MINI Hatch & Countryman Sized Up
There they are. The smallest MINI next to the largest. We snagged this image (hot off the UK presses) to once again give you another perspective of the size differences between the R56 and the R60. The previous comparison we showed you gave us a view from the side. This one demonstrates the relative height differences.
But let’s break this down further. The Countryman is 15″ longer than an R56 and 5.5″ longer than a Clubman. But it gets more interesting when we look at how it compares with other MINI and BMW models we may have some familiarity with:
– R56 Hatch: 145.6″
– R55 Clubman: 156″
– R60 Countryman: 161″
– BMW X1: 175″
– BMW X3: 180″
– BMW X5: 191″
Courtesy of Autoexpress
Now let’s look at a few MINI competitors:
– VW Golf (three door hatch) 165″
– VW Golf (five door hatch)
– VW Tiguan: 174″
– Suburu Outback: 188″
Conclusions? For starters the Countryman is easily one of the most “mini” crossovers on the market. The relatively low weight (suspected to be around 3,000 lbs but not confirmed yet) will also make this one of the lighter four door crossovers out there. What does all this mean? It’s clear that MINI was focused on translating the core brand values into this largest MINI vehicle to date. While we’ll refrain from final conclusions until we drive the car, the numbers (and the car) continue to look good.
<p>Talk about tiny. Remember the Suzuki SX4 ad that claimed “Mightier than the MINI”? Believe it or not, they actually measure in at 162.8 inches.</p>
<p>MINI should counter with “The new Countryman..more MINI than the Suzuki!”</p>
<p>Will be interesting to see how the increased height affects handling. Looking forward to reading actual driving reviews. As usual, thanks for the updates.</p>
<p>Seeing the R60 next to the R56 somehow makes it look even smaller.</p>
<p>Everything I see makes me like the Countryman a little bit more. Still looking forward to driving impressions and (can’t wait) the configurator…</p>
<p>I think the increased width will help offset some of the height and keep the Countryman a decent handling car. Will you want to go to the track with it?, No. But that’s not what its built for.</p>
<p>I like the persepctive of the photo next to the hatch. Not bad Still small but more utility. Great job MINI.</p>
<p>The setup of this photo amplifies the size of the Countryman. Is there a comparison photo with the R56 in the foreground?</p>
<p>As mentioned, the side-by-side scale comparison puts the “super-sizing” phenomena in perspective. Is MINI on the road to creating another brand having decidedly non-MINI scale that should appropriately bear the name MAXI? Or is MINI entirely oblivious to tradition and intentionally bastardizing and eschewing the priceless legacy its long-standing and revered identity?</p>
<p>Expanding an existing platform with different body styles is one thing, but “super-sizing” is quite another!</p>
<p>Let’s continue to celebrate the motoring experience and tradition that has carved a very desirable niche market for the brand and succeeded to bring countless smiles to MINI motorers worldwide and proclaim that “less is more” and more fun as well. Exercise restraint to preserve the charm and character of a magnificent marque. Keep MINI mini!</p>
<p>What good is the extra size if you don’t utilize the space?? Last time I checked, cars were for hauling passengers. Cargo is secondary. And attaching cup holders, eyeglass holders, MP3s, etc., to a rail is ludicrous.</p>
<p>Runflats suck, an SUV/SAV without an exterior mounted, full-size spare is useless and not configuring this vehicle to seat 3 in the rear is a miscue that will cost MINI dearly in their quest to appeal to a wider audience.</p>
<p>I would think people here would have been following the Countryman coverage.. so one would realize that the government is the one that does not allow it to be a 5 seater, not MINI. From a practicality standpoint this vehicle is still MINI, it is smaller than a Golf and can comfortably seat 4 people that are over the age of 6 unlike the base MINI.</p>
