Compare the2023 MINI CountrymanVS 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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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 Corolla Cross doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

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

Warranty

The Countryman comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Corolla Cross’ 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Countryman’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Corolla Cross’ (12 vs. 5 years).

MINI pays for scheduled maintenance on the Countryman for 1 year and 11000 miles longer than Toyota pays for maintenance for the Corolla Cross (3/36,000 vs. 2/25000).

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that MINI vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI above average in initial quality. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated lower.

Engine

The Countryman’s standard 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder produces 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (162 vs. 151) than the Corolla Cross’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Countryman S’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 20 more horsepower (189 vs. 169) and 55 lbs.-ft. more torque (206 vs. 151) than the Corolla Cross’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The JCW Countryman’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 132 more horsepower (301 vs. 169) and 180 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 151) than the Corolla Cross’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Countryman S 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Toyota Corolla Cross:

	Countryman	Corolla Cross
Zero to 60 MPH	7.4 sec	9.3 sec
Quarter Mile	15.7 sec	17.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	86.7 MPH	83.1 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

Regenerative brakes improve the Countryman’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Countryman has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Corolla Cross FWD’s standard fuel tank (16.1 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Countryman has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Corolla Cross AWD’s standard fuel tank (16.1 vs. 13.2 gallons).

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 Corolla Cross doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Countryman’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Corolla Cross:

	Countryman	Corolla Cross
Front Rotors	13 inches	12 inches

The Countryman stops shorter than the Corolla Cross:

	Countryman	Corolla Cross
60 to 0 MPH	120 feet	128 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	130 feet	140 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Countryman has larger tires than the Corolla Cross (225/55R17 vs. 215/65R17).

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 Corolla Cross’ standard 65 series tires. The Countryman’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Corolla Cross XLE’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Countryman offers optional 19-inch wheels. The Corolla Cross’ 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 Corolla Cross doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the MINI Countryman has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Corolla Cross 4x2 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Countryman has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Corolla Cross’ suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Countryman has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Countryman flat and controlled during cornering. The Corolla Cross 4x2 suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Countryman offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Corolla Cross’ suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Countryman’s wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer than on the Corolla Cross (105.1 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

The Countryman S ALL4 handles at .83 G’s, while the Corolla Cross XLE AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Countryman S ALL4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Corolla Cross XLE AWD (27.2 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.2 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

Chassis

The Countryman is 5.9 inches shorter than the Corolla Cross, making the Countryman easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The Countryman has 1.9 inches more front headroom, 2.1 inches more front shoulder room, 5.6 inches more rear legroom and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Corolla Cross.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Countryman’s rear seats recline. The Corolla Cross’ rear seats don’t recline.

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 Corolla Cross doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

Cargo Capacity

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Countryman’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by waving your foot, leaving your hands completely free. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than Toyota. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in service department satisfaction. With a 25% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 20th.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Countryman, the optional memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, power steering assist, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer a memory system.

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 Corolla Cross doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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 Corolla Cross L’s standard fixed intermittent wipers only have one fixed delay setting, so the driver will have to manually switch them between slow and intermittent. The Corolla Cross LE/XLE’s 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 Corolla Cross doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Consumer Reports rated the Countryman’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Corolla Cross’ headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Countryman has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The Corolla Cross has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the LE/XLE.

To better shield the driver’s vision, the Countryman has a standard dual-element sun visor that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer a secondary sun visor.

When the Countryman with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Corolla Cross’ mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Countryman’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Corolla Cross offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

On extremely cold winter days, the Countryman’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

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

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the MINI Countryman and the Toyota Corolla Cross, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Countryman second among small suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Corolla Cross isn’t in the top three.