MINI Countryman vs Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

When the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid was redesigned in 2019, it moved away from its softer and more conventional crossover design in favor of a robust and angular look. The trapezoidal grille, borrowed from Toyota's truck lineup, added a certain heft, framed by beveled and angled bodywork that created a strong visual statement. However, in the years following its redesign, other manufacturers adopted similar styling elements, evidenced in models like the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-50.

The RAV4 Hybrid's interior carried forward the angular aesthetic with a multi-tiered dashboard featuring beveled cutouts. This design added visual interest to an otherwise unremarkable surface. The layout was quite standard for vehicles of this era, featuring an infotainment touchscreen atop the dashboard and an array of physical buttons and knobs for essential controls.

Materials quality in the RAV4 Hybrid was about average for the class and price. While there were numerous hard plastic surfaces, most touchpoints were lightly padded. The base model and the new Woodland trim notably lacked a leather-wrapped steering wheel, opting instead for a downmarket urethane wheel and center armrest that felt rubbery and cheap. Thankfully, most other trim levels included leather coverings. The build quality was strong, with no noticeable creaks or squeaks even over rough terrain.

In comparison, the 2024 MINI Countryman maintained a light-hearted, classic Mini design ethos. It featured a wraparound windshield, a floating roof that resembled a bimini top, and Union Jack tail lights that proudly declared its British heritage. Customization options were abundant, allowing consumers to dress the Countryman with various paint treatments for the body, roof, and mirror caps, alongside multiple wheel designs. However, it was odd that rear privacy glass came as an option rather than standard.

Our test 2024 Countryman, in Cooper S guise with the Iconic trim package, exuded a premium feel with its dark-tinted privacy glass, adaptive damping suspension, and 19-inch wheels wrapped in summer performance tires. The MSRP for this model was $41,945, including a $995 destination charge.

The interior of the Countryman, particularly with Iconic trim, was striking. It included premium leather, power-adjustable front seats, a head-up display, wireless smartphone charging, a semi-autonomous parking system, and a power tailgate. The cabin retained classic Mini character with digital instrumentation, an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a plethora of retro design elements. The dual-panel moonroof let ample natural light into the cabin, making for a singular experience that stood out in a sea of bland small SUVs.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid delivered a balanced performance powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor/generator. It utilized a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to drive the front wheels, with a second electric motor on the rear axle for all-wheel drive (AWD). Combined, the system produced 219 horsepower, enabling the RAV4 Hybrid to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a respectable 7.5 seconds. This put it ahead of the non-hybrid RAV4 by about half a second. Within its class, the Kia Sportage hybrid was slightly quicker, whereas the Honda CR-V Hybrid clocked in at an even 8 seconds.

The brakes on the RAV4 Hybrid operated seamlessly, with regenerative braking for everyday use and physical brakes for more aggressive stops. The suspension effectively smoothed out moderate bumps and potholes while providing confident cornering. Though not particularly sporty, the RAV4 Hybrid excelled at delivering a fundamentally sound driving experience. Its competitors were similarly calm and effortless to drive, making this segment more about reliability and comfort than sporty dynamics.

In contrast, the 2024 MINI Countryman offered a varied performance spectrum depending on the model. The base Cooper model, with its underpowered three-cylinder engine, was not particularly quick or fun to drive. The Cooper SE plug-in hybrid also fell short in terms of electric range and fuel efficiency gains. However, the Cooper S and John Cooper Works (JCW) versions were a different story.

The John Cooper Works model was the powerhouse, boasting a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that churned out 301 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque. This setup, coupled with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission, enabled the JCW to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds, making it a truly thrilling option for those who valued speed.

The Cooper S was a more balanced choice for the average driver, offering a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 189 horsepower and 206 lb-ft of torque. With front-wheel drive (FWD) and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT), the Cooper S was quick enough, reaching 60 mph in 7.2 seconds or 7.1 seconds if you opted for the AWD ALL4 version. This version felt zippy and athletic, especially during daily commutes.

