MINI Countryman boot space, practicality and safety

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• Loads of headroom
• Hybrid a little smaller inside
• Quirky interior a MINI hallmark

Up front there’s more headroom than with the Countryman’s predecessor thanks to a higher roofline. The dashboard is the usual MINI fayre, with the infotainment system sitting in the middle of the dashboard aping the style of speedometers on earlier MINIs.

It’s a quirky design that’s attractive to look at, although it’s not the most practical – there’s a nod to function, but style rules the roost in here. Random buttons are dotted about all over the place, but as with most cars, once familiarised with the layout, it’s easy enough to use and the infotainment system is a more fun-looking version of BMW’s slick iDrive system, controlled via a rotary controller between the front seats.

There’s enough space up front with plenty of adjustment in the seats, however the upright windscreen might take a little getting used to compared with more regular SUVs such as the Audi Q2. 

Two adults will fit with ease in the rear and a long journey won’t cause any aching backs thanks to a very generous amount of legroom. Understandably in a compact car, adults sitting three abreast in the back will find the experience snug.

Boot space and storage

Storage space for odds and ends is decent inside the cabin, with plenty of cubbies and reasonably sized door bins. The rear seats slide back and forth 13cm to increase boot capacity when required, too.

The back rests split and fold 40:20:40 as well, so you can configure it how you like depending on whether you prioritise legroom over boot space and vice versa.

Standard capacity is 450 litres for the Countryman, which can be increased to 1,390 litres by folding the rear seats flat – though it’s a little less in the hybrid.

• Will my family fit? We test the passenger space of our long-term MINI Countryman

That makes it competitive with its crossover rivals, but it can’t quite match up to the likes of the SEAT Ateca with its 510-litre loadspace.

Extra storage packs can be added, such as one that adds a variable-height boot floor and fixings to lash down items in the boot, while access is easy on higher-spec models with an optional electric tailgate that can be opened by waving your foot under the rear bumper.

You can even have a picnic bench fold out of the boot floor and perch on the rear of your Countryman for those days at the races – or if you need somewhere to sit and change into your wellies for a muddy dog walk.

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Is it easy to park?

Thanks to the upright design, you see much more of the Countryman’s bonnet than you can with many of its rivals, which makes it easier to park. Visibility in general is very good in all directions.

Rear parking sensors are standard across the range, but a rear-view camera is only fitted to the JCW model – otherwise it’s an expensive upgrade as part of the Comfort Plus Pack.

Safety?

• Five-star Euro NCAP safety rating
• Active cruise control extra cost
• Makes for safe family transport

That the MINI Countryman performed well in Euro NCAP crash tests, achieving a five-star rating, is no great surprise. Based on BMW underpinnings and sharing much of the German brand’s safety technology, it would have been frankly disappointing if it scored anything less.

The standard collision warning with city brake function can be extended to include a Driving Assistant package which uses camera-based adaptive cruise control, and also comes with high-beam assist and traffic sign recognition.

In addition, useful features like parking sensors and reversing cameras can make life easier, while a head-up display keeps your eyes more focused on the road. Six airbags and rear Isofix mountings are standard across the range.

Watch: MINI Countryman Euro NCAP crash test video