The best electric MINI yet? New MINI Countryman vs Volvo EX30 | Electrifying

#minicountryman #volvoex30 #electriccars

Sometimes it can be tricky to keep up. We remember when MINIs were small cars and Volvos were huge. But in this video we are testing a Volvo EX30 that’s smaller than a not so mini MINI Countryman.

That may seem topsy turvy, but these two are both around the same price and are bound to be on your shopping list if you want a small electric family car and are keen for something a little more ‘premium’ than the average small SUV.

First, some background. The new Countryman is the largest MINI ever made. At more than 4.4 metres long, it’s bigger than well known family cars like the Nissan Qashqai. It’s almost one and a half original classic Minis long! Now that might upset some of the purists out there, but it does mean that someone with a growing family can still have a MINI. And there’s a lot about them to like.

The Countryman has a 64.6 kWh usable battery, which gives a range of 256 miles – that’s about 3.5/m per kWh. Which is ok, but not outstanding. Charging peaks at 130 kW on a DC point, which MINI says will get you a 10-80% rapid charge in under 30 minutes. AC charging is at 11kW unless you tick the options boxes again and upgrade to 22kW.

The Volvo also comes 64kWh but it can squeeze an extra 23 miles out of it to give a 279 mile range. Peak DC rapid-charging rates top out at 153kW, so a bit quicker than the MINI. It also gets a 22kW AC capability as standard to the top-spec Ultra too.

But which is the one to go for and which is the better car? Join Ginny and Nicky as they pitch the MINI Countryman and the Volvo EX30 head-to-head for the first time. Do you agree with their verdict? Let us know in the comments below.

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[Kurre.]

Just to point out a few oddities in the video…

The EX30 does have Apple CarPlay (it was added a month ago) and there were a lot of strong opinions on the optional decor which is one of 3 different available options…

[Jawlf]

With the Mini, I thought of the Kia EV3. We need these cars under the magic £40, 000 to avoid the UK luxury car tax.

[jedoka]

The Mini Aceman will probably the more equal to the EX30, when it arrives in the next few months

[CybrRafi]

BOTH of YOU are my favorite, Great video 🤩

[norwaybirds]

These ladies on electrifying channel do the best reviews of cars. All the info you need and none of the pointless rubbish from other channels. Nicola, Ginny and Nicky are the best. ❤

[allen]

When I was ordering my 2024 Mini Cooper s, I looked at the 2025 of that one. I was very impressed with it. Much nicer than a mini van. Was in the market for a fun car.

[crm.]

Nice review. However, the forthcoming Kia EV3 looks better value than both these.

[TheOneDanTek]

id love a modern volvo like the ex30 outside my house 😍 its sooo sleek

[victoraddison]

Great review! I'm looking forward to purchasing the JCW.

[barkan]

When I drive my TMER EX30 Ultra I keep smiling. 3.6 s to 100. It is WOW!

[actuallypaulstanley]

More than happy with our ex30 twin motor ultra.

[jamesmccormack]

Having been in both these cars, I do think you have been a little harsh on the Volvo, it's got a great feeling well put together clever interior, it's not going for the same look as the Mini, it's sleek Scandi style. The Mini is a little more busy and youthful and aimed more at being a fun interior. The Mini centre screen I found to be laggy and not intuitive at all, having to press the home button just to escape the sub-menus. It was also really clear that Mini has a lot of extras fitted.

[bungg]

I ordered the EX30 few weeks ago. Now watching every EX30 review :D Still need to wait a few months

[ashtaroth]

Ginny you can't complain about the speedometer being on the central screen in the Volvo and then fiddling with the Mini's screen looking at the hummingbird and the cheetah

[gileshalliwell]

The real problem with all the £40, 000 plus cars is that from April 2025 they will be subject to the luxury car tax as well as road tax meaning almost £600 a year!

[GeorgeThoughts]

It's so interesting to me that I was incredibly excited for the EX30, finally a Volvo I might be able to afford! I've always wanted a Volvo. But after seeing the interior and the choices they made, namely the "everything on one screen" style... I've been put right off the EX30 and I'm looking at the Renault Megane E-Tech instead.

[garson]

And waiting in the wings to blow them both away ~ the Kia Ev3

[fredbloggs]

I've said it before, if you want a better car than the EX30, get a Smart #1, not only has it got a HUD on some models, the shape of door pillar gives it a more open feel.

[Rufusf]

Its funny how we all have different tastes, i would have the volvo 100 times over, I just dont get minis personally. Shame the volvos too small for me!

[yingmustang]

Common my love, you can do it with ya Range Rover in a thight country roads, that was simply funny 😂😂😂