30 Days Of 2013 Ram 1500: Photo Gallery
Our month with the 2013 Ram 1500 is about half over, so it's time to switch gears. The Ram's been... Read More
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There's real head and legroom, and the rear seats can be adjusted back and forth to create more space in the boot as required.
Inside, the Countryman feels significantly less cozy than your standard Mini Cooper coupe—driver and passenger bang elbows less often, and the rear seat is a place where adults can sit for longer than a quick trip out to dinner.
...the Countryman delivers adequate legroom without demanding a sacrifice from the folks in front. Again, the floor height had my knees raised a bit, but it was plenty comfortable regardless.
The elevated seating provides a commanding view of the road and excellent all-around visibility.
We're glad that Mini opted to use a standard liftgate on the Countryman as opposed to the dual barn doors on the Clubman. It's better for loading and visibility, not to mention design cleanliness.
QUALITY | 8 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
There's real head and legroom, and the rear seats can be adjusted back and forth to create more space in the boot as required.
Top Gear
Inside, the Countryman feels significantly less cozy than your standard Mini Cooper coupe—driver and passenger bang elbows less often, and the rear seat is a place where adults can sit for longer than a quick trip out to dinner.
Popular Mechanics
...the Countryman delivers adequate legroom without demanding a sacrifice from the folks in front. Again, the floor height had my knees raised a bit, but it was plenty comfortable regardless.
Los Angeles Times
The elevated seating provides a commanding view of the road and excellent all-around visibility.
Inside Line
We're glad that Mini opted to use a standard liftgate on the Countryman as opposed to the dual barn doors on the Clubman. It's better for loading and visibility, not to mention design cleanliness.
Autoblog
It's a success, as much in back as up front. Those fabulous front seats are adjustable in a couple of ways, and have the kind of perennially pleasing shapes that don't require 18-way power adjustment. The bottom cushion's long enough for almost anyone to get a firm grip, and the center console doesn't shear too much leg room.
The Countryman is the biggest MINI--jumbo shrimp, call on line one--but even knowing that, you'll find the back seat's a stunner. Six-footers will find a couple inches of headroom to spare, even with MINI's large sunroof installed. Knee room isn't quite as lavish, but the Countryman seems more spacious than the much bigger Acura ZDX. The seats also slide on rails for better legroom compromises from front to back, and the rear bucket seats tilt back slightly for a relaxed riding position.
The Countryman puts its squeeze on its cargo hold. The Countryman's 12.2 cubic feet of luggage space will barely swallow a couple of water bottles and a camera bag, once you've loaded in a couple of roll-aboards. MINI says there are 40 cubic feet of space when you fold the rear seats forward--which sounds fine, until you realize the new Jeep Grand Cherokee almost has that cargo volume all the time, behind its second-row bench.
Conclusion
Space is the 2011 MINI Countryman's ally--the back seat is adult-sized, and even the smallish cargo area can hold a few pieces of luggage.
