I have searched the threads but can't seem to find an answer to whether the back seat is comfortable for full size adults (primarily teens 5'5-5'10") for short distances with room for a gym bag or two in the boot.

I'm 5'7" and set the driver seat at the dealer for me, comfortably and got in the back seat. It seemed fairly roomy but the car wasn't moving and there wasn't a second passenger in the back. I'm trying to rent a MC to try for a day or two and feel like I'll get a true answer that way but thought I'd ask everyone here. We have a larger vehicle but invariably I find myself running on the fly from work picking kids up. It's not realistic to think that its comfortable for trips but I want a MCS soooo bad but don't want to regret my decision when it comes to the reality of everyday life with teenagers and their activities.

Anyone with insight would be appreciated. This forum is great!

 

I've taken three other guys my size (about 5'9") with me to lunch many times. There is ample room for short trips, but probably not for longer drives.

Plenty room in the boot for a few small bags.

The thing that really sets the mini apart from many small cars is the rear seat headroom. it has a lot.

 

I sit in the back often during family outting when the Hubby's drives to give my son the front with his father. I'm 5' 8". I do sit behind the passenagers seat for a little more room. When the Hubby drives he takes that drivers seat all the way back because that's how he's always driven. He's always as far from that steering wheel as possible I say. HE thinks he's the Jolly Green Giant or something, but he's only 5' 10".

I also rode the whole way home from The Dragon in Nov. 2007. That was about 9 hours and I did fine. Our son rode in the back on the way. He's 13 years old and was about 5' 6" then. He did fine. Of course he did have his Xbox 360 and Game Cube for entertainment.

I have learned that when getting out from the back seats it is so much easier to push the butt out first, then the rest. Come out the same way you climbed in I guess is a better way to put it.

 

That was how I felt when I sat in the back- lots of head room and enough leg room that I wasn't feeling cramped but wouldn't want to sit back there on a road trip. The head room is pretty impressive.
Its good to know that 2 adult males can fit back there. Thanks for your reply. Its making me feel better about things!

 

Thanks for the quick feedback! I'm feeling a lot better about this purchase... now if only I could decide on which upholstery I want, I'll be in good shape. My husband does the exact same thing with his seat when he's driving-all the way back! So you brought a tv and 2 game systems in the car too? I could probably drive cross country as long as we had those in the car for our sons!

 

I tend to push my seat back, so there is room in the back seat behind me for someone shorter than say 5'6". My 5'11" son is uncomfortable sitting behind me, and I have to push the seat up a bit to accomodate him, in which position I am barely comfortable. I tend to motor with one passenger, though have fit two young (or at least short) Boy Scouts in the back.

I think this is why MINI developed the Clubman, for more leg room in back.

CROC 411

 

We just took a six hour drive with the Mini packed with camping gear for three days(rear set behind driver down) and my wife's 5'4' sister in the back seat. She was very comfortable and was even able to nap back there.

 

I have had my sister in law in the front and my brother behind her. She is around 5'7", he is about 5'9". He said it was very comfortable in the back seat after a 2 hour drive. I am 6'1" with long legs. Nobody is sitting behind me unless they are legless.

 

Comfortable, no not at all, useable, absolutely. The seat is actually kinda comfortable, but I find it very claustrophobic and you have pretty much no leg room, so overall it really sucks. As everyone else said fine in a pinch, or on short trips, anything more than that and the passenger is in trouble.

 

i'm 5'10", sat back there for a short 30 mile trip.
+1000 on the headroom, multiple bumps and no head strikes.
Legroom, just barely enough for me, no room to cross or move much, but my knees weren't hitting my chest.

 

With my husband and I (both just over 6') test driving a MINI, our MA had to sit lotus-style in the back seat. When we drove the Clubman, he could sit normal. I wouldn't force anybody in the back seat unless it was a short drive. Really, it depends on the height of the people in the front seats.

 

There should be no problem with room in the back. I am exactly 6 foot and I have taken my work colleagues with me to lunch etc and they are both even taller than I am. The headroom is really good and gives a much larger FEEL to the back of the car - however there isn't much leg room of course.

I dont' think I'd take them anywhere if the drive is longer than an hour however.

