Both the SE Countryman and the X3 xDrive30e have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, 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, rearview cameras and available front parking sensors.
Compare the2022 MINI SE CountrymanVS 2021 BMW X3 xDrive30e


Safety
Reliability
J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that MINI vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI 16th in initial quality. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 18th.
Tires and Wheels
The SE Countryman’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the X3 xDrive30e’s standard 60 series tires.
Suspension and Handling
For better maneuverability, the SE Countryman’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the X3 xDrive30e’s (37.4 feet vs. 39.4 feet).
Chassis
The MINI SE Countryman may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 pounds less than the BMW X3 xDrive30e.
The SE Countryman is 1 foot, 4.2 inches shorter than the X3 xDrive30e, making the SE Countryman easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.
Passenger Space
The SE Countryman has .1 inches more front legroom and 1.2 inches more rear legroom than the X3 xDrive30e.
Flexibility is maximized at the game, campground or a drive-in theatre in the SE Countryman when its optional tailgating rear seats are deployed, allowing people to sit facing out of the liftgate. (Do not use while vehicle is in motion.) The X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer tailgating seats.
Ergonomics
Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the SE Countryman to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.
The SE Countryman 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 X3 xDrive30e.