Mini Countryman vs Toyota Prius
What's the difference?

Mini Countryman

$45,900 - $77,800

2025 price

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Toyota Prius

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2021 price

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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

2021 Toyota Prius

By Emily Agar

By Tom White

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Inline 4, 2.0L

Inline 4, 1.8L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Unleaded Petrol/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

7.7L/100km (combined)

3.4L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

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

Seamless hybrid drive
Incredible fuel efficiency
Comfortable and spacious

Dislikes

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

Polarising exterior
Dorky central instrument cluster
Not so engaging to drive

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.

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2021 Toyota Prius Summary

What to say about the Toyota Prius in 2021? A car that was once a technology trailblazer seems now to have become properly retro, even while it’s still being built and sold.

The awkward-looking wedge, an eco-punk icon, not only brought Toyota’s hybrid synergy drive to the masses, it also debuted the brand’s excellent TNGA architecture and set the scene for the company's absurd hybrid success, which now sees the RAV4 version topping the sales charts.

So, after all these years (25 to be precise), is the Prius’s time finally over? Or does this quaint hybrid hero still have more to offer? I took a top-spec I-Tech for a week to find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2025 Mini Countryman 2021 Toyota Prius

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 Prius can rest its weary head. The Age of the Hybrid has begun. Even though this iconic eco car might have lost its ultimate purpose to more mainstream models in the last few years, it’s still the best execution of Toyota’s hybrid tech on the market and if you can look past its divisive-as-ever looks, it’s comfortable and practical, too.

The brand’s Australian division promises the Prius will stick around in one form or another, so we’re keen to see what its next iteration will look like. Plug-in? Fully electric? Time will tell.

Mini Countryman vs Toyota Prius What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Mini Countryman vs Toyota Prius
What's the difference?