Compare the2025 MINI Countryman SEVS 2025 Volvo EX30

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 EX30 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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 EX30.

Both the Countryman SE and the EX30 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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.

The MINI Countryman SE weighs 448 to 730 pounds more than the Volvo EX30. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 40 more horsepower (308 vs. 268) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (364 vs. 253) than the EX30’s standard electric motor.

The Countryman SE has a standard locking charge port which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The EX30 doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Countryman SE’s wheelbase is 1.7 inches longer than on the EX30 (106 inches vs. 104.3 inches).

The Countryman SE has 3.1 inches more front hip room, .6 inches more front shoulder room, 2.8 inches more rear legroom, 10 inches more rear hip room and 1.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the EX30.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Countryman SE’s rear seats recline. The EX30’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Countryman SE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the EX30 with its rear seat up (24.8 vs. 11.2 cubic feet). The Countryman SE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the EX30 with its rear seat folded (56.2 vs. 27.8 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Countryman SE’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by waving your foot, leaving your hands completely free. The EX30 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Countryman SE’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the EX30’s (2646 vs. 2000 pounds).

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.

When two different drivers share the Countryman SE, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The EX30 doesn’t offer a memory system.

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 EX30 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 EX30 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Countryman SE’s standard power window controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The EX30’s available power window controls are spread out on the center console where they can’t be seen without the driver completely removing his eyes from the road.

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 EX30.

The Countryman SE has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The EX30 doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

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 EX30.

The Countryman SE has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the EX30 Plus/Ultra.

Both the Countryman SE and the EX30 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Countryman SE has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The EX30 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

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 EX30 Ultra’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.