And they're ALL bigger than a Morris so who cares? If Countryman drivers aren't really motoring then by your logic, neither are you. Yes, it's roomier than a HT or Clubbie, but it's still a small car.

 

All I know is when I saw one at the dealer, it looked huge. Not Chevy Suburban huge, but compared to my MINI....huge.

 

Gti must be too big to be a VW at 165.8 inches , Honda Fit at is too big to be a Honda at 161.6 and the monster Countryman at 161. Who says Mini has to be the size of a Cooper? I think most people would say the GTI and Fit are pretty small by any standards. CRV is 179.3 inches, 2004-10 X3 179.9 and RAV4 181.9. Countryman is tiny by any standards regarding SUV's and that's what were comparing it to right?

 

You're entitled to your opinion, just like myself. There are others out there that agree with me, and others that agree with you. I saw the car, and thought it was losing its claim as a MINI. It was bigger than I imagined. That said, its still smaller than any SUV out there. I wonder how it compares to the original CRV, or RAV4.

 

MINI is just a brand name. Just because something is badged with 'MINI' doesn't mean it has to be tiny. They're just trying to expand the brand to appeal to a larger audience. It's not like they're going to discontinue the Cooper as we know it. A lot of people would like to have a MINI but simply need more room. Or people like me who love our MINI's but are learning the hard way that we can't survive a NE winter without at least one AWD vehicle in the family.

Yes, they've got a couple of models that are bigger than the Cooper. They've also got a couple coming out soon that will be smaller. Can't wait to hear what the complaints about those will be.

 

If they don't drive like a MINI, I'll still say they don't drive like a MINI

I don't hold that against the Countryman, but the difference in handling was enough to make me buy a Clubman S instead of the Countryman All4...The Countryman definitely didn't have the "go-kart" handling that's MINI's hallmark. A great vehicle for it's class, though. Much better interior and features than the other vehicles in that segment (HHR, Caliber, etc.).

 

Ha! Add me to the list. I also test drove a countryman (manual, non-S) this weekend. Said meh and picked up a nice chili red 2011 clubman. Agree the interior is a little quieter on the CtM and ride a little more refined, but it just wasn't the driving experience I was looking for.

I found the CtM a bit underpowered without the turbo -- you really have to keep the revs up.