<p>The tire on the back, is not offered by most SAVs now (nor has been), so this is nothing new.</p>
<p>BMW, AUDI, MB, GM, FORD, Jeep…. the list goes on and on and on, actually the original Cherokee from Jeep did not have a full size spare on the back, nor did the original explorer so saying that a vehicle without it is useless is a little silly.</p>
<p>Runflats are what they are, at least they are not charging extra for them from the factory.</p>
<p>Great post by Michael.</p>
<p>First…to Michael:”Preach Brother,preach!”</p>
<p>Second,I did read what Vinnie stated on the Countryman Diesel not coming to the states. I was let down by the news;but,respected Vinnie for being honest about it. Plus,seeing the above photo keeps the Countryman All4 JCW in the race to be my next MINI(along with the MINI S JCW droptop)…</p>
<p>Great photo!</p>
<p>I’ve been making this size comparison for some time based on the Concept and prelim data, and it’s all still true. This is a very mini-MINI Crossover. It’s not even that tall. And based on how BMW is able to mask an X5’s height and bulk in the turns, I’m sure this will be a well-handling little car. Yes, I called it a car because that’s what it is.</p>
<p>Vehicles with spare tires on the back are for true-offroading, play ridiculous havoc when rear ended as they simply get pushed into the rear structure and detroy not just the bumper but the hatch too. As already stated, this day and age SUVs are really crossovers and very few ever, ever, go off road. If you want iconic off-roading, Jeep sells the Wrangler, now in 4-door 5-seat trim.</p>
<p>Do I wish the USA rear-seat requirements allowed a 3 seat bench? Yes. But I’m certainly not blaming MINI for that. As well as the availability of diesel- it just doesn’t sell well here and BMW/MINI is too small to flood its USA offerings with diesel engines. It’s unfortunate, but we’re stuck with 1970-1980s diesel memory which killed its future here.</p>
<p>Can’t wait for more detailed interior photos and the first drives!</p>
<p>It has been suggested that the Countryman is a somewhat blatant appeal to the masses, but from this size comparison it seems to me no one who buys the Countryman will be of the masses–instead someone who buys into the MINI philosophy, the Countryman being shorter than a 3-door Golf.</p>
<p>And given that MINI has said they are using the Countryman as a basis for other models seems to suggest that MINI will not grow beyond the Countryman in size, which has been another concern.</p>
<p>(disclaimer: the following post is not directed at anyone in particular)</p>
<p>People…I beseech you…At least do your research before you post up a comment with an uninformed opinion.</p>
<p>To the whole “SuperSizing” comment…
Please – give us a break will ya!
If you had taken the time out of your precious day to go and see the Beachcomber Concept in person, then you would have realised the real scale of this new MINI…yes it is bigger than the hatch, deal with it! You don’t have to buy one…in fact…You are not the intended audience this is designed to attract! They already have your attention…stop being GREEDY and let others enjoy this amazing little brand! I’m sick to death of the selfish hatch owners preaching about how MINI is bastardizing the brand. The owners who really made this brand a wonderful thing to be a part of are starting to piss me off with all of their wining! Everyone is entitled to their opinion…I get that…but when you post a garbage response regarding information that is skewed and incorrect it reflects MINI owners as a whole. I am a Gen One owner…I am on my second actually…I was fortunate to have a Clubby for a weekend, and if I was buying another car right now I would be all over it like a FAT kid on a smarty…I don’t feel the hatch MINI is the be-all-end-all for the brand. If that was the case, MINI might as well pack up shop and close down because if you are not growing and evolving, then you are DEAD!
For Christ-sakes, enough with the bloody wining already…
What is going to happen when the Countryman becomes the Bread-and-Butter of the MINI brand??? What are you gonna do then???
