Compare the2025 MINI CountrymanVS 2025 Ford Escape

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Countryman. But it costs extra on the Escape.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Countryman’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Escape doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Countryman and the Escape 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the MINI Countryman is much safer than the Escape:

	Countryman	Escape
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	153	391
Head Peak Forces	no contact	93 G’s
Neck Tension	245 lbs.	379 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	.79 in	1.1 in
Shoulder Force	178 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.02 in	1.77 in
Torso Deflection Rate	7 MPH	8 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	825 lbs.	1160 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	134 lbs.	201 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	1.06 in	1.54 in
Shoulder Force	335 lbs.	379 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.3 in	1.5 in
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	1004 lbs.	1093 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The MINI Countryman achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Escape is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

Warranty

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

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

MINI pays for scheduled maintenance on the 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.

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Countryman’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Escape’s camshafts. If the Escape’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that MINI vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 65 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 23rd.

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.

Engine

The Countryman S’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 61 more horsepower (241 vs. 180) and 96 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 199) than the Escape’s standard 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder. The Countryman S’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 280) than the Escape’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The JCW Countryman’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 62 more horsepower (312 vs. 250) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 280) than the Escape’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Countryman S gets better fuel mileage than the Escape 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder (24 city/32 hwy vs. 23 city/31 hwy).

Regenerative brakes improve the Countryman’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Escape doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Countryman has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Escape. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Transmission

The Countryman offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Escape doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Countryman’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Escape doesn’t offer launch control.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Countryman’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Escape (245/45R19 vs. 225/65R17).

The Countryman’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Escape’s standard 65 series tires. The Countryman’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Escape’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Countryman has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Escape. The Countryman’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the Escape.

Suspension and Handling

The Countryman offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Escape’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For greater off-road capability the Countryman has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Escape (8 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the Countryman to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The Countryman is 5.1 inches shorter than the Escape, making the Countryman easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The Countryman has .7 inches more front headroom, 2.2 inches more front hip room and 3 inches more rear hip room than the Escape.

Cargo Capacity

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

Towing

The Countryman’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Escape’s (3499 vs. 2000 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The Countryman uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Escape uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

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 49% lower rating, Ford is ranked 26th.

Ergonomics

The 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 Escape’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically.

If the windows are left open on the 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 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The 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’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 Countryman to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Escape doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Countryman’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Escape’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

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

The Countryman’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford charges extra for heated mirrors on the Escape.

When the Countryman with available tilt-down mirrors 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’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

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

Both the MINI Countryman and Ford Escape offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Countryman features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Escape’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The 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 Escape.

The Countryman offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Escape.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the MINI Countryman has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Escape.

The Countryman’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Escape Elite/Platinum’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

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