MINI Countryman vs Lexus IS
The MINI Countryman is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 98 mpg combined versus 26 mpg for the Lexus IS, a 72 mpg advantage and costs about $2,100 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the MINI Countryman leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2027
MINI Countryman
Midsize Cars · 75 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | MINI Countryman | Lexus IS |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 98 mpg ✓ | 26 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 101 mpg ✓ | 22 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 94 mpg ✓ | 32 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $800 ✓ | $2,900 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 175 g/mi ✓ | 345 g/mi |
| Engines offered | SIDI & PFI, SIDI, SIDI; PHEV, 1.6 | SIDI & PFI, SIDI |
| Transmissions | Automatic (A1), Automatic (AM-S7), Automatic (S8) | Automatic (S6), Automatic (S8) |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Electricity, Premium, Premium and Electricity | Premium |
| EPA class | Midsize Cars | Compact Cars |
| Years covered | 2015–2027 | 2015–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 75 | 52 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Countryman vs IS: common questions
Which is better on gas, the MINI Countryman or the Lexus IS?
The MINI Countryman is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 98 mpg combined versus 26 mpg for the Lexus IS, a 72 mpg advantage and costs about $2,100 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the MINI Countryman runs about $800 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,900 for the Lexus IS — a difference of roughly $2,100 per year.
What engines do the Countryman and IS offer?
MINI Countryman: SIDI & PFI, SIDI, SIDI; PHEV, 1.6. Lexus IS: SIDI & PFI, SIDI.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the MINI Countryman as Midsize Cars and the Lexus IS as Compact Cars, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More Countryman comparisons
Comparison id: mini-countryman-vs-lexus-is