Compare the2024 MINI SE CountrymanVS 2024 Ford Escape PHEV

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

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

Both the SE Countryman and the Escape PHEV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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.

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 Escape PHEV’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The SE Countryman’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Escape PHEV’s (12 vs. 5 years).

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. Ford doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Escape PHEV.

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 Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI above average in initial quality. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford 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 Ford 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, Ford is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that MINI vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks MINI third in overall reliability. Ford is ranked 22nd.

The SE Countryman’s standard 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder hybrid produces 11 more horsepower (221 vs. 210) than the Escape PHEV’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the MINI SE Countryman is faster than the Ford Escape PHEV:

The SE Countryman’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Escape PHEV’s standard 60 series tires.

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

The SE Countryman’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53.6% to 46.4%) than the Escape PHEV’s (58% to 42%). This gives the SE Countryman more stable handling and braking.

The SE Countryman handles at .79 G’s, while the Escape PHEV pulls only .73 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The SE Countryman executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the Escape PHEV (27.5 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.9 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

The SE Countryman is 10.3 inches shorter than the Escape PHEV, making the SE Countryman easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the SE Countryman’s rear seats recline. The Escape PHEV’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 Escape PHEV doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the SE Countryman’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by waving your foot, leaving your hands completely free. The Escape PHEV doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than Ford. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in service department satisfaction. With a 35% lower rating, Ford is ranked 22nd.

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 Escape PHEV 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 Escape PHEV’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

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 Escape PHEV 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 Escape PHEV 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 Escape PHEV’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 Escape PHEV offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.