Flame off all you want…it’s what you do best isn’t it</p>
<p>Rant Over…</p>
<p>Once again, the size comparison is reassuring. However, I think what will be most helpful is photos of the R60 next to its expected sales competition – Toyota RAV4, Honda CRV, Ford Escape, etc. And not just a length comparison, which the MINI handily wins of course, but width, height, and weight. It does seem to come in smaller than all of its competition and a lot of MINI fans are waiting to see such comparisons along with driving impressions. If anything, this will emphasize that this is a new class of vehicle under the MINI brand rather than a devolution of the classic hatch.</p>
<p>On the other end of the size scale, and suitably inspired by Harry Dill’s well-spoken comment above, I for one would like to see MotoringFile run a comparison of the Fiat 500 base model against the Cooper, and the Abarth essesse against the S and JCW cars. Putting aside driving characteristics (which are critical and I believe will tend to favour MINI) the 500 seems a good bit more “mini” than MINI size and weight-wise… as a result of this coming competition, I do hope BMW either downsizes the next-gen hatch (highly unlikely) or releases a smaller model more in keeping with Issigonis’ original vision (more likely?).</p>
<p>Is the Countryman narrower than the Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, and VW Golf? The argument keeps coming back that U.S. regulations prevent seating for 3 in the Countryman rear seat, but I’m still not convinced that it was impossible. I have a feeling they never planned to accommodate U.S. seating regulations, but they could have achieved it if they had set it as an original goal (and keeping the same outside dimensions).</p>
<p>The lack of 5 seating capacity in the R60 will limit the intended market appeal of the car in the US market. huge miscalculation in MINI’s part and blaming the US government and the DOT is not going to solve the problem!</p>
<p>It is clear that MINI did not engineer the 5 seat requirement into this car at all. I just don’t understand this strange corner cutting sometimes they seem to engage in.</p>
<p>They got away with it in the Clubman, but it is going to be harder to get away with it this time around with the R60.</p>
<p>@Sideways Eh! We will continue to rant and rattle the cage all we want to. We are not going away, I guarantee it!</p>
<p>@C4 I don’t expect you to…as long as there is a valid point to the argument!
Trust me, I will play devil’s advocate for the pure pleasure of wringing out someones true feelings, but I just continue to find that the majority of opinions expressed are due to a lack of research, or a refusal to read any of the information/responses posted to Motoringfile!</p>
<p>Regarding the rear seating, the Clubman is 66.3″ wide. The Fit and Yaris are both 66.7″ wide, and the Golf is a crazy 70.3″.</p>
<p>What I really don’t get, though, is all the hemming and hawing over the back seat. The middle seat in my wife’s CR-V is a painful and humiliating place to be if you’re more than six years old, and it’s 5″ wider than the Clubman. Honestly, if seating three in the back is that big a priority, you shouldn’t really be looking at MINI.</p>
<p>Personally I’d rather have two decent seats back there than three compromised ones. And who knows, maybe somebody will make a barrier accessory for the center rail so you could keep the kids from hitting and otherwise messing with each other…</p>
<p>@Matt and that is the problem we are having now. I just cringe at the idea of sitting back there my 3+ year old toddler and his baby brother without a “referee” in the middle. Things can get pretty ugly back there and this is why we have decided with my wife to:</p>
<p>a) Drive in both MINIs everywhere when the need arises. Kiddo #1 in my car and Baby in hers.</p>
<p>b) Vacations and long drives, we will simply rent a bigger/wider full size sedan. This will be for the rare one or two roadtrips per year.</p>
<p>c) Eventually we will need to upgrade to a more family oriented car, but it won’t be a SUV, CUV or Minivan!</p>
<blockquote>The argument keeps coming back that U.S. regulations prevent seating for 3 in the Countryman rear seat, but I’m still not convinced that it was impossible. I have a feeling they never planned to accommodate U.S. seating regulations, but they could have achieved it if they had set it as an original goal (and keeping the same outside dimensions).</blockquote>
<p>Oh, I’m sure MINI could’ve met the regulations if they’d made doing so a priority. Not sure what the regs are, exactly, but I’d imagine they probably require a full three-point seatbelt instead of just a lap belt.</p>
<p>In a vehicle the size of the Countryman, that would probably entail putting a mounting point up in the ceiling.</p>
<p>From there it was probably a cost-benefit analysis of doing that globally, or leaving the middle-seat-of-marginal-use out of the US model altogether.</p>
