Compare the2024 MINI SE CountrymanVS 2024 Volkswagen ID.4

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 ID.4 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the SE Countryman. But it costs extra on the ID.4.

Both the SE Countryman and the ID.4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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’s corrosion warranty is 5 years and unlimited miles longer than the ID.4’s (12/unlimited vs. 7/100,000).

MINI pays for scheduled maintenance on the SE Countryman for 1 year and 16000 miles longer than Volkswagen pays for maintenance for the ID.4 (3/36,000 vs. 2/20,000).

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 Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI above average in initial quality. With 70 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen 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 Volkswagen 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, Volkswagen is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that MINI vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks MINI third in overall reliability. Volkswagen is ranked 27th.

The SE Countryman’s 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder hybrid produces 20 more horsepower (221 vs. 201) and 55 lbs.-ft. more torque (284 vs. 229) than the ID.4’s standard electric motor.

As tested in Motor Trend the MINI SE Countryman is faster than the Volkswagen ID.4 electric motor:

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 ID.4’s range is only 206 to 291 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 30 minutes for only an 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a professionally installed 220-volt charging station can take up to 8 hours.

The MINI SE Countryman has standard four-wheel disc brakes for better stopping power and improved directional control in poor weather. Only rear drums come on the ID.4. Drums can heat up and make stops longer, especially with antilock brakes that work much harder than conventional brakes.

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 ID.4 Standard’s standard 55 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 ID.4 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The SE Countryman has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The ID.4’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The MINI SE Countryman may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 950 pounds less than the Volkswagen ID.4.

The SE Countryman is 10.7 inches shorter than the ID.4, 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 ID.4’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 ID.4 doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than Volkswagen. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in service department satisfaction. With a 40% lower rating, Volkswagen is ranked 28th.

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 ID.4 has 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 is only available on the ID.4 S/Plus.

The SE Countryman will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the SE Countryman will retain 53.66% of its original price after five years, while the ID.4 only retains 45.85% to 47.55%.