Is there anything finer than a good road trip? Doing the miles, playing the tunes, seeing the sights, enjoying the roads, immersing yourself in unexpected experiences. Well, actually there is one thing that makes it better – bringing some family or friends along for the ride.
That means you need a vehicle that will comfortably carry everyone, have enough space for all their odds and ends, feature cutting-edge technology to keep everyone comfortable and safe, and be able to do the trip with comparatively few stops.
A tall order. But having spent some time in the MINI Countryman Electric, we think it might be the right car for the job. Here’s why.
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Room to roam
For starters, the new Countryman is by far the largest MINI ever. That’s ideal, because nobody wants to spend a long drive in a cramped car. And there’s no danger of that inside this new Countryman – its sizable dimensions mean that there’s more than ample space for five adults to sit comfortably.
As the What Car? testers noted: “The Mini Countryman makes good use of its boxy dimensions: its high roof gives even tall drivers plenty of head room, plus there's lots of leg and elbow room.”
It’s a similar story in the back, too: “As for the rear, there's enough leg room for a six-footer to stretch out when sitting behind someone of similar height,” What Car? notes. “There’s plenty of foot space under the front seats, and rear head room is generous – even the optional panoramic glass sunroof doesn’t compromise on space.” Also, the reclining rear seats allow passengers to settle back and enjoy the changing scenery.
Finally, the 460-litre boot area means plenty of space for whatever anyone fancies to bring along, be it sports kit, luggage or a picnic.
Get comfortable
It’s not just about the space though, you can really get comfortable in the MINI Countryman Electric – and not just because it has an upmarket interior, but also because it has been designed with recycling in mind.
To that end, the interior of the Countryman Electric features a modern-looking knitted fabric on the dashboard and door trims – it’s a sustainable material that manages to feel both plush and charming at the same time.
Other areas you routinely touch, such as the seats and steering wheel, are trimmed in a material called Vescin, which feels like leather but is actually vegan-friendly. You can even tailor the interior lighting to just the way you want it.
