Compare the2025 Subaru SolterraVS 2025 MINI Countryman SE

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Solterra have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision. The MINI Countryman SE doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Solterra are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The MINI Countryman SE doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the Solterra and the Countryman SE have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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.

The Subaru Solterra has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Countryman SE has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Subaru’s powertrain warranty covers the Solterra 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than MINI covers the Countryman SE. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Countryman SE ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 7 times as many Subaru dealers as there are MINI dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Solterra’s warranty.

On the EPA test cycle the Solterra gets better mileage than the Countryman SE:

The Solterra can travel longer on a full charge than the Countryman SE on a full charge:

The Solterra’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Countryman SE are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Solterra has larger tires than the Countryman SE (235/60R18 vs. 225/55R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Solterra Limited/Touring/Onyx has standard 20-inch wheels. The Countryman SE’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Solterra’s wheelbase is 6.2 inches longer than on the Countryman SE (112.2 inches vs. 106 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Solterra is .8 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than on the Countryman SE.

For better maneuverability, the Solterra’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Countryman SE’s (36.7 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Solterra has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Countryman SE (8.3 vs. 7.4 inches), allowing the Solterra to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Subaru Solterra may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 200 pounds less than the MINI Countryman SE.

The front grille of the Solterra uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Countryman SE doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Solterra has 1.7 inches more front legroom, 2.1 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, .2 inches more rear legroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Countryman SE.

The Solterra has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Countryman SE with its rear seat folded (63.5 vs. 56.2 cubic feet).

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Solterra has standard extendable sun visors. The Countryman SE doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Both the Solterra and the Countryman SE have standard heated front seats. The Solterra Limited/Touring/Onyx also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Countryman SE.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Solterra Touring/Onyx keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Countryman SE doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Compared to the MINI Countryman SE, the Subaru Solterra eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.