Makes›MINI›Countryman›2021

2021 MINI Countryman

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

MINI Countryman
Pictured: 2018 Mini Countryman Cooper S 2.0 Front. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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

Engine134 hp2.0L 3-cyl
Engine189 hp2.0L 4-cyl
Transmission7-speed automatic
DriveFWD
Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

CooperCooper S

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard
Forward collision warningStandard
Adaptive cruise controlOptional
Parking assistOptional
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Keyless startStandard
LED headlightsYes

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

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Cooper All4 4dr SUV169.7 in71.7 in61.4 in105.1 in62.2 / 62.2 in3,510 lb58/42
Cooper S All4 / John Cooper Works All4 4dr SUV169.7 in71.7 in61.4 in105.1 in62.2 / 62.2 in3,629 lb58/42
Cooper Se All4169.7 in71.7 in61.4 in105.1 in62.2 / 62.2 in3,957 lb58/42

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Cooper Countryman1.5L 3-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S7)Front-Wheel Drive26 / 33 / 29+6%$2,850306
Cooper SE Countryman All4 Plug-in Hybrid1.5L 3-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive29 / 30 / 29+6%$2,850175
Cooper S Countryman2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S7)Front-Wheel Drive24 / 33 / 28+2%$2,950321
Cooper Countryman All41.5L 3-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive23 / 32 / 27-1%$3,050330
Cooper S Countryman All42.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive23 / 31 / 26-5%$3,150341
8/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
9/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $1,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
27.4 MPG2021 Midsize 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 Countryman.

Similar 2021 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2021 MINI Countryman (this car)29 MPGNot rated2
2021 Honda Civic36 MPG★★★★★4
2021 Toyota Prius56 MPG★★★★★0
2021 Nissan Leaf226 mi★★★★★4
2021 Mazda 629 MPGNot rated0
2021 Toyota C-HR29 MPG★★★★★1
2021 Nissan Kicks33 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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

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

Owner-reported problems

2Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
Vehicle Speed Control1
Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
21/10: 125/10: 121/1025/10max 1

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2021 MINI Countryman buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Vehicle Speed Control — 1 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
  3. Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 1 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
  4. 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.
  5. Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
  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 Countryman. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Countryman years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Countryman27–Not rated00
2026 Countryman27175.2 inNot rated21
2025 Countryman27175.2 inNot rated619
2024 Countryman28169.7 inNot rated01
2023 Countryman29169.7 inNot rated02
2022 Countryman29169.7 inNot rated02
2020 Countryman29169.7 inNot rated26
2019 Countryman28169.7 inNot rated211
2018 Countryman28169.7 inNot rated111
2017 Countryman28169.7 inNot rated17
2016 Countryman29161.8 inNot rated015
2015 Countryman29161.8 inNot rated013

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