 

When I bought my MCSa the first thing I did was climb in the back seat because if I wasn't comfortable sitting there then no one would be.My MA asked me what I was doing and I said just trying the back seat out to make sure it is roomy enough for passengers.

Bottom line is I have had several friends sit in the back seat and they all said it was very comfortable,which it is.

Keep in mind that was for short distances any long trips might not be as comfortable.

I do agree that was probably one of the reasons for the Clubman to offer a bit more rear leg room,cargo room and easier access with the club door.

 

I've never ridden in the back seat. It is too hard to drive from back there.

 

I used to have an '07 cabrio and, I don't know if they're different than the coupe, but mine had enough room in the back for 2 double-amputees only. I now have a Clubman and it's virtually expansive compared - room for legs and more! And the ride is smoother but still zippy, still great handling. Plus cargo room!!

 

Those of you saying the back seat is really bad, are you cranking up the front seats off floor level to make room for back seaters feet. This makes a difference. Remember the front seats have a up and down setting.

Oh, and the game systems worked out great for the long ride with our son. The tv part was one of those hook ups that's a flat like screen that attaches to the back of the front seat headrest. It didn't take up that much room. We just had to be careful when leaning the seat forward to get out of the rear area.

We also took a puppy with us on that trip since we had only had her two weeks. I wasn't willing to leave her with anyone. So that added a small crate and some doggy items to our load. We were at The Dragon for six days, so we had the Mini packed to the hilt. Where there's a will there's a way. This coming from a family that takes everything but the kitchen sink on camping trips.

 

I'm a 5'7" woman driving and i found it is impossible for someone to sit behind me. The leg room is just enough to fit in a child. On the other hand, my 2 other friends, one 5'9 and one 5'8 could sit perfectly and comfortably (one next to driver seat and behind it).

 

I'm 6' 2" and i've sat back there for at least half an hour. And yes make sure the seat height is up as high as you can. Also, I've found I can drive in reasonable comfort with the seat remarkably far forward.

I mean my knees hit the dash in a Lincoln Continental or a Suburban with the seat all the way BACK. There'd be plenty of legroom in the back if I moved the seat FORWARD to have as little legroom as that.

 

Thanks Jim. These are the answers that I was hoping for. I wasn't expecting it to be comfortable for long trips although its sounds like several in the forum have done it and it works. I just wanted to make sure that my heart wasn't ruling my head on this decision.

I love, love, love the MCS for me, but want to make sure there is some practicality with regard to having kids and a usable back seat.

I better get moving on some of the youifications so can be motoring while the weather is still nice.

I noticed in your signature that you have leatherette and clear bra. These are two options I'm considering. Do you feel the clear bra is worthwhile and was it dealer installed? Also, I'm torn between the leatherette and saving a few $ or going with the pacific blue leather/cloth. Is the leatherette comfortable in FL heat?

 

I wasn't aware that the seat had an up/down option. That's great news too.

You are my hero! When we go camping we have trouble fitting everything into our Expedition... I don't know how you did it! Packing for a six day trip with 3 plus a puppy in a mini?! I know I can make it work for us now! Thanks for the encouragement and great feedback!

 

With the cabrio headroom is rarely an issue

That being said, we have had 4 adults in the car no problem for lunch runs, and I'm 6' 1" and not exactly svelte.

Two young kids in car seats also not a problem.

 

just last night...some old friends unexpectadly fly in to visit.
i drove them around for a few hours to show them around.
i managed to fit FOUR passengers. 3 of them were about 5'8-5'9
and the other one was 5'5. the 3 people in the back said they
were ok. it was great!

 

You are welcome.
To answer your questions:
Yes the clear bra is so worth it and protected the front end during my trip from South Florida to Minnesota and back including local driving.
I didn't have it dealer installed but I found a place locally where I got it installed for half of what the dealer charges.

The leatherette was already in my MCSa when I bought it so I didn't have a choice but it is durable and very comfortable in the 90+ degree weather.

Now I am not 100% sure but I think the leather/cloth also has standard lumbar support in the driver's seat which would be worth the added cost.

 

Well, obviously you've never been late for your dentist appointment.

 

I love old Mr. Bean. His new sketches just aren't as funny