Compare the2024 MINI SE CountrymanVS 2024 Volvo XC40 Recharge

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 XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

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 XC40 Recharge.

Both the SE Countryman and the XC40 Recharge 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.

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.

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 XC40 Recharge’s range is only 254 to 293 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 28 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.

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 XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The MINI SE Countryman may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 750 pounds less than the Volvo XC40 Recharge.

The SE Countryman is 4.4 inches shorter than the XC40 Recharge, making the SE Countryman easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The SE Countryman has 2.9 inches more front headroom and 1.5 inches more rear legroom than the XC40 Recharge.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the SE Countryman’s rear seats recline. The XC40 Recharge’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 XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

The SE Countryman has a much larger cargo volume than the XC40 Recharge with its rear seat up (17.2 vs. 16 cubic feet).

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 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 XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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. Heated windshield washer nozzles cost extra on the XC40 Recharge.

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 XC40 Recharge.

The SE Countryman Iconic’s Automatic Parking Assistant can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the SE Countryman owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the SE Countryman will cost $1500 to $1930 less than the XC40 Recharge over a five-year period.

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 XC40 Recharge only retains 49.64% to 50.07%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the MINI SE Countryman will be $6843 to $11647 less than for the Volvo XC40 Recharge.