Compare the2022 MINI SE CountrymanVS 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge

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 XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the SE Countryman and the XC40 Recharge 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available front parking sensors.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the SE Countryman the rating of “Top Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 213 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The XC40 Recharge has not been tested, yet.

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 Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI 16th in initial quality. With 36 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 31st.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that MINI vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI 17th in reliability. With 18 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 25th.

The SE Countryman’s maximum EPA estimated driving range on a full tank of fuel and a full charge is 285 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The XC40 Recharge’s range is only 208 miles, after which the minimum recharge time is 40 minutes for only a 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a conventional charging station can take up to 8 hours.

The SE Countryman has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The XC40 Recharge’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The MINI SE Countryman may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 750 pounds less than the Volvo XC40 Recharge.

The SE Countryman is 4.5 inches shorter than the XC40 Recharge, making the SE Countryman easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The SE Countryman has 1.5 inches more front headroom and 1.5 inches more rear legroom than the XC40 Recharge.

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 XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

The SE Countryman has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XC40 Recharge with its rear seat folded (47.4 vs. 46.6 cubic feet).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than Volvo. J.D. Power ranks MINI 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 1% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 11th.

The SE Countryman offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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. Heated windshield washer nozzles cost extra on the XC40 Recharge.

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 XC40 Recharge.