Compare the2023 MINI CountrymanVS 2023 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, plastic fuel tanks, 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.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in initial quality. With 88 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in long-term dependability. With 19 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Volvo is rated below average.

The JCW Countryman’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 54 more horsepower (301 vs. 247) and 73 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 258) than the XC40 B5’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Countryman gets better mileage than 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 B5 Ultimate 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 B5 Plus 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 300 to 400 pounds less than the Volvo XC40.

The Countryman is 5.1 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.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than Volvo. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in service department satisfaction. With a 19% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 12th.

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. The XC40 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To better shield the driver’s vision, the Countryman has a standard dual-element sun visor that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The XC40 doesn’t offer a secondary sun visor.

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