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

- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- Cooper All4 4dr SUV, Cooper S All4 / John Cooper Works All4 4dr SUV, Cooper Se All4
- Engines
- 1.5L 3-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 134–189 hp
- Transmission
- 7-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline, Plug-in Hybrid
- MPG (best)
- 29 combined · 29 city / 33 hwy
- Length
- 169.7 in
- Curb weight
- 3,510–3,957 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Strong performanceUp to 189 hp, versus about 145 hp for similar 2021 models.
- Plug-in hybrid version availableOffered as a plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
- Few owner complaints2 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 20 for similar models.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 13 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2021 MINI Countryman is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (1.5L 3-cyl turbo and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 170 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 105-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,510 lb (Cooper All4 4dr SUV).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 29 MPG combined (29 city / 33 highway), 6% better than the 2021 midsize car average of 27.4 MPG, for an estimated $2,850 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the vehicle speed control.
What changed for 2021
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2020 Countryman — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 Countryman →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Born, Netherlands
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 2 2021 Countryman configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper All4 4dr SUV | 169.7 in | 71.7 in | 61.4 in | 105.1 in | 62.2 / 62.2 in | 3,510 lb | 58/42 |
| Cooper S All4 / John Cooper Works All4 4dr SUV | 169.7 in | 71.7 in | 61.4 in | 105.1 in | 62.2 / 62.2 in | 3,629 lb | 58/42 |
| Cooper Se All4 | 169.7 in | 71.7 in | 61.4 in | 105.1 in | 62.2 / 62.2 in | 3,957 lb | 58/42 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper Countryman | 1.5L 3-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 33 / 29 | +6% | $2,850 | 306 |
| Cooper SE Countryman All4 Plug-in Hybrid | 1.5L 3-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 29 / 30 / 29 | +6% | $2,850 | 175 |
| Cooper S Countryman | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 33 / 28 | +2% | $2,950 | 321 |
| Cooper Countryman All4 | 1.5L 3-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 / 32 / 27 | -1% | $3,050 | 330 |
| Cooper S Countryman All4 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 / 31 / 26 | -5% | $3,150 | 341 |
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 Countryman.
Similar 2021 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 MINI Countryman (this car) | 29 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2021 Honda Civic | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2021 Toyota Prius | 56 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2021 Nissan Leaf | 226 mi | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2021 Mazda 6 | 29 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Toyota C-HR | 29 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2021 Nissan Kicks | 33 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
Recalls (2)
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).
Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery · Sep 30, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V601000 · 4,509 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 530e iPerformance and X3 xDrive30e and MINI Cooper Countryman All4 SE, 2020 BMW i8, and 2021 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le xDrive and X5 xDrive45e vehicles. Debris may have entered one or more of the hybrid battery cells during their production.
- Risk
- The debris could result in a short-circuit, increasing the risk of fire or injury.
- Fix
- BMW will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery module free of charge. The remedy is currently being developed. Until the remedy is completed, drivers are instructed to not charge their vehicles. Drivers are instructed to not drive in manual mode, sport mode, and to not use the shift paddles. Owners were notified of the safety risk October 23, 2020. The recall began November 24, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Not every 2021 MINI Countryman is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2021 MINI Countryman buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Vehicle Speed Control — 1 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 1 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 1 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- 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 Countryman. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Countryman years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Countryman | 27 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Countryman | 27 | 175.2 in | Not rated | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 Countryman | 27 | 175.2 in | Not rated | 6 | 19 |
| 2024 Countryman | 28 | 169.7 in | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 Countryman | 29 | 169.7 in | Not rated | 0 | 2 |
| 2022 Countryman | 29 | 169.7 in | Not rated | 0 | 2 |
| 2020 Countryman | 29 | 169.7 in | Not rated | 2 | 6 |
| 2019 Countryman | 28 | 169.7 in | Not rated | 2 | 11 |
| 2018 Countryman | 28 | 169.7 in | Not rated | 1 | 11 |
| 2017 Countryman | 28 | 169.7 in | Not rated | 1 | 7 |
| 2016 Countryman | 29 | 161.8 in | Not rated | 0 | 15 |
| 2015 Countryman | 29 | 161.8 in | Not rated | 0 | 13 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or MINI. How we calculate this →