Compare the2025 Lexus RZVS 2025 MINI Countryman SE

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus RZ have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The MINI Countryman SE doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Lexus RZ are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The MINI Countryman SE doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the RZ and the Countryman SE have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Lexus RZ achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Countryman SE has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RZ 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than MINI covers the Countryman SE. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Countryman SE ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 3 times as many Lexus dealers as there are MINI dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the RZ’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than MINI vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 8 more problems per 100 vehicles, MINI is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than MINI vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 39 more problems per 100 vehicles, MINI is ranked fourth.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than MINI vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in overall reliability. MINI is ranked third.

On the EPA test cycle the RZ gets better mileage than the Countryman SE:

The RZ can travel longer on a full charge than the Countryman SE on a full charge:

The RZ’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Countryman SE are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the RZ has larger tires than the Countryman SE (F:235/60R18 & R:255/55R18 vs. 225/55R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RZ offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Countryman SE’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RZ’s wheelbase is 6.2 inches longer than on the Countryman SE (112.2 inches vs. 106 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RZ is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than on the Countryman SE.

For better maneuverability, the RZ’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the Countryman SE’s (36.8 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the RZ has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Countryman SE (7.9 vs. 7.4 inches), allowing the RZ to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Lexus RZ may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 300 pounds less than the MINI Countryman SE.

The front grille of the RZ uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Countryman SE doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The RZ uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Countryman SE doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The RZ has 1.7 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom and 2.4 inches more rear legroom than the Countryman SE.

The RZ has a much larger cargo volume than the Countryman SE with its rear seat up (34.1 vs. 24.8 cubic feet).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than MINI. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 13% lower rating, MINI is ranked fourth.

The RZ’s standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Comfort Access standard on the Countryman SE doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RZ offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Countryman SE doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the RZ has standard extendable sun visors. The Countryman SE doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Both the RZ and the Countryman SE have standard heated front seats. The RZ Luxury also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Countryman SE.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the RZ Premium/Luxury keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Countryman SE doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Compared to the MINI Countryman SE, the Lexus RZ eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its standard integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

The RZ has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Countryman SE doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The RZ is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Countryman SE doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus RZ, based on reliability, safety and performance.