Compare the2026 MINI Countryman SEVS 2026 Toyota bZ

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 bZ.

Both the Countryman SE and the bZ 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 bZ’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 bZ’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 bZ (3/36,000 vs. 2/25000).

The Countryman SE has more powerful engines than the bZ:

The Countryman SE has a standard locking charge port which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The bZ 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 bZ doesn’t offer launch control.

The Countryman SE stops much shorter than the bZ:

For better traction, the Countryman SE’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the bZ (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 bZ XLE’s standard 60 series tires. The Countryman SE’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the bZ Limited’s 50 series tires.

The Countryman SE’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the bZ’s (56% to 44%). This gives the Countryman SE more stable handling and braking.

The Countryman SE handles at .85 G’s, while the bZ Limited AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Countryman SE executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the bZ Limited (25.7 seconds @ .73 average G’s vs. 27.4 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

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

The Countryman SE is 9.6 inches shorter than the bZ, 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, 1.7 inches more rear legroom and 11.5 inches more rear hip room than the bZ.

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

The Countryman SE has a 2645 lbs. towing capacity. The bZ 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 bZ doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Countryman SE uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The bZ 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 SE 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 bZ 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 bZ’s power window (except driver window) and power lock switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Countryman SE to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The bZ doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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

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 bZ has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

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 bZ.

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 bZ Limited’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

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