accelerated to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds and had a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The Countryman offered different driving modes, altering engine sound and driving dynamics. However, the lack of refinement was noted, with the engine stop/start and brake hold features causing a lack of smoothness. The DCT's clunky shifting and absence of paddle shifters could be irritating for some. Despite these issues, the Countryman was described as zippy and fun to drive, especially in Go Kart mode. However, its lack of powertrain refinement and noise isolation could become tiresome, with a choppy ride on uneven surfaces and touchy brakes.

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 in XLE models. Cargo space was 26.5 cubic feet with FWD and 25.2 cubic feet with AWD, expanding to 66.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While spacious for its segment, the interior was not particularly comfortable, with hard and unsupportive seats and a tall, upright driving position.

The 2025 MINI Countryman provided seating for four adults, with comfortable front seats and upscale artificial leather. Visibility was good, aided by oversized side mirrors and an excellent surround-view camera system. The new model was roomier, though the back seat remained snug. Storage was generous and sometimes unusual, with a funky storage box on the center console. The power tailgate revealed 25 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 56.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, on par with the small SUV segment.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen on base models, with an 8-inch screen on LE and XLE models. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, WiFi, and Amazon Alexa compatibility were standard, with a nine-speaker JBL audio system as an optional upgrade. The infotainment system was user-friendly but not fancy, with plain graphics and slow boot-up. Two front USB-A ports were standard, with an additional rear port and wireless charging on LE models. Pushbutton start was available only on LE and XLE models.

The 2025 MINI Countryman had a 9.4-inch OLED touchscreen with the latest Mini operating system. It included cloud-based navigation, connected services, and a smartphone app. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and smartphone charging were standard, along with a Harman Kardon audio system. An Intelligent Personal Assistant named Spike was supposed to recognize voice commands, though it was inactive in the test vehicle. The infotainment system was complex, with a cluttered display and a head-up display providing helpful information.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross came with standard driver-assist tech under Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and more. LE models added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while XLE models included rear automatic braking and park assist. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time of review.

The 2025 MINI Countryman was well-equipped with safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. It also had adaptive cruise control with Assisted Driving and Assisted Driving Plus technologies. The Countryman was named a "Top Safety Pick" by the IIHS in 2024, indicating its strong safety performance.