EX30 vs Mini Cooper SE

[Ste007]

Having recently become a 2 EV household with the acquisition of a Mini Cooper SE I thought I might compare and contrast with the Volvo EX30. Originally my other half was looking to get the Aceman but after much deliberation there didn’t seem to be much point in having 2 medium sized crossovers so the Mini Cooper will be the ‘second’ car.

Similarities:
- Both cars are a joy to drive, simple, quick, comfortable, great fun. The mini suspension is a bit firmer but that is to be expected.
- The equipment levels and driver aids on both are similar, the only exception being the manual seats in the mini.
- Both have most of the controls on the infotainment screen
- Build quality is very similar.
- Both have full one pedal driving: I was a bit hesitant about one pedal initially but having gotten used to it I now love it. I can go pretty much the whole journey without touching the brakes at all.
- Both have a similar real world range of about 200 miles.
- Both have unlocking on approach which (in my experience) seem to work well.
- Both our cars were built (very well) in China though that will probably change in future.

Differences:
- The Volvo is much more powerful and has 4 wheel drive when needed. The overall feel of speed and acceleration are similar though as the Mini is a much smaller car.
- Volvo is rear wheel drive (most of the time), Mini is front wheel drive.
- The Mini has a funky interior design whereas the Volvo is much more minimalistic.
- The Mini has a heads-up display which can convey a surprising amount of information

Volvo Pros:
- The Volvo obviously has more space, particularly in the rear and the boot.
- EX30 has 5 doors where the Mini has 3
- The suspension on the Volvo is less harsh giving a quieter, slightly more comfortable drive.
- The Volvo has memory seats so there is less of a faff when switching drivers.
- The Volvo has all round cameras making reversing and parking much easier.

Mini pros:
- Smaller car for use round town
- Infotainment system is brighter, bolder and more colourful. It seems better laid out with the important information easier to see at a glance. This is enhanced by the HUD which shows speed, speed limits and state of charge.
- CarPlay just works! My iPhone connects without fail each time.
- The driver alerts are much less intrusive. Where I switch them all off in the Volvo before each journey, it isn’t necessary in the Mini as they just aren’t as distracting.
- one pedal braking is adjustable to 3 levels, the most useful of which is the strongest. Gives much more reassurance that the car will stop in good time at junctions and in traffic.
- The Mini has the touch to lock on both driver’s and passenger’s door handles whereas the Volvo’s is only on the driver’s door handle.
- The Mini remote has actual buttons to lock and unlock the car.
- The Mini app is just plain better.

Conclusions
There are probably many other things I could mention but these are the main points. Both cars are great to drive, similar in many ways but different in others. I think overall though the Mini has the edge.

Comments are welcome

[Geoff]

If the Mini had four-wheel drive, I would not have bought the EX30.

I don’t find the EX30 particularly easy to drive, you can’t just unlock the car, get in, select drive and move off. First, the doors may or may not open without tugging the handle then once you’re in you have to search through the menus to switch off as many of the driver aids as possible in an attempt to avoid the automatic emergency braking and steering. And even then, the car will perform differently one day to another. The latest trick mine plays is to make the regen erratic.

[Ste007]

So sorry you are having these problems. My EX30 unlocks reliably using the ‘approach to open’ setting. I keep my key in a Faraday box so it is not in continuous communication with the car and also helping to prolong the fob battery life. I find I can turn off all the driver aids I need to from the ‘car’ page (1 press to access).

The Mini still has a few quirks - the car needs to be switched on before it can be driven, one pedal drive requires 2 presses on the drive selector to activate (both are extra steps over the EX30).

[Geoff]

What and where is the ‘approach to open’ setting?

[gloucester]

Simply the normal remote unlocking as you approach the car.

[Ste007]

If I remember correctly, this is not enabled by default and needs to be switched on. Once enabled it will remember this setting unless changed by the user.

[Geoff]

I have only ever used the proximity fob so the car must be enabled - even if it feels disabled some of the time.

[Harald]

Thanks for a dispassionate comparison. They are appreciated

[andrewollason]

Great review Ste007.

[SeX30]

[
- The Mini has the touch to lock on both driver’s and passenger’s door handles whereas the Volvo’s is only on the driver’s door handle.
-

This is why I like this forum.
I never knew my EX30 had touch to lock on the drivers side! I assume though this is only if you have the smart key thing handy?
I only have the app and the credit card key thing so maybe this won’t do it for me.
My EV9 has touch to lock on both sides, but not walk away proximity lock (has approach locks) UNLESS, you have powered the car off first. Takes some getting used to turning on your car!!