Compare the2024 MINI SE CountrymanVS 2023 Chevrolet Bolt

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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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 Bolt 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 has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Bolt doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The SE Countryman’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 Bolt doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the SE Countryman and the Bolt have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 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 Safety Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 231 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Bolt has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

The SE Countryman comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Bolt’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The SE Countryman’s corrosion warranty is 6 years and unlimited miles longer than the Bolt’s (12/unlimited vs. 6/100,000).

MINI pays for scheduled maintenance on the SE Countryman for 3 years and 36,000 miles. MINI will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Chevrolet only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Bolt.

Engine

The SE Countryman’s 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder hybrid produces 21 more horsepower (221 vs. 200) and 18 lbs.-ft. more torque (284 vs. 266) than the Bolt’s electric motor.

As tested in Motor Trend the MINI SE Countryman is faster than the Chevrolet Bolt:

	SE Countryman	Bolt
Zero to 60 MPH	5.9 sec	6.4 sec
Quarter Mile	14.6 sec	15 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

The SE Countryman’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 303 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Bolt’s range is only 259 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 30 minutes for only a 45% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge using a conventional 110-volt outlet can take up to 50 hours.

The SE Countryman has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The Bolt doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and a locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the SE Countryman’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Bolt:

	SE Countryman	Bolt
Front Rotors	13 inches	10.9 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	10.4 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the SE Countryman has larger tires than the Bolt (225/50R18 vs. 215/50R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the SE Countryman has standard 18-inch wheels. Only 17-inch wheels are available on the Bolt.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the MINI SE Countryman has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Chevrolet Bolt has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

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

The SE Countryman has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the SE Countryman flat and controlled during cornering. The Bolt’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the SE Countryman’s wheelbase is 2.7 inches longer than on the Bolt (105.1 inches vs. 102.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the SE Countryman is 2.5 inches wider in the front and 2.6 inches wider in the rear than on the Bolt.

The SE Countryman’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53.6% to 46.4%) than the Bolt’s (55.9% to 44.1%). This gives the SE Countryman more stable handling and braking.

The SE Countryman handles at .79 G’s, while the Bolt pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the SE Countryman has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Bolt (5.8 vs. 5.4 inches), allowing the SE Countryman to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the SE Countryman a Mid-size car, while the Bolt is rated a Small Station Wagon.

The SE Countryman has .4 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front shoulder room, 1.6 inches more rear legroom and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Bolt.

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

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 Bolt doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

Cargo Capacity

The SE Countryman has a larger cargo volume than the Bolt with its rear seat up (17.2 vs. 16.6 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the SE Countryman’s power liftgate can be opened or closed just by waving your foot, leaving your hands completely free. The Bolt doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than Chevrolet. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in service department satisfaction. With a 21% lower rating, Chevrolet is ranked 16th.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the SE Countryman, the optional memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The Bolt doesn’t offer a memory system.

The SE Countryman Iconic has a standard 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 Bolt doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The SE Countryman’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Bolt’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the SE Countryman the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Bolt can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The SE Countryman’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Bolt’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 Bolt doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the SE Countryman has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Bolt doesn’t offer cornering lights.

When the SE Countryman is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Bolt’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The SE Countryman’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Bolt offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

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 Bolt.

The SE Countryman’s 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. The Bolt doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the SE Countryman and the Bolt offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the SE Countryman has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Bolt doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The SE Countryman Iconic’s Automatic Parking Assistant can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Bolt doesn’t offer an automated parking system.