2025 MINI Countryman vs 2026 Lexus TX

The 2025 MINI Countryman was a visually appealing vehicle, maintaining traditional Mini design elements such as wide-eyed headlights, a floating roof available in various colors, and vertical Union Jack taillights. These features were encased in modern sheet metal, giving the car a contemporary look. Depending on the model, paint, interior, and wheels, the Countryman could appear as a conservative crossover or a performance-oriented SUV. The Cooper S model was popular, while the John Cooper Works (JCW) offered enhanced power and performance, and the SE was an electric variant with an estimated range of 212 miles. The interior was stylish, with Vintage Brown artificial leather seats and a unique dashboard fabric made from recycled polyester. The Countryman was considered a stylish and quality vehicle, offering a sense of value in a market filled with mundane crossovers.

The 2026 Lexus TX, available in various trims, including the TX 350, 500h hybrid, and 550h+ plug-in hybrid, offered a luxurious yet understated design. The 550h+ featured a standard panoramic glass roof and an eye-catching Matador Red Mica paint option. The vehicle's exterior was marked by a large grille, sharp bi-LED headlights, and rear LED lighting that spanned the vehicle's width. Inside, the TX provided a spacious third row with ample headroom and a recline function, making it comfortable for adults. The interior featured multi-zone climate control, heated and cooled front seats, and a removable center console in the second row. However, the material quality was not up to luxury standards, with basic plastics present. The redesigned door handles were a unique touch, though some might have preferred more attention to detail elsewhere in the cabin.

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 Core and Go Kart, which altered the driving dynamics and engine sound. However, the vehicle lacked refinement, with a clunky transmission and a noisy ride. The steering had an on-center dead spot, and the brakes were touchy and inconsistent. Despite these issues, the Countryman was fun to drive, especially in Go Kart mode, though its fuel economy was less than ideal, averaging 24.5 mpg.

The 2026 Lexus TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid generated 404 horsepower from its 3.5-liter V6 and hybrid system. It offered multiple driving modes, including Normal, Eco, Sport, and Custom, allowing drivers to tailor their experience. The TX provided a smooth and quiet ride, with seamless transitions between gas and electric power. The suspension absorbed bumps well, and the brakes were firm and linear. The all-wheel-drive system could distribute power between the front and rear wheels, and a Trail Mode helped maintain traction on slippery surfaces. The TX was well-suited for long road trips, offering a comfortable and composed driving experience.

The 2025 MINI Countryman provided seating for four adults, with a snug but comfortable rear seat. The front seats were comfortable, and the artificial leather upholstery felt upscale. Visibility was good, aided by oversized side mirrors and an excellent surround-view camera system. The Countryman offered 25 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 56.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Storage solutions were unique, with a funky storage box on the center console and a deep tray for large water bottles.

The 2026 Lexus TX 550h+ offered standard luxury features, including multi-zone climate control and heated and cooled front seats. The third row was spacious, with a recline function and USB-C ports for each seat. The second row featured captain's chairs with a removable center console, though folding the seats flat was complicated. The front seats were roomy but lacked thigh support. The TX provided excellent cargo space, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 97 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The vehicle could tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2025 MINI Countryman featured a 9.4-inch OLED touchscreen infotainment display, though it was not well-received. It included cloud-based navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system. An Intelligent Personal Assistant named Spike was supposed to recognize natural commands, but it was inactive in the test vehicle. The head-up display was helpful, providing information on navigation and safety features.

The 2026 Lexus TX had a 14-inch touchscreen that was easy to use but had some quirks, such as the inability to manually input satellite radio stations. The steering wheel buttons were multifunctional but confusing. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though they sometimes conflicted with the native audio system. The TX offered a clear backup camera with a bird’s-eye view and an Advanced Park system for automated parking. The vehicle had seven USB ports and wireless charging, ensuring devices stayed powered.

The 2025 MINI Countryman was well-equipped with safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. It also had adaptive cruise control with Assisted Driving and Assisted Driving Plus, though the latter was not available in the U.S. The Countryman was named a "Top Safety Pick" by the IIHS in 2024.

The 2026 Lexus TX came with Safety System+ 3.0, including forward collision warning, lane centering, and traffic sign recognition. The adaptive cruise control worked well, though it was slow to accelerate in traffic. The TX 350 and 500h received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, while the TX earned "Good" scores from the IIHS in most categories.