Compare the2023 MINI CountrymanVS 2022 Toyota C-HR

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
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 C-HR 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 C-HR 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.

The Countryman offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The C-HR doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

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

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 C-HR’s 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 C-HR’s (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 C-HR (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 23 lbs.-ft. more torque (162 vs. 139) than the C-HR’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Countryman S’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 45 more horsepower (189 vs. 144) and 67 lbs.-ft. more torque (206 vs. 139) than the C-HR’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The JCW Countryman’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 157 more horsepower (301 vs. 144) and 192 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 139) than the C-HR’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the MINI Countryman is faster than the Toyota C-HR:

	Countryman turbo 3 cyl.	Countryman S	C-HR
Zero to 60 MPH	9.3 sec	7.4 sec	10.3 sec
Quarter Mile	17 sec	15.7 sec	17.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	79.6 MPH	86.7 MPH	77.4 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Countryman’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The C-HR doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Countryman has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the C-HR (16.1 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 C-HR doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Countryman’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the C-HR:

	Countryman	C-HR
Front Rotors	13 inches	11.7 inches

The Countryman stops much shorter than the C-HR:

	Countryman	C-HR
70 to 0 MPH	157 feet	174 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	120 feet	131 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	130 feet	147 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

The Countryman’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the C-HR’s 50 series tires.

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

Suspension and Handling

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

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 C-HR’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Countryman has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The C-HR doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

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

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Countryman is 1.1 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the C-HR.

The Countryman S handles at .88 G’s, while the C-HR Limited pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Countryman S ALL4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the C-HR XLE (27.2 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

Passenger Space

The Countryman has 10.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the C-HR (96.9 vs. 86).

The Countryman has 2.4 inches more front headroom, 5.8 inches more front shoulder room, 5.9 inches more rear legroom and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the C-HR.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Countryman’s rear seats recline. The C-HR’s 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 C-HR doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

Cargo Capacity

The Countryman has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the C-HR with its rear seat folded (47.6 vs. 37 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Countryman’s power liftgate can be opened or closed just by waving your foot, leaving your hands completely free. The C-HR doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Servicing Ease

A Service Interval Indicator is standard on the Countryman to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes and brake pad replacement, vehicle inspection based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Toyota doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the C-HR.

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 C-HR 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 C-HR doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The C-HR’s standard power locks don’t automatically lock the doors. The Countryman’s standard doors lock when a certain speed is reached. This is an important feature for occupant safety. Locked doors are proven to open less often in collisions, and they are also effective in preventing crime at traffic lights.

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 C-HR’s 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 C-HR’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 C-HR doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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 C-HR 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 C-HR’s 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 C-HR has 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 C-HR doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Countryman offers an optional center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The C-HR doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

Both the Countryman and the C-HR offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Countryman has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The C-HR doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

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 C-HR 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 C-HR doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Countryman owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Countryman will cost $150 to $1265 less than the C-HR over a five-year period.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the MINI Countryman and the Toyota C-HR, 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 C-HR isn’t in the top three.