Chav, I looked at your thread, and I'm glad that you were able to walk away from the wreck. It looks like it was a rough accident. With that though, many smaller cars (even new ones today) keep the rear seat close to the back of the vehicle. It's just how these type of cars are designed. Unless we all drive tanks, or pickup trucks, we have to make due. The crash ratings are decent with these, and we don't take my son very far due to his limitations. He sees maybe about 5 miles of being in the car at one time as we really only take him out to the park or the golf course because he like the bumps on the golf cart

Beachnmini, thanks for the info about the golf bag. It's kind of a bummer to be honest. Even with a smaller carry bad placed in there diagonally it won't fit? I know my old 2005 Honda Civic Si hatchback would work if I took the driver out and laid it on top.

 

And that might work, I just throw my bag in with one if the back seats down. You could probably make it fit with a bit of inspiration, I just meant it doesn't just fit right in without a bit of work.

 

As has been said, if you want to put the golf clubs in the car you'll need the back seat (or at least one of them) down. With the back seats down though you get a lot of room.

As for the Countryman, definitely not as fun a ride. All things considered the Countryman is still fun, if you get an S. JCW as well of course. If you opt for the All4 you'll get extra weight, though I don't know how it compares to the S without it. Having driven my Dad's S it's still fun, but not as fun as my Clubman. Better be that way too. Can't have the old man blitzing past me.

The Countryman has more room in the back, but not much more. I don't the measurements, but it's more taller and not much deeper at all in the back. However the rear doors will likely make it much easier for you and your family. Countryman is a great looking MINI too (again, I love them all, but the Countryman is one of my favorites). You can get a rear bench seat in a Countryman. Buying used you'll see some, but I've seen more bucket seats in my used searches. I actually prefer the bucket seats from a style and quirkiness standpoint, but the bench is more practical for some. With the bench seat you can put down just the middle which is an armrest of sorts and might help with hauling some things and not having to put the seats themselves down. With the bucket seats you have to take the cupholders out of the back rail (if you've got a split rail) to put the seats down.

In terms of safety, I was thrilled with how my Clubman stood up to being "totalled" this Spring. A bit of initial shock, but was at work just as soon as my ride came to pick me up. Seat belt and airbags did their thing.