Compare the2024 MINI Cooper SEVS 2024 Volvo C40 Recharge

The MINI Cooper SE 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 C40 Recharge doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the Cooper SE and the C40 Recharge 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 and available front parking sensors.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 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 71 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.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that MINI vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks MINI third in overall reliability. Volvo is ranked 25th.

On the EPA test cycle the Cooper SE gets better mileage than the C40 Recharge:

The Cooper SE has a standard locking charge port which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The C40 Recharge doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

The Cooper SE stops shorter than the C40 Recharge:

The Cooper SE 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. The C40 Recharge’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better maneuverability, the Cooper SE’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the C40 Recharge’s (35.1 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

The MINI Cooper SE may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1650 pounds less than the Volvo C40 Recharge.

The Cooper SE is 1 foot, 11.1 inches shorter than the C40 Recharge, making the Cooper SE easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Cooper SE is 5.7 inches narrower than the C40 Recharge, making the Cooper SE easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The Cooper SE has .9 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom and .2 inches more rear headroom than the C40 Recharge.

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Cooper SE easier. The Cooper SE’s trunk lift-over height is 26 inches, while the C40 Recharge’s liftover is 29.2 inches.

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 Cooper SE Iconic has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning, navigation instruction and infotainment readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The C40 Recharge doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To better shield the driver’s vision, the Cooper SE has a standard dual-element sun visor that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The C40 Recharge doesn’t offer a secondary sun visor.

The Cooper SE has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the C40 Recharge.

The Cooper SE Iconic’s Parking Assistant can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The C40 Recharge doesn’t offer an automated parking system.