Toyota Prius vs Mini Countryman
What's the difference?

Toyota Prius

$17,990 - $34,950

2021 price

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Mini Countryman

$46,995 - $77,800

2025 price

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Summary

2021 Toyota Prius

2025 Mini Countryman

By Tom White

By Emily Agar

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Inline 4, 1.8L

Inline 4, 2.0L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol/Electric

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

3.4L/100km (combined)

7.7L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Seamless hybrid drive
Incredible fuel efficiency
Comfortable and spacious

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

Dislikes

Polarising exterior
Dorky central instrument cluster
Not so engaging to drive

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

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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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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Deep dive comparison

2021 Toyota Prius 2025 Mini Countryman

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.

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.

Toyota Prius vs Mini Countryman What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Toyota Prius vs Mini Countryman
What's the difference?