Compare the2025 MINI CountrymanVS 2025 Lexus UX

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Countryman. But it costs extra on the UX.

The Countryman offers an optional 360-degree camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The UX only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Countryman has standard Cross Traffic Warning with Brake Intervention, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Parking Support Brake costs extra on the UX.

Both the Countryman and the UX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Countryman’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the UX’s (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 UX (3/36,000 vs. 1/10,000).

The Countryman S’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 45 more horsepower (241 vs. 196) than the UX’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The JCW Countryman’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 116 more horsepower (312 vs. 196) than the UX’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

Both the Countryman and UX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The Countryman has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Countryman has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the UX (14.3 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Countryman’s 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 UX doesn’t offer launch control.

For better traction, the Countryman’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the UX (245/45R19 vs. 225/50R18).

The Countryman’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the UX’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Countryman offers optional 20-inch wheels. The UX’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The Countryman offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the UX; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Countryman’s wheelbase is 2.1 inches longer than on the UX (106 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Countryman is 1.4 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the UX.

For greater off-road capability the Countryman has a 1.7 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the UX (8 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the Countryman to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Countryman has 3.5 inches more front headroom, 3.6 inches more front hip room, .7 inches more front shoulder room, 2.8 inches more rear headroom, 3.9 inches more rear legroom, 4 inches more rear hip room and 1.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the UX.

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

The Countryman has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the UX (25 vs. 17.1 cubic feet).

The Countryman has a 3499 lbs. towing capacity. The UX has no towing capacity.

Optional Trailer Stabilization Control on the Countryman uses the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The UX doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Countryman has a higher standard payload capacity than the UX (1089 vs. 890 lbs.).

The Countryman has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the UX (1100 vs. 890 lbs.).

The Countryman uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The UX uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The power windows standard on both the Countryman and the UX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Countryman is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The UX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

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 UX’s 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 UX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The MINI Countryman has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the UX F Sport Handling.

The Countryman has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the UX.

The Countryman offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the UX.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the MINI Countryman has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the UX.

The Countryman’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The UX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The MINI Countryman outsold the Lexus UX by 6% during 2023.