Compare the2026 MINI Countryman SEVS 2025 Mercedes EQB

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 EQB 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 EQB.

The Countryman SE’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the EQB.

Both the Countryman SE and the EQB 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, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Countryman SE’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the EQB’s (12 vs. 5 years).

MINI pays for scheduled maintenance on the Countryman SE for 3 years and 36,000 miles. MINI will pay for tire rotations, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the EQB.

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 Mercedes 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, Mercedes is rated below average.

The Countryman SE’s electric motors produces 120 more horsepower (308 vs. 188) and 80 lbs.-ft. more torque (364 vs. 284) than the EQB 250+’s standard electric motor. The Countryman SE’s electric motors produces 83 more horsepower (308 vs. 225) and 76 lbs.-ft. more torque (364 vs. 288) than the EQB 300’s standard electric motors. The Countryman SE’s electric motors produces 20 more horsepower (308 vs. 288) than the EQB 350’s standard electric motors.

As tested in Motor Trend the MINI Countryman SE is faster than the EQB 350 electric motors:

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

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

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 EQB doesn’t offer launch control.

The Countryman SE stops much shorter than the EQB:

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

The Countryman SE handles at .85 G’s, while the EQB 350 4MATIC pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Countryman SE executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the EQB 350 4MATIC (25.7 seconds @ .73 average G’s vs. 27.4 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

The Countryman SE is 9.4 inches shorter than the EQB, making the Countryman SE easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Countryman SE has a much larger cargo volume than the EQB with its rear seat up (24.8 vs. 10.7 cubic feet).

Optional Trailer Stabilization Control on the Countryman SE uses the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The EQB doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in service department satisfaction. With a 14% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 14th.

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 EQB.

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 EQB.

The Countryman SE is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the EQB, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the Countryman SE offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the EQB.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the Countryman SE equipped with HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The EQB, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the MINI Countryman SE empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

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 EQB’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

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 EQB isn’t in the top three.

The MINI Countryman outsold the Mercedes EQB by 57% during 2025.