Compare the2026 MINI Countryman SEVS 2026 Volvo EX40

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 EX40 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 EX40.

Both the Countryman SE and the EX40 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.

MINI pays for scheduled maintenance on the Countryman SE for 1 year and 16000 miles longer than Volvo pays for maintenance for the EX40 (3/36,000 vs. 2/20,000).

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.

The Countryman SE’s electric motors produces 60 more horsepower (308 vs. 248) and 54 lbs.-ft. more torque (364 vs. 310) than the EX40 Single Motor’s standard electric motor.

On the EPA test cycle the Countryman SE 18-inch wheels gets better mileage than the EX40 Twin Motor (99 city/94 hwy vs. 103 city/85 hwy MPGe).

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 EX40 doesn’t offer launch control.

The Countryman SE stops shorter than the EX40:

For better traction, the Countryman SE’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the EX40 (245/45R19 vs. 235/50R19).

The Countryman SE handles at .85 G’s, while the EX40 AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Countryman SE executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the EX40 Ultra (25.7 seconds @ .73 average G’s vs. 26.7 seconds @ .73 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Countryman SE has a greater minimum ground clearance than the EX40 (7.4 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the Countryman SE to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Countryman SE has 3.1 inches more front headroom, 2.7 inches more front hip room, .9 inches more rear legroom and 1.7 inches more rear hip room than the EX40.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Countryman SE’s rear seats recline. The EX40’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Countryman SE has a much larger cargo volume than the EX40 with its rear seat up (24.8 vs. 18.9 cubic feet).

The Countryman SE’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the EX40’s (2645 vs. 2000 pounds).

The Countryman SE has a higher standard payload capacity than the EX40 (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 28% 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 EX40 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 EX40 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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. Heated windshield washer nozzles cost extra on the EX40.

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 EX40.

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 EX40.

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 EX40 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 EX40 isn’t in the top three in its category.