While the Cooper S shone brightest in everyday driving scenarios, it was not intended for serious off-roading despite its rugged appearance. Our test car's summer performance tires and adaptive damping suspension didn't make it an engaging canyon carver, although it could outpace most small SUVs on twisty roads. The EPA fuel economy rating for our test vehicle was 28 mpg in combined driving, but our actual average stood at 25.4 mpg.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid excelled in providing ample space for its occupants. The front seats were roomy, accommodating larger passengers comfortably. The rear seats were also quite adequate for average-sized adults, although taller individuals might wish for more thigh support on long trips. The RAV4 Hybrid boasted 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, only marginally smaller than the standard RAV4. When compared to competitors like the Honda CR-V (39.5 cubic feet) and Kia Sportage (39.3 cubic feet), the differences were minor.

Interior storage in the RAV4 Hybrid was a strong point. There was a wide shelf for the front passenger and a phone tray in front of the center console, although the optional wireless charging pad was subject to availability constraints. Large cupholders, a spacious center armrest bin, and generous door pockets added to the overall storage solutions available.

In comparison, the 2024 MINI Countryman offered seating for four adults comfortably, although it technically could seat five. However, the fifth passenger would likely feel cramped unless they were a child. Our test vehicle, equipped with the Iconic trim package, featured dual-zone automatic climate control, premium leather upholstery, and power-adjustable heated front seats. The thick-rimmed heated steering wheel was a delight to grip.

Outward visibility in the Countryman was excellent, and its compact dimensions made parking a breeze. However, it lacked a surround-view camera and rear cross-traffic alert, which would have been useful. The interior storage was reasonable but hampered somewhat by the placement of the smartphone charging pad under the center armrest.

Cargo capacity in the Countryman was limited compared to the RAV4 Hybrid. It offered 17.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, and with the rear seats folded down, that expanded to 47.6 cubic feet. The Cooper SE PHEV model had slightly smaller measurements due to its battery pack. Though the rear seats could be split 40/20/40, allowing for flexibility in carrying longer items, the overall cargo space fell short of the RAV4 Hybrid’s capacity.

For 2023, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system that was a significant upgrade from previous versions. The graphics were modern and sharp, and the menus were logically arranged. The touchscreen, placed atop the dashboard, came in two sizes: a standard 8.0-inch display for most trims and a 10.5-inch display for higher trims. While the base display’s on-screen buttons were small and required precise pressing, the overall usability was good.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all RAV4 models, although wireless charging was optional. The system was capable of over-the-air updates, and connectivity options included a Wi-Fi hotspot and remote vehicle monitoring and control. The top trim also featured a fully digital instrument panel. The audio system varied from a standard six-speaker setup on most models to an 11-speaker JBL system on the Limited trim.

In contrast, the 2024 MINI Countryman was not a technological powerhouse but offered useful features. It came with a small digital instrument display and a head-up display (HUD) projecting information onto a small screen. The infotainment system, housed in a circular enclosure reminiscent of classic Mini speedometers, utilized an 8.8-inch touchscreen. Thanks to Mini’s parent company BMW, the system was based on iDrive technology and offered five ways to interact: touchscreen, physical controls below the screen, steering wheel controls, a control knob and buttons on the center console, and voice recognition.

Despite these multiple interaction methods, the system was intuitive and easy to use once acclimated. The voice recognition was particularly accurate. However, the system only supported Apple CarPlay, not Android Auto. With Iconic trim, a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system came standard, delivering excellent sound quality, a notable step up from the standard six-speaker setup.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid was well-regarded for its safety features. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded it five out of five stars for overall and side crash protection, and four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated it "Good" in most tests, but "Acceptable" in new moderate overlap frontal and side-impact tests. The RAV4 Hybrid earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation.

Standard across all 2023 RAV4 Hybrid models was Toyota's Safety Sense 2.5 suite, including forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and a traffic sign reader. Higher trims added features like a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alerts, and parking proximity sensors. Optional features included a surround-view camera system and a digital rearview mirror.

In comparison, the 2024 MINI Countryman lagged in advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). It featured Active Driving Assistant, which included 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 also standard. Adaptive cruise control was optional on higher trims. However, the Countryman lacked blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and a surround-view camera system.

The IIHS provided crashworthiness ratings for the Countryman, bestowing its highest rating of "Good." However, the absence of some ADAS features and the limited crash-test data highlighted its age.