Compare the2024 MINI SE CountrymanVS 2024 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid

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 Niro Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

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 Niro Plug-In Hybrid 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 Niro Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the SE Countryman and the Niro Plug-In Hybrid 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available front parking sensors.

The MINI SE Countryman weighs 590 pounds more than the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 207 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid has not been tested, yet.

The SE Countryman’s corrosion warranty is 7 years and unlimited miles longer than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s (12/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

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. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Niro Plug-In Hybrid.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that MINI vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks MINI third in overall reliability. Kia is ranked 10th.

The SE Countryman’s 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder hybrid produces 41 more horsepower (221 vs. 180) and 89 lbs.-ft. more torque (284 vs. 195) than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the MINI SE Countryman is faster than the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid:

For better stopping power the SE Countryman’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Niro Plug-In Hybrid:

For better traction, the SE Countryman has larger tires than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid (225/50R18 vs. 205/60R16).

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 Niro Plug-In Hybrid EX’s standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the SE Countryman has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Niro Plug-In Hybrid EX.

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 Niro Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The SE Countryman has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The SE Countryman’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53.6% to 46.4%) than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s (57% to 43%). This gives the SE Countryman more stable handling and braking.

The SE Countryman executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid EX (27.5 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

The SE Countryman is 4.2 inches shorter than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid, 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 Niro Plug-In Hybrid’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 Niro Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in service department satisfaction. With a 39% lower rating, Kia is ranked 26th.

The SE Countryman’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Niro Plug-In Hybrid SX’s power windows, only the front windows open or 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 Niro Plug-In Hybrid can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 Niro Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The SE Countryman’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid EX’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

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

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 Niro Plug-In Hybrid 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 Niro Plug-In Hybrid.