Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
About the 2018 Mini Countryman
The 2018 Mini Countryman is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.1/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.8/10. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 6.8/10 for reliability, this suv trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 7.8/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.9/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. At 7.2/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $29,433–$36,481, 23 MPG, seating 5, the Mini Countryman sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. The value score of 6.9/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 8 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: The 2018 Mini Countryman sits in the middle of the field. Until its value and performance and reliability scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
How It Ranks Among SUVs
The 2018 Mini Countryman ranks #1814 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 26% of the segment. Its 7.1/10 overall score is 0.3 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $29,433 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 18%.
$0 — 2 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
Insurance
Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
Which Countryman Year Should You Buy?
Smart-money pick: the 2015 Mini Countryman scores 6.9/10 — within striking distance of the 2018's 7.1 — and starts roughly $3,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well
✗ Where it falls short
Reliability scores are mid-pack; some owners report higher-than-expected maintenance needs
Driving dynamics are adequate but uninspiring; not the choice for enthusiast drivers
Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra
NHTSA Recalls — 2018 Mini Countryman (2 on record)
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2017-2019 MINI Cooper Countryman vehicles. These vehicles may be missing a crash protection plate near the high pressure fuel pump, which may result in a fuel leak in the event of a crash.
Trailer hitches 17/09/2017 · 17E051000
Curt Manufacturing LLC (Curt) is recalling certain Class 1 trailer hitches, part number 11451, sold for installation on 2016-2018 Mini Cooper Clubman and Countryman vehicles. The vehicles may have inadequate structure points for the trailer hitch…
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Own a 2018 Mini Countryman that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →
Common Questions — 2018 Mini Countryman
Is the 2018 Mini Countryman reliable?
We rate the 2018 Mini Countryman's reliability 6.8/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
How many recalls does the 2018 Mini Countryman have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is the 2018 Mini Countryman worth buying?
It scores 7.1/10 overall, ranking #1814 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 26% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
How much does the 2018 Mini Countryman cost?
The 2018 Mini Countryman starts at $29,433 and ranges up to $36,481 across trims (MSRP when new). At 23 MPG, expect roughly $2,283/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Which Countryman years should you avoid?
Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest Countryman years we've rated are 2016 (6.9/10), 2015 (6.9/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (7.4/10). See the full year table above before deciding.
What problems does the 2018 Mini Countryman have?
The documented issues for the 2018 Mini Countryman are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Fuel system, gasoline, Trailer hitches (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.
Owner Essentials — Mini Countryman
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