Compare the2022 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In HybridVS 2022 MINI SE Countryman

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The MINI SE Countryman doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests front crash prevention systems. With a score of 6 points, IIHS rates the Automatic Emergency Braking optional in the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid as “Superior.” The SE Countryman scores only 3 points and is rated only “Advanced.”

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s optional blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The SE Countryman doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s optional rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The SE Countryman doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The SE Countryman doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid and the SE Countryman have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available rear parking sensors.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The SE Countryman’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than MINI covers the SE Countryman. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the SE Countryman ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 7 times as many Hyundai dealers as there are MINI dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than MINI vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai 8th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, MINI is ranked 10th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than MINI vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai 7th in reliability, above the industry average. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, MINI is ranked 17th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than MINI vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 17 places higher in reliability than MINI.

On the EPA test cycle the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity gets better mileage than the SE Countryman running on electricity (123 city/115 hwy vs. 74 city/72 hwy MPGe).

On the EPA test cycle the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the SE Countryman running its gasoline engine (52 city/51 hwy vs. 29 city/30 hwy).

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s maximum driving range in pure electric mode is 29 miles, 61% further than the SE Countryman’s 18 mile range.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has 1.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the SE Countryman (11.4 vs. 9.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid higher (7 out of 10) than the MINI SE Countryman (3). This means the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the SE Countryman every 15,000 miles.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The SE Countryman doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer than on the SE Countryman (106.3 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the SE Countryman’s (34.8 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

The Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 pounds less than the MINI SE Countryman.

The design of the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid amounts to more than styling. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .24 Cd. That is significantly lower than the SE Countryman (.33) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The SE Countryman doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has 1.8 inches more front legroom, 1.3 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the SE Countryman.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume than the SE Countryman with its rear seat up (23 vs. 17.2 cubic feet).

The SE Countryman’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has standard extendable sun visors. The SE Countryman doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the SE Countryman.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid will be $8448 to $14605 less than for the MINI SE Countryman.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.