2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid vs 2025 MINI Countryman

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 colors, 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 was stylish, with Vintage Brown artificial leather seats and a unique dashboard fabric made from recycled polyester, offering a sense of quality and sophistication. Despite some reservations about the faint gold tint on the trim and wheels, the Countryman made a bold statement with its bright British Racing Green paint and 20-inch wheels.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid adopted a more conservative and familiar design, reminiscent of the previous-generation RAV4. This approach resulted in a vehicle that looked like a larger RAV4, offering seating for up to eight and ample cargo space. The interior prioritized function over form, with a layer of luxury in the Platinum trim. While the glossy hard plastic and unlined storage surfaces detracted from the overall quality, the controls were logically laid out, and the climate system was user-friendly. The Grand Highlander’s design choices made it a practical and spacious option for families.

The 2025 MINI Countryman Cooper S was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter 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 60 mph in 6.2 seconds. The Countryman offered different driving modes, including the spirited Go Kart mode, enhancing its nimble and zippy nature. However, the lack of refinement in the powertrain, noise isolation, and ride compliance was noticeable, with the DCT occasionally exhibiting clunky shifting. Despite these drawbacks, the Countryman provided genuine driving fun, although its fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 24.5 mpg.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max focused on performance with its turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD, delivering 362 horsepower. This setup allowed the Grand Highlander to accelerate swiftly, with the traditional six-speed automatic transmission avoiding the droning common in CVTs. While the Hybrid Max sacrificed some fuel efficiency, achieving 27 mpg, it offered a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. The ride quality was soft and isolating, absorbing road imperfections with ease. However, the handling was secure only up to a point, with early tire squeal and nose push in curves. The Grand Highlander’s acceleration and maneuverability were commendable, providing confidence in various driving situations.

The 2025 MINI Countryman offered seating for four adults, with the option to squeeze in a fifth passenger. 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 Countryman provided 25 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 56.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, the back seat remained snug, and clearance for a reverse-facing child safety seat was tight. Storage solutions were generous and creatively designed, aligning with the Mini ethos.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid excelled in interior space, offering comfortable seating in all three rows and nearly 100 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. The Platinum-trim test vehicle featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery, adding a touch of luxury. The second-row captain’s chairs provided easy access to the third row, which was reasonably comfortable for adults and tall teens. However, the long rear doors posed challenges for buckling children into safety seats. The Grand Highlander’s cargo space was impressive, with 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row and 97.5 cubic feet 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, Android Auto, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system. However, the depth of menus and settings could be overwhelming, and the Intelligent Personal Assistant was inactive during testing. The head-up display was helpful, providing essential information without cluttering the center display.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel in higher trims. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. The system was user-friendly, though the inability to view multiple main-menu screens simultaneously was a drawback. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to commands, and the JBL premium audio system exceeded expectations. The Platinum trim included additional features like a head-up display and a camera-based digital rear-view mirror.

The 2025 MINI Countryman was well-equipped with safety and driver assistance features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. It also offered adaptive cruise control with Assisted Driving and Assisted Driving Plus technologies. However, the system required active steering input, and Assisted Driving Plus was not fully functional in the United States. Despite these limitations, the Countryman earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features. It included lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and Proactive Driving Assist. While the safety tech operated with accuracy, the lane-keep assist occasionally strayed too close to lane markers. The Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but fell short of the IIHS Top Safety Pick due to headlight performance and frontal-impact protection ratings.