2021 Mini Countryman — Carivo review Representative photo — may show another model year
SUV

2021 Mini Countryman

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $32,664–$41,335
Fuel Economy 26 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category SUV
Est. Annual Fuel $2,019/yr
The 2021 Mini Countryman scores 7.1/10 at Carivo, ranking #1814 of 2454 suvs, with 2 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $2,019/year fuel cost.

Key Specifications — 2021 Mini Countryman

Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSUV
Base Price$32,664–$41,335

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2021 Mini Countryman

The 2021 Mini Countryman is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.1/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.7/10. 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 6.7/10 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 7.7/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.

With 7.0/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. 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 $32,664–$41,335, 26 MPG, seating 5, the Mini Countryman sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. At 7.1/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.

Verdict: The 2021 Mini Countryman sits in the middle of the field. Until its 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 2021 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 $32,664 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 9%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $35k →

5-Year Cost Snapshot — 2021 Mini Countryman

Fuel (75,000 miles)~$10,095 ($2,019/year at $3.50/gal)
Recall repairs$0 — 2 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
InsuranceVaries 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 2018 Mini Countryman scores 7.1/10 — within striking distance of the 2021'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.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2026 7.4/10$36,971 Read review →
2025 7.4/10$36,971 Read review →
2024 7.2/10$35,895 Read review →
2023 7.2/10$34,818 Read review →
2022 7.3/10$33,741 Read review →
2021 (this review) 7.1/10$32,664
2020 7.0/10$31,587 Read review →
2019 7.0/10$30,510 Read review →
2018 7.1/10$29,433 Read review →
2017 7.0/10$28,357 Read review →
2016 6.9/10$27,280 Read review →
2015 6.9/10$26,203 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2021 Mini Countryman

✓ What it does well

  • 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 — 2021 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.

Seat belts
21/07/2021 · 21V554000
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…
Electrical system / Propulsion system / Traction battery
30/09/2020 · 20V601000
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…

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

Own a 2021 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 — 2021 Mini Countryman

Is the 2021 Mini Countryman reliable?

We rate the 2021 Mini Countryman's reliability 6.7/10 — 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 2021 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 2021 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 2021 Mini Countryman cost?

The 2021 Mini Countryman starts at $32,664 and ranges up to $41,335 across trims (MSRP when new). At 26 MPG, expect roughly $2,019/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 2021 Mini Countryman have?

The documented issues for the 2021 Mini Countryman are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Seat belts, Electrical system (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

Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

All-weather floor mats → Dash cam → OBD2 scanner → Phone mount →

Get the Monthly Reliability Report

Once a month: which brands moved up or down our reliability rankings, new recalls worth knowing, and the smartest-money model years. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

More Mini Reviews

Explore the full lineup of Mini models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.