Compare the2026 MINI CountrymanVS 2026 Toyota Crown Signia

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 Crown Signia Limited, and isn't offered on other Crown Signia models.

Both the Countryman and the Crown Signia 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, all wheel drive, 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.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4189-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the MINI Countryman is safer than the Crown Signia:

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 Crown Signia’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 Crown Signia’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 Crown Signia (3/36,000 vs. 2/25000).

The Countryman S’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 1 more horsepower (241 vs. 240) than the Crown Signia’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The JCW Countryman’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 72 more horsepower (312 vs. 240) than the Crown Signia’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the MINI Countryman is faster than the Toyota Crown Signia:

Both the Countryman and Crown Signia 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’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 Crown Signia doesn’t offer launch control.

The Countryman stops much shorter than the Crown Signia:

For better traction, the Countryman’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Crown Signia (245/45R19 vs. 235/45R21).

The JCW 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 Crown Signia Limited’s 45 series tires.

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 Crown Signia; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

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 Crown Signia’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The JCW Countryman handles at .99 G’s, while the Crown Signia Limited pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The JCW Countryman executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.2 seconds quicker than the Crown Signia Limited (25.1 seconds @ .79 average G’s vs. 27.3 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Countryman S’ turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the Crown Signia’s (38.1 feet vs. 39.5 feet). The JCW Countryman’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the Crown Signia’s (38.7 feet vs. 39.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Countryman has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Crown Signia (8 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Countryman to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The MINI Countryman may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 450 pounds less than the Toyota Crown Signia.

The Countryman is 1 foot, 7.1 inches shorter than the Crown Signia, making the Countryman easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Countryman has 1.6 inches more front headroom, 2.7 inches more front hip room and 8.6 inches more rear hip room than the Crown Signia.

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

The Countryman’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Crown Signia’s (3500 vs. 2700 pounds).

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 Crown Signia doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Countryman uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Crown Signia 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 30% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 24th.

The Countryman has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Crown Signia 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 Crown Signia’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

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 Crown Signia doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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

The Countryman’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 Crown Signia has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

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 Crown Signia.

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 Crown Signia doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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

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