<p>In Europe, you can order a new Clubman with the optional 5 seating package, so yes it can be done as ludicrous as it may seem trying to fit a 5th human being in the back seat of a Clubbie.</p>
<p>In the case of the R60 you have a bigger MINI with 4 full doors, but still constrained in terms of space like the other body styles. So aside from the 4 doors and slightly bigger trunk, what is the point of this thing? 5 seating would have made the whole concept a lot more palatable imho.</p>
<p>Austin Maxi was 159 inches long – didn’t make much of a splash in the automotive pond – do a Wiki search</p>
<blockquote>@Matt and that is the problem we are having now.</blockquote>
<p>I hear ya. Got a baby daughter on the way in May, and the Clubman is already stretched with one kid (car seat + jogging stroller effectively eats up all space). Yeah, it could handle two, but forget a jogging stroller, or bringing along one of the dogs or anything. As I tell people, MINIs are great at carrying people or carrying stuff. Just not both at once!</p>
<p>Sadly, I don’t think the Countryman will be quite big enough to give me that extra flexibility I have a feeling I’ll need. I’d love to stay with MINI, but at this point I’m just hoping I can stay with a compact something, even if it means sucking it up and buying a Focus Grand C-MAX when those go on sale here.</p>
<p>I think that is part of the process. Someday you will outgrow your MINI and will either have to move up to a BMW or go elsewhere. That is the inherited limitation of the product and not a fault of it.</p>
<p>Barf. Keep MINI mini! I’m tired of the ‘bigger is better’ mentality out there. Methinks America needs to go on a diet. Gas and otherwise.</p>
<p>Scarlett, I think the Countryman does just what you want. Mini is not trying to dilute the hatch market, they are trying to expand and provide a small, gas economical alternative to the rash of SUVs and CUVs out there. I think it is just what this country needs!! Sure there will be a few who upsize from a hatch, me included, but there is likely to be many who downsize from an Escape, CR-V, or Rav4. A good thing!!</p>
<p>As far as five seating goes, I agree with Matt, if 5 seating is really a requirement for you then a larger vehicle is in order. I like the concept of a bucket seat in the back, that makes sitting for 4 really comfortable.</p>
<p>Just to clarify a comment above, we have been told previously that the R60 is about 72″ wide, making it significantly wider than the MINI’s we are used to driving (about 66″ wide), and 2″ “crazier” than the Mk6 Golf. In other words, as wide or wider than all the CUV competitors and wider than some fairly broad-of-beam sedans like BMW e90. This dimension inevitably will work against the R60 being a nimble cut-and-thrust city vehicle like we are used to seeing from MINI.</p>
<p>I think MINI is trying to encourage people in Europe to have more kids with the 3 seat rear. As we all know pretty all the countries on the continent are severely lacking population growth. But I guess that’s what happens when all the marketing is constantly geared toward an “active lifestyle”</p>
<p>Comparison of what I currently drive….</p>
<p>2005 Scion xB Length 155 in 64 in
2011 Countryman Length 161 in Height 61 in</p>
<p>So 3 inches shorter height and 6 inches longer. I am game. Since this will be released in 2011 will it be a 2011 or 2012 model?</p>
<p>There is no reason to find fault with expanding on a successful concept, or for that matter, re-inventing the wheel by creating a “new and improved” version. After all, as cliches suggest, imitation may be regarded as flattery. The recently introduced HP desktop unmistakably mirrors the Apple iMac with its tower-in-monitor design. Similarly, consider the legions of Nikon-armed, Japanese “spies” that have been gathering “intelligence” for decades by unabashedly snapping away at everything from automobile designs to theme parks, and retail store merchandising displays and floor plans.</p>
<p>An implicit interrogative bears consideration. Do counterfeit Rolex watches, Versace handbags, and non-FAA certified aircraft parts diminish brand integrity, value, and most notably, public safety?</p>
<p>The upshot is simple: “Stay true to your school;” your customer base, and your unadulterated essence. It will pay off in the long run by cultivating brand loyalty and the myriad experiential intangibles that ultimately drive purchasing decisions. By straying away from “the real thing,” Coke learned a costly lesson. MINI take your cue, maintain your line and continue to provide your devotees with the means to negotiate those hairpins , s-turns, and chicanes with aplomb and, most importantly … loads of fun!</p>
<p>Great photo. I really like the Countryman and will probably replace my Cooper with one come 2012. The backseat complaints are baffling to me though. I don’t understand why anyone would want a ‘bench’ seat in the back. Not only are they uncomfortable for anyone sitting there, they are just plain useless overall. Exactly what kind of benefit is there to have one? The individual seating in the rear is one of the main reasons I love it!</p>
