In our pre-baby days, the mister and I were the proud owners of a Mini Cooper. With its unmistakable styling, great gas mileage, and fun handling and overall drive experience, we each had our own reasons for loving it. Once it came time for a baby, we sadly decided to say goodbye to our Mini. Sure, lots of families make it work with a two-door vehicle, but it sounded like a drag to us.

Fast-forward two years and we're now a family of three. We still have to haul things around with us, but it's nothing like the infant era where you practically bring the entire house along with you. We've also reached two huge milestones: the forward-facing convertible car seat and the umbrella stroller!

It was a case of perfect timing that I got to test-drive a 2012 Mini Cooper S Countryman for a week. The Countryman scratched our Mini itch, but this time it was a nearly perfect family car.

The rest of this MINI review and a few more photos at Kicking Tires...

 

Nice thread! I am hoping it meets my family needs just the same. We got the booster seat and one forward facing..no more strollers...yeah! FINALLY...getting into a MINI! I'm leaving the minivan for the hubby...

 

they let u tested drive the car for a week ???? what if u didnt buy the car ???? do u pay anything ??

 

Just switched to a convertible car seat that is rear facing from an infant carrier and there is more room behind the driver's seat. The Countryman is pretty good as a runabout, but we still need a larger vehicle. We took a trip to Michigan and it was a little tight with a stroller, suitcase and other stuff we needed for our baby. It worked, but there wasn't much room for the stuff we bought and really had to pack the car carefully so everything would fit, but everything did fit. We love our Countryman.

 

That's exactly what drew me to the CM. Though my VW station wagon had more driving gusto than the CR-V it replaced, it's been a long long time since I've had a car that was flat out fun to drive. I had a Turbo Celica that was loads of fun but got totaled back in '94.

The MINI is about as fast as the Toyota was, but has four doors so I can drive my six-year-old son and 80-something mother-in-law around. Surprisingly, the CM's rear leg room is barely an inch less than that of the Passat it's replacing.

With the CM I might not be driving home with a big screen from Costco but my wife has a Toyota Highlander if we need to move much more in the way of people or stuff.

 

We have the All4 and I must say we did not buy it with the intention of it replacing our Honda Pilot. We have two young kids, one in booster seat and the other in a forward facing carseat. Out little ones totally love riding in the Mini and ask to ride in it all the time instead of riding in the Pilot. So this little gem has turned into our preferred family car, mostly on the weekends, since it is my "commuter" car.

 

That's exactly what we did - replace our Honda Pilot with the ALL4 - we don't need to seat 8 any more, and the MINI is a lot more fun to drive.

 

I'm glad to hear this, since I am considering buying a CMS in the spring. My little guy is currently in a rear-facing Britax convertible, and one of my concerns is rear seat room.

I'm 6'3", so I might need to have the driver's seat a little further back than most people. Can you share any other thoughts about your car seat situation?

Thanks!

 

I'm 6'2" and have the driver seat on the next to last spot towards the rear seats, that said, my 5'10" son sits behind me fine. I've ridden back there with my wife driving, piece of cake, but she's much shorter.

 

Adult leg room isn't my concern as much as how a bulky rear-facing baby seat fits.

 

I have a son that is just under 5 months old and I have a rear facing Britax Marathon 70 Cowmouflage car seat behind the passenger seat and there is plenty of room. I had a R56 before and when I went to buy my CMS I took my britax with me to make sure it fit in the backseat and it does.

 

Awesome. That's exactly the model we have. Thanks!

 

No problem...if you want to see a picture I can get one later and then you can see the fit. The only problem I always have is getting him in and out. You MUST watch your head when putting him in and out!!! TRUST ME!!

 

I would love to see a photo, thanks. Fortunately I have plenty of practice loading the little nipper into my wife's Honda Fit.

 

Very nice review/blog Karrock! Although our offspring is now in her early 20s, I can easily see what a great car this would be for someone in your family's situation.

I'll also add that I'm with you on the comfort for the nondriver when it comes to the CM vs the regular, beloved, MINI. I still love driving my MINI Cooper, but I'd much rather be a passenger in the Country Man....and it's a much more comfortable drive for the long haul trip, as well.