Honda CR-V vs MINI Countryman

2026 Honda CR-V vs 2026 MINI Countryman — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Honda CR-V

2026 Honda CR-V

Midsize Station WagonsAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS2 – 4MINI Countryman wins 4 of 6 categories
MINI Countryman

2026 MINI Countryman

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

Swap in a different car →

The short version

The Honda CR-V is more fuel-efficient: 40 vs 27 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $900 a year less in fuel for the MINI Countryman (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Honda CR-V is the bigger car, about 9 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the MINI Countryman has had fewer recall campaigns (12 vs 60).

The two cars

The 2026 Honda CR-V is a midsize station wagon offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl and 1.5L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 185 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,635 lb (4dr SUV AWD).

The 2026 MINI Countryman is a small SUV offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive. It measures about 175 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,785 lb (4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2022 CR-V and the 2024 Countryman have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2018 CR-V and the 2016 Countryman.

Basics

Midsize Station Wagons
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Hybrid, eFCV, Regular Gasoline
Fuel
EV, Premium Gasoline
2.0L 4-cyl, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

40 MPG
Best combined MPG
27 MPG
43 city
City / highway MPG (best)
24 city
–
EV range
212 mi
$1,700
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$800

Performance & space

190 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
241 hp
–
Seats (most)
5
184.6 in
Length
175.2 in
73.6 in
Width
72.4 in
66.1 in
Height
65.4 in
3,525 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,785 lb

Safety & reliability

14
Driver-assist features standard
11
2
Recalls (2026)
2
60
Recalls, all years since 2005
12
177
Owner complaints (latest year)
1

Interest

36,497
Wikipedia views, 30 days
9,926

Buying used

Best used year
Year to avoid

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Honda CR-V if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (40 vs 27 MPG)
  • You want more room (9 in longer)
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech

Choose the MINI Countryman if…

  • You want an EV with more range (212 miles)
  • You want more power (up to 241 vs 190 hp)
  • You want something easier to park (9 in shorter)
  • You put reliability history first (12 vs 60 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Honda CR-V

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 40 MPG combined — 56% better than the average 2026 midsize station wagon (25.7 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

2026 MINI Countryman

  • Strong performanceUp to 241 hp, versus about 186 hp for similar 2026 models.
  • Electric version availableOffered as a electric as well as gas.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Full 2026 Honda CR-V specs →Full 2026 MINI Countryman specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →