Compare the2026 MINI Countryman SEVS 2026 Volvo EX30

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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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 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.

Warranty

MINI pays for scheduled maintenance on the Countryman SE for 1 year and 16000 miles longer than Volvo pays for maintenance for the EX30 (3/36,000 vs. 2/20,000).

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Countryman SE’s reliability 12 points higher than the EX30.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that MINI vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. With 40 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks MINI higher than Volvo.

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 Volvo 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, Volvo is rated below average.

Engine

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.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Countryman SE gets better mileage than the EX30:

			MPGe
Countryman SE
	AWD	18-inch wheels Electric Motors	99 city/94 hwy
		19-inch wheels Electric Motors	94 city/88 hwy
EX30
	AWD	Cross Country All-Terrain Tires Electric Motors	95 city/83 hwy

The Countryman SE can travel longer on a full charge than the EX30 on a full charge:

			Miles
Countryman SE
	AWD	18-inch wheels Electric Motors	212 miles
		19-inch wheels Electric Motors	204 miles
EX30
	AWD	Cross Country All-Terrain Tires Electric Motors	203 miles

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.

Brakes and Stopping

The Countryman SE stops shorter than the EX30:

	Countryman SE	EX30
60 to 0 MPH	116 feet	123 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	135 feet	139 feet	Consumer Reports

Suspension and Handling

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 handles at .85 G’s, while the EX30 Cross Country Ultra pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Countryman SE executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the EX30 Cross Country Ultra (25.7 seconds @ .73 average G’s vs. 26.2 seconds @ .74 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Countryman SE has a greater minimum ground clearance than the EX30 (7.4 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Countryman SE to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The Countryman SE has 3.1 inches more front hip room, .6 inches more front shoulder room, 4.7 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.

Cargo Capacity

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. 12.4 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.

Towing

The Countryman SE’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the EX30’s (2645 vs. 2000 pounds).

Servicing Ease

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 28% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 23rd.

Ergonomics

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, navigation instruction and driver assistance information 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.

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 EX30 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 EX30 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Countryman SE’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The EX30’s power mirror controls are embedded in the infotainment system, seriously distracting drivers who have to adjust them while driving.

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.

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.

Recommendations

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 EX30 isn’t in the top three.

The MINI Countryman outsold the Volvo EX30 by over two to one during 2025.

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