Makes›MINI›Cooper›2021

2021 MINI Cooper

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.

Class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
1.5L 3-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
EV, Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
31 combined · 28 city / 37 hwy
EV range
110 mi · 4 h on 240 V
Length
–
Curb weight
–
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 31 MPG combined — 32% better than the average 2021 subcompact car (23.4 MPG).
  • Electric version availableOffered as a electric as well as gas.

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2021 MINI Cooper is a subcompact car offered with 2 engines (1.5L 3-cyl turbo and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 31 MPG combined (28 city / 37 highway), 32% better than the 2021 subcompact car average of 23.4 MPG, for an estimated $700 a year in fuel.

The electric version has an EPA-rated range of up to 110 miles and takes about 4 hours to charge on a 240-volt Level 2 charger.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

What changed for 2021

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2020 Cooper — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 Cooper →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Cooper SE Hardtop 2 door EV135 kW DCPMAutomatic (A1)Front-Wheel Drive110 mi · 31.2795 kWh/100mi–$700–
Cooper Convertible1.5L 3-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S7)Front-Wheel Drive28 / 37 / 31+50%$2,650280
Cooper Hardtop 2 door1.5L 3-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S7)Front-Wheel Drive28 / 37 / 31+32%$2,650280
Cooper Hardtop 4 door1.5L 3-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S7)Front-Wheel Drive28 / 37 / 31+32%$2,650280
Cooper S Hardtop 2 door2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S7)Front-Wheel Drive26 / 35 / 30+28%$2,750299
Cooper S Hardtop 4 door2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S7)Front-Wheel Drive26 / 35 / 30+28%$2,750299
Cooper Convertible1.5L 3-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive26 / 37 / 30+45%$2,750292
Cooper Hardtop 2 door1.5L 3-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive26 / 37 / 30+28%$2,750292
Cooper Hardtop 4 door1.5L 3-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive26 / 37 / 30+28%$2,750292
Cooper S Convertible2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S7)Front-Wheel Drive26 / 34 / 29+40%$2,850307
Cooper S Hardtop 2 door2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive23 / 33 / 27+15%$3,050329
Cooper S Hardtop 4 door2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive23 / 33 / 27+15%$3,050329
Cooper S Convertible2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive23 / 32 / 26+26%$3,150336
10/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
10/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $8,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
23.4 MPG2021 Subcompact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2021 MINI Cooper.

Similar 2021 subcompact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2021 MINI Cooper (this car)31 MPGNot rated4
2021 MINI John Cooper Works29 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (4)

Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery Thermal › Management › Software · Aug 15, 2024

NHTSA campaign 24V612000 · 12,535 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2024 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper SE) vehicles. Faults may occur in the high voltage battery or high voltage system, resulting in a short circuit.
Risk
A short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Fix
Owners are advised that if a warning message is displayed in the vehicle, to park the vehicle outside and away from structures until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will provide a software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 14, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-866-ASK-MINI (1-866-275-6464).
Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery · Apr 29, 2024

NHTSA campaign 24V302000 · 145 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2024 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper SE) vehicles. The high voltage battery housing may not have been sealed properly, allowing water to enter the battery.
Risk
A high voltage battery with water damage can cause a fire or a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect and leak test the high voltage battery, and repair the battery as necessary, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed June 28, 2024. Owner notification letters were mailed October 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Seat Belts · Jul 21, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V554000 · 21,537 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e Xdrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive) M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, BMW 4 Series Convertible (430i, M440i), BMW X1 sDrive28i, xDrive28i, 2 Series Gran Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i xDrive), M2 Competition Coupe, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, M3, M3 Competition, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, CooperS, JCW), X2 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i, X2 M35i, Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper SE), MINI Convertible (Cooper, Cooper S, JCW), MINI Clubman (Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW), MINI Countryman (Cooper, Cooper All4, Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW All4), Rolls Royce Ghost, MINI Countryman (Cooper S E All4), Rolls Royce Phantom, Rolls Royce Cullinan, and Toyota Supra vehicles. The passenger seat belt Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, before the webbing fully retracts. As such, these assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk
During a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.
Fix
Dealers will inspect the seat belt retractors (including the seat belts) and, if necessary, replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417; 1-866-825-1525 (MINI); 1-877-877-3735 (Rolls Royce); and 1-888-270-9371 (Toyota).
Air Bags › Side/Window › Curtain · May 20, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V283000 · 76 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X1 xDrive28i, X1 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i and X2 sDrive28i, 2020 MINI Clubman Cooper S All4, 2021 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and Cooper S E) and MINI Hardtop 4 Door (Cooper and Cooper S) vehicles. Due to a problem with the rollover sensor within the air bag control unit, in the event of a rollover crash, the head air bag, seat belt pretensioners and other safety systems, may not activate.
Risk
If the safety systems do not deploy as intended in a roll over crash, it may increase the risk of injury.
Fix
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began July 17, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2021 MINI Cooper is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

7Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
1Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
2Injuries reported
Electrical System3
Tires1
Air Bags1
Steering1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
21/10: 122/08: 122/11: 122/12: 123/04: 124/02: 124/12: 121/1022/0822/1122/1223/0424/0224/12max 1

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2021 MINI Cooper buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 3 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. Tires — 1 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
  4. Air Bags — 1 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  5. Battery health. Ask for a battery state-of-health report, check the remaining battery warranty, and compare the displayed range at 100% charge with the EPA's 110 miles.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 MINI Cooper. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Cooper years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Cooper31–Not rated00
2026 Cooper32152.8 inNot rated13
2025 Cooper32152.8 inNot rated46
2024 Cooper32–Not rated22
2023 Cooper32–Not rated212
2022 Cooper32–Not rated29
2020 Cooper31–Not rated413
2019 Cooper32–Not rated217
2018 Cooper32–Not rated08
2017 Cooper32–Not rated334
2016 Cooper32–Not rated451
2015 Cooper32–Not rated674

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or MINI. How we calculate this →