Mini Countryman vs Lexus LS
What's the difference?

Mini Countryman

$45,900 - $77,800

2025 price

View pricing & specs

Lexus LS

—

2023 price

View pricing & specs

Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G63

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLS

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mini 3D Hatch

Mitsubishi ASX

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Polestar 2 Long Range

Polestar 2 Standard Range

Summary

2025 Mini Countryman

2023 Lexus LS

By Emily Agar

By Tom White

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Inline 4, 2.0L

Twin Turbo V6, 3.4L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

7.7L/100km (combined)

10.0L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Gorgeous Mini styling
Strong on-road performance
Lots of personalisation available

Business class interior
Japanese feel and quality
Thumping turbo V6

Dislikes

Lacking a few features for a top-grade model
An expensive endeavour for a Mini
Not much separates the two trim levels

Feels a bit old-fashioned to drive
The hybrid would be nicer to be driven in
Dated multimedia software

2025 Mini Countryman Summary

The Mini Countryman is the not-so-mini cousin to the iconic and smaller Mini Cooper.

The new generation offers a larger body-size, fun new interiors and a whole suite of updated technology.

We're in the flagship John Cooper Works grade in Favoured trim to find out if this small SUV is still urban-friendly and fun after all of these changes.

View full pricing & specs

2023 Lexus LS Summary

Surprisingly, for people who would rather be driven than drive themselves, there are quite a few options available in the large luxury sedan market.

While on the whole sedans have fallen from favour, this niche corner of the market continues to let the three-box design thrive.

The options here have changed a bit in the last few years, though, so how does the Lexus flagship, the LS fit into the picture? I drove one around for a week to find out.

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2025 Mini Countryman 2023 Lexus LS

Verdict

The new Mini Countryman John Cooper Works in Favoured trim offers everything you’d expect it to - the iconic Mini styling, a powerful driving performance and a well-equipped cabin. It’s a wonderfully quick urban dweller that you can park anywhere but is just as happy on the open-road. For me, this is pure fun and offers more personality than a lot of its rivals.

Verdict

The LS500 is the least logical version of the most logical option in the ultimate luxury sedan segment in which logic doesn’t often apply at all.

Take from that what you will, but if it was me being driven around I would definitely be opting for the hybrid version of the LS instead for its smooth electrified driving characteristics and lower operating costs.

Mini Countryman vs Lexus LS What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Mini Countryman vs Lexus LS
What's the difference?