Compare the2022 MINI SE CountrymanVS 2021 BMW X5 xDrive45e

Both the SE Countryman and the X5 xDrive45e have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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.

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.

On the EPA test cycle the SE Countryman running on electricity gets better mileage than the X5 xDrive45e running on electricity (74 city/72 hwy vs. 47 city/54 hwy MPGe).

On the EPA test cycle the SE Countryman running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the X5 xDrive45e running its gasoline engine (29 city/30 hwy vs. 19 city/22 hwy).

The SE Countryman’s maximum driving range in pure electric mode is 18 miles, 6% further than the X5 xDrive45e’s 17 mile range.

For better maneuverability, the SE Countryman’s turning circle is 4 feet tighter than the X5 xDrive45e’s (37.4 feet vs. 41.4 feet).

The MINI SE Countryman may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1700 pounds less than the BMW X5 xDrive45e.

The SE Countryman is 2 feet shorter than the X5 xDrive45e, making the SE Countryman easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The SE Countryman is 7.2 inches narrower than the X5 xDrive45e, making the SE Countryman easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The SE Countryman is 7.3 inches shorter in height than the X5 xDrive45e, making the SE Countryman much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The design of the MINI SE Countryman amounts to more than styling. The SE Countryman has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .33 Cd. That is lower than the X5 xDrive45e (.35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the SE Countryman get better fuel mileage.

The SE Countryman has .6 inches more front legroom and .2 inches more rear legroom than the X5 xDrive45e.

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 X5 xDrive45e doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

The SE Countryman’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The X5 xDrive45e’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

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 X5 xDrive45e 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 X5 xDrive45e.