Compare the2025 MINI Countryman SEVS 2025 Volvo EC40

The MINI Countryman SE 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 EC40 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 Countryman SE. But it costs extra on the EC40.

Both the Countryman SE and the EC40 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.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 60 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is rated below average.

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 Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 71 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 24th.

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 Countryman SE’s electric motors produces 60 more horsepower (308 vs. 248) and 54 lbs.-ft. more torque (364 vs. 310) than the EC40’s standard electric motor.

The Countryman SE has a standard locking charge port which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The EC40 doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

The Countryman SE’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 EC40 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better traction, the Countryman SE’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the EC40 (245/45R19 vs. 235/45R20).

For greater off-road capability the Countryman SE has a greater minimum ground clearance than the EC40 (7.4 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Countryman SE to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Countryman SE has 1.3 inches more front headroom, 2.7 inches more front hip room, .7 inches more rear headroom and 1.7 inches more rear hip room than the EC40.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Countryman SE’s rear seats recline. The EC40’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Countryman SE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the EC40 with its rear seat up (24.8 vs. 15 cubic feet). The Countryman SE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the EC40 with its rear seat folded (56.2 vs. 48.7 cubic feet).

The Countryman SE’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the EC40’s (2646 vs. 2000 pounds).

The Countryman SE has a higher standard payload capacity than the EC40 (1025 vs. 960 lbs.).

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 35% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 23rd.

The Countryman SE’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The EC40 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Countryman SE 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 EC40 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Countryman SE 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 EC40.

The Countryman SE offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the EC40.

The Countryman SE’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 EC40 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The MINI Countryman outsold the Volvo EC40 by almost two to one during 2023.