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2011 Mini Countryman front 3/4 view
2011 Mini Countryman rear 3/4 view
2011 Mini Countryman front 3/4 view
2011 Mini Countryman rear 3/4 view
2011 Mini Countryman side view
2011 Mini Countryman front view
2011 Mini Countryman rear view
2011 Mini Countryman front detail
2011 Mini Countryman grille
2011 Mini Countryman headlight
2011 Mini Countryman headlight details
2011 Mini Countryman logo
2011 Mini Countryman logo
2011 Mini Countryman fog light
2011 Mini Countryman wheel
2011 Mini Countryman wheel detail
2011 Mini Countryman side marker
2011 Mini Countryman side marker
2011 Mini Countryman side mirror
2011 Mini Countryman door handle
2011 Mini Countryman roof spoiler
2011 Mini Countryman taillight
2011 Mini Countryman logo
2011 Mini Countryman badge
2011 Mini Countryman badge
2011 Mini Countryman badge
2011 Mini Countryman rear fascia
2011 Mini Countryman exhaust pipe
2011 Mini Countryman engine
2011 Mini Countryman engine
2011 Mini Countryman engine
2011 Mini Countryman engine detail
2011 Mini Countryman engine
2011 Mini Countryman interior
2011 Mini Countryman interior
2011 Mini Countryman front seats
2011 Mini Countryman front seats
2011 Mini Countryman seat trim
2011 Mini Countryman steering wheel
2011 Mini Countryman steering wheel audio controls
2011 Mini Countryman steering wheel cruise controls
2011 Mini Countryman tachometer
2011 Mini Countryman dash vent
2011 Mini Countryman speedometer
2011 Mini Countryman audio system display
2011 Mini Countryman audio system display
2011 Mini Countryman navigation system
2011 Mini Countryman audio system display
2011 Mini Countryman dash
2011 Mini Countryman instrument panel
2011 Mini Countryman window and door lock controls
2011 Mini Countryman shifter
2011 Mini Countryman cup holders
2011 Mini Countryman Connected controller
2011 Mini Countryman iPod input
2011 Mini Countryman floor mat
2011 Mini Countryman sill plate
2011 Mini Countryman door handle
2011 Mini Countryman rear seats
2011 Mini Countryman rear seats
2011 Mini Countryman rear seat divider
2011 Mini Countryman rear cargo area
2011 Mini Countryman rear cargo area
2011 Mini Countryman rear cargo area
Mini is walking away from the rear bucket seats in its Countryman crossover. MotoringFile.com reports that starting in 2013, the CUV will no longer offer just two seats in the second row. Originally, Mini was forced to offer the buckets due to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rules governing the the minimum vehicle width for the allowance of three-wide seating. That rule was recently changed, which allowed Mini to offer the bench seat. Not surprisingly, few buyers have opted for the awkward bucket-and-rail configuration since. Moving forward, all Countryman models will also come with the vehicle’s flat-load rear floor as well.
During our time with our long-term Countryman, we found the middle rail between the two buckets to be a bit gimmicky, especially given the fact that the cup holders were only large enough to accommodate a 12-ounce can.