<p>I am with C4 on the comments regarding the rear seat. FYI, I am aware of the B.S. that MINI is feeding us about D.O.T. regulations and I ain’t buying it. If other manufacturers can offer seating for 3 in a rear bench, so can MINI!!</p>
<p>The fact that most SUV/SAVs don’t offer an exterior mounted spare tire is precisely why MINI should offer it.</p>
<p>In case you have been living in a cave and riding the stone wheel, runflats ride like shit! Manufacturers who force this upon us should have to discount the car. Dreadful performance, and like getting kicked in the ass every time you run over a pebble in the road. Add to that, the fact that MINI is obviously touting low profile tires as standard equipment for the Countryman, and you have a rough ride ahead.</p>
<p>I can assure you that I am well informed. I am just not so gullible as to believe the cop-out position that MINI has taken.</p>
<blockquote>The upshot is simple: “Stay true to your school;†your customer base, and your unadulterated essence. It will pay off in the long run by cultivating brand loyalty and the myriad experiential intangibles that ultimately drive purchasing decisions. By straying away from “the real thing,†Coke learned a costly lesson. MINI take your cue…</blockquote>
p>@Harry…</p
<p>Your Coke analogy does. not. fit.</p>
<p>If MINI were replacing the Cooper with the Countryman, the Coke/New Coke analogy would be apropos.</p>
<p>But it’s not. It’s creating a new product to expand its lineup and appeal to customers whose needs render the Cooper impractical (passenger/cargo space, AWD, etc). A LOT of people love MINIs, and a lot don’t buy them because they need something more in line with their needs.</p>
<p>The same was true of the Jeep Wrangler. And look what happened when they introduced the 4-door. Sales exploded, and last time I checked the 4-door was making up something like a half to two-thirds of all Wrangler sales.</p>
<p>Or, for kicks, let’s go back to Coke. The Countryman isn’t a replacement product like New Coke, it’s an expansion product like Diet Coke (which is the #2 soft drink in the country) or, if you prefer, Coke Zero (which I believe is in the top five).</p>
<p>Will the Countryman be as cut-and-thrust as a Cooper or Clubman? No. But I’d wager it’ll bring a level of agility and handling to the crossover category that’ll be downright revelatory.</p>
<p>Mini below the beltline.</p>
<p>Toyota ugly above the beltline.</p>
<p>Mini Countryman is one of the smallest/lightest hatchback on U.S. market, not to mention its “crossover” class competitor.</p>
<p>incredible that in the same stream we have too big (supersized) and too small (no seats 5) complaints. incredible</p>
<p>A year ago everyone was crying out that this thing will be too big and the MINI brand will be diluted. Now, we find out that it is indeed still “mini,” and people are complaining that it’s too small.</p>
<p>I will agree that I wish more space was given to back seat passengers. I don’t need more cargo room (a standard MINI hatchback has a lot of room with the seats folded down). I would like to have 3 passengers fully enjoy the MINI experience without being cramped.</p>
<p>Matt</p>
<p>I pretty much want this Countryman but can start seeing safety reports? I’d like to see this get a good rating at least!</p>
<p>Just FYI……….I do not agree with the comments about the lack of a rear 3-seat option in the R60 hurting sales. Just look at the Honda Element as a prime example. I realize that it is world’s apart from a MINI, but, like the R60 US-spec model, it, too, only seats four.</p>
<p>In addition, although the Element has never reached the 75K per year sales figures Honda hoped for initially, with total sales of over 250,000 in 7 years, it has no means been a failure, either. In my honest opinion, I think a 4-seater R60 will do just fine in the US. I am in the market for one, as well, and I am just waiting to see how it’s driving reviews are.</p>
<p>Just my two cents worth………………</p>
p>@Matt</p
<p>While I clearly recognize that many manufacturers have chosen to expand their product lineups to garner more slices of the market pie, I do not think expansion guarantees success, nor is it necessarily viable over the long haul, and that’s leaving out its most damaging property — the erosion of a brands distinction and its potential extinction. Admittedly, not all brands are destructively impacted. As you point out, in the case of Diet and Zero Coke. The “pedestrian” brands like Chevy and Ford will certainly not likely be damaged by introducing new, technology-laden models, but it’s an entirely different ballgame when one considers the premium, niche marques like Porsche and Aston Martin turning out four-door sedans! Although, these decisions are not without precedent. The Maserati Quattroporte is a prime example. MINI, in my opinion, has begun to swim in the same rip currents that could pull the brand irretrievably away from its glowing spot in the sun along the coveted shoreline of niche appeal vehicles. Lest we forget that MINI embodies both utilitarian and sporting characteristics that should be cherished and protected.</p>
