Our friends (2 adults + 1 kid + 1 large dog) have a Mini Clubman, so smaller than the Countryman, and are very happy with it! It's their only car.

While I love the regular Minis, I am not a fan of the Countryman - it's too big for a MINI!

We have a Mazda 5 and love it. It's a small minivan that looks and drives like a car. 3 rows and convenient sliding doors, very tight turnaround, good acceleration, good gas mileage, etc. Not as fun as driving a Mini, obviously, but more seating/storage in a small package. Check it out - it might interest you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just got a Mini (not the Countryman) and have 2 kids, 5 and 8. It is actually a pretty good family car, and it's surprisingly solid. I don't know exactly how it fared in crash tests, but at a certain point unless we're all driving around in Hummers, there are going to be some cars that are safer than others.

Anyway, it is as practical as it needs to be. We also have a minivan for hauling people and stuff. but if you're not doing that, I could see a mini working for an urban lifestyle.

Wow.

*snort*

We've got a mini convertible and 2 kids (3 & 5), though also have a small SUV w/ optional 3rd row for more serious family hauling. It has been a GREAT combination for us.

That said, DH has brought up the idea of moving to the countryman and I honestly don't see the big appeal. Aside from the fun-to-drive factor, the single biggest upside to the mini in an urban environment is ease of parking. Can't tell you how many times we took the mini downtown and gleefully squeezed into parking spots too small for regular cars - it made finding parking much, much easier. The countryman seems to be just enough bigger that it loses that advantage, and in direct comparisons with other small sedans I'm not sure it's that much better.

But if you love it and it's a 2nd car in the family I say go for it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just got a Mini (not the Countryman) and have 2 kids, 5 and 8. It is actually a pretty good family car, and it's surprisingly solid. I don't know exactly how it fared in crash tests, but at a certain point unless we're all driving around in Hummers, there are going to be some cars that are safer than others.

Anyway, it is as practical as it needs to be. We also have a minivan for hauling people and stuff. but if you're not doing that, I could see a mini working for an urban lifestyle.

Wow.

Anonymous wrote:We just got a Mini (not the Countryman) and have 2 kids, 5 and 8. It is actually a pretty good family car, and it's surprisingly solid. I don't know exactly how it fared in crash tests, but at a certain point unless we're all driving around in Hummers, there are going to be some cars that are safer than others.

Anyway, it is as practical as it needs to be. We also have a minivan for hauling people and stuff. but if you're not doing that, I could see a mini working for an urban lifestyle.

Wow.

Thanks 10:45! You are giving me hope that this thread may not totally dash my mini dreams.

We just got a Mini (not the Countryman) and have 2 kids, 5 and 8. It is actually a pretty good family car, and it's surprisingly solid. I don't know exactly how it fared in crash tests, but at a certain point unless we're all driving around in Hummers, there are going to be some cars that are safer than others.

Anyway, it is as practical as it needs to be. We also have a minivan for hauling people and stuff. but if you're not doing that, I could see a mini working for an urban lifestyle.

Anonymous wrote:I hear ya, I really do previous posters. Though to be fair the Countryman is more like a small SUV than a true Mini. I'd say it's close kin to a Subaru Impreza in size with a little more zip and higher carriage. It comes fully equipped with seven airbags and had a good size front end, but you are right that the rear is smaller and thus not as safe in a rear end collision, though that is an issue with a lot of smaller hatchbacks out there. And now with the new bench seat in the back you can squeeze three small kids in there.

As for the suitcase comment, which is a good one, would it be totally weird to bring one to the dealership with me?

If they aren't in carseats/boosters, sure. But we have a hard time getting 3 boosters across in a CRV - I can't imagine its any easier in a Countryman.

Don't get me wrong, I'd live one, and with 1 kid it's totally doable. But thinking you'll get 3 kids in the back is just fooling yourself.

I hear ya, I really do previous posters. Though to be fair the Countryman is more like a small SUV than a true Mini. I'd say it's close kin to a Subaru Impreza in size with a little more zip and higher carriage. It comes fully equipped with seven airbags and had a good size front end, but you are right that the rear is smaller and thus not as safe in a rear end collision, though that is an issue with a lot of smaller hatchbacks out there. And now with the new bench seat in the back you can squeeze three small kids in there.

As for the suitcase comment, which is a good one, would it be totally weird to bring one to the dealership with me?

And how will the mini fare in a fender bender with an suv? Or god forbid a real accident?

Consumer Reports lists its reliability as much worse than average. And they said that with the seats up, you can fit only one suitcase in the back. That doesn't sound anything like "family car". Also from the look of the thing you won't be taking any friends on playdates or to soccer practice unless you are planning on having only one child.

I am thinking about getting one. I have two kids 4 and 6. Is it 4WD or AWD?

OP here. Actually pp brings up a good point. We only have one child (3yo), no dogs and most importantly, no Costco membership

Family car? Nice try. Unless you are parents to a toy poodle or a similar teeny dog, I think you need a practical car.

Anyone out there drive a Mini Cooper Countryman 4wd and love it for their urban family lifestyle? Or did you pass it up because it was too small, too trendy and not enough car for the price? All of which are my husband's biggest concerns btw. Personally, I think it is a lot of fun to drive!