Compare the2025 MINI Countryman SEVS 2024 Toyota bZ4X

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the Countryman SE. But it costs extra on the bZ4X.

Both the Countryman SE and the bZ4X have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 Countryman SE comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The bZ4X’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Countryman SE’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the bZ4X’s (12 vs. 5 years).

MINI pays for scheduled maintenance on the Countryman SE for 1 year and 11000 miles longer than Toyota pays for maintenance for the bZ4X (3/36,000 vs. 2/25000).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated lower.

The Countryman SE’s electric motors produces 107 more horsepower (308 vs. 201) and 168 lbs.-ft. more torque (364 vs. 196) than the bZ4X’s standard electric motor. The Countryman SE’s electric motors produces 94 more horsepower (308 vs. 214) and 116 lbs.-ft. more torque (364 vs. 248) than the bZ4X’s optional electric motors.

The Countryman SE has a standard locking charge port which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The bZ4X doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

The Countryman SE’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 bZ4X doesn’t offer launch control.

For better traction, the Countryman SE’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the bZ4X (245/45R19 vs. 235/60R18).

The Countryman SE’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 bZ4X XLE’s standard 60 series tires. The Countryman SE’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the bZ4X Limited’s 50 series tires.

For better maneuverability, the Countryman SE’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the bZ4X’s (38.7 feet vs. 40 feet).

The Countryman SE is 9.6 inches shorter than the bZ4X, making the Countryman SE easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Countryman SE has 2.1 inches more front headroom, 3 inches more front hip room, .3 inches more rear headroom and 11.5 inches more rear hip room than the bZ4X.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Countryman SE. The bZ4X doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Countryman SE has a 2646 lbs. towing capacity. The bZ4X has no towing capacity.

Optional Trailer Stabilization Control on the Countryman SE 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 bZ4X doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Countryman SE uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The bZ4X 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.

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 33% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 21st.

When two different drivers share the Countryman SE, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The bZ4X doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Countryman SE’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The bZ4X doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Countryman SE has a standard 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 bZ4X doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Countryman SE’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 bZ4X’s power window (except driver window) and power lock switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Countryman SE has a standard rear wiper. The bZ4X doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Countryman SE has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The bZ4X doesn’t offer cornering lights.

When the Countryman SE 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 bZ4X’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Countryman SE’s standard 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 bZ4X has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the MINI Countryman SE and Toyota bZ4X offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Countryman SE features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the bZ4X’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The Countryman SE 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 bZ4X.

The Countryman SE offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the bZ4X.

The Countryman SE’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 bZ4X Limited’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

The MINI Countryman outsold the Toyota bZ4X by 34% during 2023.