MINI Countryman practicality and boot space

• Boot bigger than before
• More space for passengers, too
• 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, by 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. On the plus side, you can also see much more of the Countryman's bonnet than you can with many of its rivals.

Storage space for odds and ends is decent, with plenty of cubbies and reasonably sized door bins.

Enlarge0videoEnlarge54photo

Countryman's improved rear seat space

Bigger changes have come in the rear, where there’s easier access than before thanks to wider doors, while the seats can slide back and forth 13cm and the backrests will tilt, too.

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

This means two adults will fit with ease and a long journey won’t cause any aching backs thanks to a very generous amount of legroom. There’s a generous amount of headroom, too, because of that high, squared-off body shape. Understandably in a compact car, adults sitting three abreast in the back will find the experience snug.

Enlarge0videoEnlarge54photo

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

Bigger boot isn't the biggest

Standard capacity is 450 litres for the Countryman, which is 100 litres more than the Mk1 model. This can be increased to 1,390 litres by folding the rear seats flat – that’s a 220-litre total increase over the previous generation model.

That makes it much more 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.

Enlarge0videoEnlarge54photo

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.

Is the Countryman safe?

• Five-star Euro NCAP crash safety rating
• More kit can be added at 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 camera can make life easier, while a head-up display keeps your eyes more focused on the road.

Watch: MINI Countryman Euro NCAP crash test video