<p>It’s not entirely a matter of new MINI models per se that is unsettling and could prove detrimental. It’s the scale differential that makes the Countryman move both an inherently risky design and business proposition.</p>
<p>^ but hasn’t the cayenne been not only very well received, but also a great seller? and the panamera is reviewing like a champ? but low and behold porsche still makes the 911 and cayman. so a niche manufacturer can expand their range and still keep their sports car essence? amazing. truthfully i think this debate needs to go away at least until someone has actually gotten to ride/drive one.</p>
<p>the gorilla tactics of throwing negative comments on any story that has “r60” associated with it is souring the site for me.</p>
<p>gabe, kudos for putting up with this on a daily basis. the banhammer would be much to tempting for me…</p>
<p>does the new car have the rumored interior upgrades that are scheduled for the rest of the line?</p>
<blockquote>but hasn’t the cayenne been not only very well received, but also a great seller? and the panamera is reviewing like a champ? but low and behold porsche still makes the 911 and cayman. so a niche manufacturer can expand their range and still keep their sports car essence?</blockquote>
<p>What’s more, the Cayenne’s success gives Porsche a cushion that that lets them continue to build and evolve some of the best sports cars in the world.</p>
<p>Don’t see why it should be any different for MINI. Build the Countryman. Hell, build a MINI minivan (Miniman?) to compete with the Mazda5/Focus Grand C-Max. Give them those MINI qualities that will make them relative to their categories what the Cooper is to the subcompact/compact category. And then keep pumping out a brilliant Cooper as the purist distillation of the MINI experience.</p>
<p>Personally, I’d rather MINI expand into different segments than compromise the Cooper in an attempt to appeal to a wider swath of buyers.</p>
<p>Good Lord; this train has left the station. Now we can only hold our collective breath, wish the R60 success and look towards the future of the R56.</p>
<p>@ hardingsan</p>
<p>I feel the same way regarding the comments that consistently berate the R60 on this site.
Gabe has the patience of a SAINT!</p>
<p>The proper way to look at the R60 would be to compair it to other CUV’s…Not the MINI Hatch…</p>
<p>Lenght wise it is the smallest in the segment when lighed up against:
Scion XB – 167.3 inches
Rav4 – 181.9 inches
CRV – 179.3 inches
Mitsu Sportback Lancer – 180.4 inches</p>
<p>The onlything that comes close in length is the:
Kia Soul – 161.6 inches</p>
<p>In a sense, the Countryman is actually <em>guaranteeing</em> MINIs flagship Hardtop’s continued small size and low weight. With the relatively small size of the Countryman, there’s little room for the Hardtop to grow before it’s illogically close to the Countryman, even if the Clubby goes away.</p>
<p>So, while some may complain about the idea of the Countryman, you can at least appreciate that it is inherently defending against Hardtop model bloat for the forseeable future.</p>
<p>Read this critique of BMW by Peter de Lorenzo in today’s Autoextremist column:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.autoextremist.com/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.autoextremist.com/</a></p>
<p>He is 100% right.</p>
<p>What would be nice if it came with a towing package.
That would make it much more utilitarian and practical</p>
<blockquote>What would be nice if it came with a towing package. That would make it much more utilitarian and practical
</blockquote>
<p>Read the interview with Vinnie Kung. That is covered.</p>
<p>Hate to say it but all this rates in my book is a, SNORE!</p>
<p>What is the brown car in the photo from Autoexpress? An X1?</p>
<p>Talk about automotive faux pas and foibles … check out the Aston Martin Cygnet. This re-badged,”thriller” Toyota iQ is destined to become a prime contender for a starring role in the next edition of Ripley’s Believe It or Not. If nothing else it should prompt the MINI chieftains to have a serious seance while consulting their Ouija boards before they decide to scale up from wee to whoa again!</p>
<p>This is great… as a family with a MINI (for my wife and I) and a small SUV for cargo and guests I’m looking forward to going in full into the MINI family… it’s going to be fun! (as long as the price is right)</p>
<p>Whats everyone crying about SPACE I am with sideways eh! If you want the car buy the damn thing if you dont want then DONT buy it and keep living. When I bought9Should I say ORDERED) my 02 MCS I was not worried about the who was going to seat in the back I cared LESS and I do so now 8 yrs later so enough of the bickering !!!</p>