MINI Countryman vs Volvo EX30
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 4 Aug 2026, price 23 Sep 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$49,990RRP
- no option data for this car
$49,990RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Track the MINI Countryman & Volvo EX30
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Price Breakdown
The MINI Countryman starts from $49,990 before on-road costs, while the Volvo EX30 opens at $49,990. Both land at the same RRP, so on-road costs and dealer deals become the real differentiator.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $54,989 and $54,989 respectively.
The Volvo EX30 currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The MINI Countryman does not: only battery-electric vehicles qualify.
Safety Rundown
Both the MINI Countryman and Volvo EX30 hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 83% for the MINI Countryman and 88% for the Volvo EX30.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 6 of 10 key ADAS systems on the MINI Countryman, against 5 on the Volvo EX30.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 9 in the MINI Countryman and 6 in the Volvo EX30.
Recalls on our record
MINI Countryman
- REC-006442 · published 8 Oct 2025Due to a manufacturing defect, the front passenger and/or driver seatbelts may not meet the required specifications.Year range on the notice: 2025
- REC-006091 · published 2 Oct 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, a component of the brake booster system may have been incorrectly welded and could break.Year range on the notice: 2024
- REC-001008 · published 26 Sep 2018The fault affects the crash protection plate of the high pressure fuel pump in the engine compartment.Year range on the notice: 2016 - 2018
Volvo EX30
- REC-006633 · published 26 Jun 2026Due to a manufacturing issue, some of the cell modules installed in the high voltage battery may overheat at high charge levels.Year range on the notice: 2023 - 2024
- REC-006551 · published 26 Feb 2026Due to a manufacturing issue, the cell modules installed in the high voltage battery may overheat at high charge levels.Year range on the notice: 2023 - 2024
- REC-006524 · published 9 Jan 2026Due to a manufacturing issue, the cell modules installed in the high voltage battery may overheat at high charge levels.Year range on the notice: 2024
- 1 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
49kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 153kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (22kW AC, 153kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The MINI Countryman features a 9.4-inch touchscreen, while the Volvo EX30 gets a 12.3-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The MINI Countryman stands out with ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Volvo EX30. The Volvo EX30 counters with heated front seats and Harman Kardon audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the MINI Countryman gets synthetic leather / cloth upholstery while the Volvo EX30 offers nordico/microtech fabric. Climate control is 2-zone in the MINI Countryman and 1-zone in the Volvo EX30.
Drivetrain
The MINI Countryman uses a Petrol Turbo producing 125kW and 280Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9 seconds.
The Volvo EX30 responds with a Electric making 200kW and 343Nm, paired to a single-speed driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.3 seconds.
The Volvo EX30 has the clear power advantage at 200kW vs 125kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Volvo EX30 is 3.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The MINI Countryman measures 4,444mm long on a 2,692mm wheelbase, 211mm longer than the Volvo EX30 at 4,233mm (2,650mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the MINI Countryman generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 460L in the MINI Countryman and 318L in the Volvo EX30, giving the MINI Countryman a 142L advantage.
For towing, the Volvo EX30 leads with a 1,600kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 100kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m to 11.6m
Based on 11.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (MINI Countryman) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Volvo EX30). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the MINI Countryman if: You need more boot space, or prefer MINI's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volvo EX30 if: You prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer Volvo's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
MINI Countryman: Level on the CarSorted Score at 76, ahead on the category wins
The MINI Countryman comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (76 vs 76), taking 1 of 4 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: performance (Volvo EX30 ahead by 20), practicality (MINI Countryman ahead by 7), safety (MINI Countryman ahead by 6). If boot space matters, the MINI Countryman has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, MINI Countryman and Volvo EX30?
The MINI Countryman is the cheapest at $49,990 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The MINI Countryman uses the least fuel at 6.6L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: MINI Countryman and Volvo EX30 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The MINI Countryman has the largest boot at 460L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Volvo EX30 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,600kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Volvo EX30 makes the most power at 200kW. The Volvo EX30 is quickest to 100km/h in 5.3s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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