Compare the2026 MINI Countryman SEVS 2026 Ford Escape PHEV

The MINI Countryman SE has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help 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 PHEV doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Countryman SE has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Escape PHEV doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

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

Both the Countryman SE and the Escape PHEV 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.

The MINI Countryman SE weighs 708 pounds more than the Ford Escape PHEV. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Countryman SE comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Escape PHEV’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

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

MINI pays for scheduled maintenance on the Countryman SE for 3 years and 36,000 miles. MINI will pay for tire rotations, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Ford doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Escape PHEV.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that MINI vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI above average in long-term dependability. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Ford is rated below average.

The Countryman SE’s standard electric motors produces 98 more horsepower (308 vs. 210) than the Escape PHEV’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the MINI Countryman SE is faster than the Ford Escape PHEV:

	Countryman SE	Escape PHEV
Zero to 30 MPH	2.1 sec	3.5 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	5 sec	8.2 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	3.1 sec	4.4 sec
Quarter Mile	13.7 sec	16.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	102 MPH	91 MPH

The Countryman SE can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 204 to 212 miles. The Escape PHEV has to start its internal combustion engine after only 37 miles.

The Countryman SE has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Escape PHEV (14.3 vs. 11.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the MINI Countryman SE higher (10 out of 10) than the Ford Escape PHEV (7). This means the Countryman SE produces up to 11.8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Escape PHEV every 15,000 miles.

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 Escape PHEV doesn’t offer launch control.

The Countryman SE stops much shorter than the Escape PHEV:

	Countryman SE	Escape PHEV
70 to 0 MPH	171 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	116 feet	131 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	135 feet	150 feet	Consumer Reports

For better traction, the Countryman SE’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Escape PHEV (245/45R19 vs. 225/60R18).

The Countryman SE’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 PHEV’s standard 60 series tires. The Countryman SE’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Escape PHEV’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Countryman SE offers optional 19-inch wheels. The Escape PHEV’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The Countryman SE’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the Escape PHEV’s (58% to 42%). This gives the Countryman SE more stable handling and braking.

The Countryman SE handles at .85 G’s, while the Escape PHEV pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Countryman SE executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.2 seconds quicker than the Escape PHEV (25.7 seconds @ .73 average G’s vs. 28.9 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

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

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

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

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 Escape PHEV 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 Escape PHEV’s (2645 vs. 1500 pounds).

The Countryman SE uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Escape PHEV 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 27% lower rating, Ford is ranked 22nd.

If the windows are left open on the Countryman SE the driver can close all of them 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 PHEV can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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

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

When the Countryman SE 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 PHEV’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

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

Both the MINI Countryman SE and Ford Escape PHEV offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Countryman SE 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 PHEV’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 SE offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Escape PHEV.

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

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 Escape PHEV doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Countryman SE first among small suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Escape PHEV isn’t in the top three in its category.