Compare the2025 Ford Escape PHEVVS 2025 MINI Countryman SE

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Ford Escape PHEV have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The MINI Countryman SE doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Ford Escape PHEV 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.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Ford Escape PHEV achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The MINI Countryman SE has not been tested.

Both the Escape PHEV and the Countryman SE have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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.

Ford’s powertrain warranty covers the Escape PHEV 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 over 30 times as many Ford dealers as there are MINI dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Escape PHEV’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than MINI vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in initial quality. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, MINI is rated lower.

On the EPA test cycle the Escape PHEV running on electricity gets better mileage than the Countryman SE:

The Escape PHEV’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 503 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Countryman SE’s range is only 204 to 212 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 29 minutes for only an 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge using a conventional 110-volt outlet can take up to 59 hours and 30 minutes.

The Escape PHEV has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Countryman SE; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better maneuverability, the Escape PHEV’s turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the Countryman SE’s (37.2 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

The Ford Escape PHEV may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 700 pounds less than the MINI Countryman SE.

The front grille of the Escape PHEV 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 Escape PHEV has 2 inches more front legroom, 1.9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.9 inches more rear headroom, 3.8 inches more rear legroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Countryman SE.

The Escape PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Countryman SE with its rear seat up (34.4 vs. 24.8 cubic feet). The Escape PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Countryman SE with its rear seat folded (60.8 vs. 56.2 cubic feet).

The Escape PHEV can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Escape PHEV can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Countryman SE can’t be towed flat on the ground.

A Trailer Sway Control is standard on the Escape PHEV, using the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the Countryman SE.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Escape PHEV’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Countryman SE doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Assist eCall can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Escape PHEV has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Countryman SE only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

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

Compared to the MINI Countryman SE, the Ford Escape PHEV 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 driver’s visor.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Ford Escape PHEV, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Ford Escape outsold the MINI Countryman by almost 13 to one during 2024.