Compare the2022 MINI CountrymanVS 2021 Lexus NX Series

The MINI Countryman has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The NX Series doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Countryman has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The NX Series doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Compared to metal, the Countryman’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Lexus NX Series has a metal gas tank.

Both the Countryman and the NX Series have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and front parking sensors.

The Countryman’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the NX Series’ (12 vs. 6 years).

MINI pays for scheduled maintenance on the Countryman for 2 years and 26000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the NX Series (3/36,000 vs. 1/10,000).

The Countryman has more powerful engines than the NX Series:

As tested in Car and Driver the Countryman S 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the NX 300 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the Countryman gets better mileage than the NX Series:

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the Countryman’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Lexus only offers a regenerative brake system on the NX Series 300h.

Regardless of its engine, the Countryman’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Lexus only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the NX Series 300h.

The Countryman has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the NX Series Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (16.1 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

An eight-speed automatic is available on the MINI Countryman, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the NX Series.

The Countryman offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The NX Series doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Countryman Auto’s optional launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The NX Series doesn’t offer launch control.

The Countryman stops much shorter than the NX Series:

The Countryman’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the NX Series’ standard 65 series tires. The Countryman’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the NX Series F Sport’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Countryman offers optional 19-inch wheels. The NX Series’ largest wheels are only 18-inches.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the Countryman can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The NX Series doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The Countryman S handles at .88 G’s, while the NX 300 F Sport AWD pulls only .76 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Countryman S ALL4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the NX 300h AWD (27.2 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

The MINI Countryman may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 600 pounds less than the Lexus NX Series.

The Countryman is 1 foot, 1 inches shorter than the NX Series, making the Countryman easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the MINI Countryman amounts to more than styling. The Countryman has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .32 Cd. That is lower than the NX Series (.34) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Countryman get better fuel mileage.

The Countryman has 25.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the NX Series (96.9 vs. 71.6).

The Countryman has 2.3 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more rear headroom and 1.5 inches more rear legroom than the NX Series.

Flexibility is maximized at the game, campground or a drive-in theatre in the Countryman when its optional tailgating rear seats are deployed, allowing people to sit facing out of the liftgate. (Do not use while vehicle is in motion.) The NX Series doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

The Countryman offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The NX Series doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Countryman’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The NX Series’ power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Countryman’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The NX Series’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Countryman to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The NX Series doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the MINI Countryman offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The NX Series doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Countryman’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The NX Series doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Countryman is less expensive to operate than the NX Series because it costs $518 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Countryman than the NX Series, including $98 less for a water pump, $220 less for a muffler, $98 less for a starter, $382 less for fuel injection, $99 less for a fuel pump and $654 less for a timing belt/chain.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the MINI Countryman and the Lexus NX Series, based on reliability, safety and performance.