Compare the2022 MINI SE CountrymanVS 2020 Mercedes GLC 350e

The MINI SE Countryman has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The GLC 350e doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The SE Countryman has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The GLC 350e doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The SE Countryman’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the GLC 350e.

Both the SE Countryman and the GLC 350e have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver 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, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available front parking sensors.

The SE Countryman’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the GLC 350e’s (12 vs. 5 years).

MINI pays for scheduled maintenance on the SE Countryman for 3 years and 36,000 miles. MINI will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the GLC 350e.

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 Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI 16th in initial quality. With 28 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 30th.

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 GLC 350e’s standard 60 series tires.

For better maneuverability, the SE Countryman’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the GLC 350e’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

The MINI SE Countryman may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 pounds less than the Mercedes GLC 350e.

The SE Countryman is 1 foot, 1.6 inches shorter than the GLC 350e, making the SE Countryman easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 GLC 350e (.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 2.7 inches more front headroom and .3 inches more rear legroom than the GLC 350e.

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 GLC 350e doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

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 GLC 350e 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 GLC 350e.