Compare the2026 MINI Countryman SEVS 2025 Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid

The MINI Countryman SE has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Countryman SE’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Countryman SE 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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE, and isn't offered on other Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid models.

The Countryman SE’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Countryman SE and the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver 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 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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid (3/36,000 vs. 2/25000).

The Countryman SE’s standard electric motors produces 6 more horsepower (308 vs. 302) than the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the MINI Countryman SE is faster than the Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid:

	Countryman SE	Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid
Zero to 30 MPH	2.1 sec	2.4 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	5 sec	6.3 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	3.1 sec	3.5 sec
Quarter Mile	13.7 sec	14.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	102 MPH	97 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the Countryman SE 18-inch wheels gets better mileage than the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity (99 city/94 hwy vs. 105 city/84 hwy MPGe).

On the EPA test cycle the Countryman SE 18-inch wheels gets better mileage than the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid running its gasoline engine (99 city/94 hwy MPGe vs. 40 city/36 hwy).

The Countryman SE can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 204 to 212 miles. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has to start its internal combustion engine after only 42 miles.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the MINI Countryman SE higher (10 out of 10) than the Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid (6). This means the Countryman SE produces up to 12.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid every 15,000 miles.

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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer launch control.

The Countryman SE stops much shorter than the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid:

	Countryman SE	Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid
70 to 0 MPH	171 feet	195 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	116 feet	131 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	135 feet	155 feet	Consumer Reports

For better traction, the Countryman SE’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid (245/45R19 vs. 235/55R19).

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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid SE’s standard 60 series tires. The Countryman SE’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE’s 55 series tires.

The Countryman SE has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Countryman SE’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s (56% to 44%). This gives the Countryman SE more stable handling and braking.

The Countryman SE handles at .85 G’s, while the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Countryman SE executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.9 seconds quicker than the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE (25.7 seconds @ .73 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

The Countryman SE is 5.9 inches shorter than the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid, making the Countryman SE easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Countryman SE has 3 inches more front headroom, 3.1 inches more front hip room and 8.6 inches more rear hip room than the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid.

The Countryman SE’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s (2645 vs. 2500 pounds).

The Countryman SE uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid 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’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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s power window (except driver window), power lock and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Countryman SE’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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the MINI Countryman SE and Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid 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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid.

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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the MINI Countryman SE has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE offers wireless charging.

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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid isn’t in the top three in its category.