Compare the2024 MINI SE CountrymanVS 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale

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 Tonale 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 Tonale 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.

Both the SE Countryman and the Tonale 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, all wheel drive, 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.

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 Tonale has not been tested, yet.

The SE Countryman’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Tonale’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. Alfa Romeo only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Tonale.

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 Alfa Romeo 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, Alfa Romeo is rated below average.

On the EPA test cycle the SE Countryman running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the Tonale running its gasoline engine (29 city/30 hwy vs. 29 city/29 hwy).

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 Tonale’s 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 Tonale doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the SE Countryman’s wheelbase is 1.3 inches longer than on the Tonale (105.1 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

For greater off-road capability the SE Countryman has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Tonale (5.8 vs. 5.6 inches), allowing the SE Countryman to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The MINI SE Countryman may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 pounds less than the Alfa Romeo Tonale.

The SE Countryman is 8.5 inches shorter than the Tonale, 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 Tonale’s rear seats don’t recline.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than Alfa Romeo. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in service department satisfaction. With a 72% lower rating, Alfa Romeo is ranked 32nd.

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 Tonale doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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 Tonale’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The MINI Countryman outsold the Alfa Romeo Tonale by almost six to one during 2023.