Compare the2022 MINI CountrymanVS 2022 Volvo XC40

The MINI 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 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the Countryman and the XC40 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, 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, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and front parking sensors.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Countryman’s reliability 23 points higher than the XC40.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 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 10th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 59 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 29th, below the industry average.

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 JCW Countryman’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 53 more horsepower (301 vs. 248) and 73 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 258) than the XC40 T5’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Countryman S 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the XC40 T5:

On the EPA test cycle the Countryman gets better mileage than the XC40:

Regenerative brakes improve the Countryman’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The XC40 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Both the Countryman and the XC40 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All Countrymans have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. A disable switch costs extra on the XC40.

The Countryman has 1.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC40 (16.1 vs. 14.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Countryman 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 XC40 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Countryman Auto’s optional launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The XC40 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Countryman’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the XC40:

The Countryman stops much shorter than the XC40:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the Countryman can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The XC40 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

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

The Countryman offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The XC40’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Countryman S handles at .88 G’s, while the XC40 T5 R-Design AWD pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Countryman S ALL4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the XC40 T5 R-Design AWD (27.2 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

The MINI Countryman may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 50 to 350 pounds less than the Volvo XC40.

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

The design of the MINI Countryman amounts to more than styling. The Countryman has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .32 Cd. That is lower than the XC40 (.34) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Countryman get better fuel mileage.

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

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Countryman’s rear seats recline. The XC40’s rear seats don’t recline.

Flexibility is maximized at the game, campground or a drive-in theatre in the 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 doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

The Countryman has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XC40 with its rear seat folded (47.6 vs. 46.9 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 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 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the 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.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the MINI Countryman and the Volvo XC40, based on reliability, safety and performance.