It has been so lengthy since I’ve had a Mini take a look at automobile, I wasn’t even doing baggage assessments but. So it’s actually momentous that the Mini model makes its baggage take a look at debut with the most important rattling Mini ever,” the 2025 Mini Countryman. The last-generation Countryman wasn’t really, um, mini, however this one is 5.1 inches longer than that. And due to this fact, it is 13.1 inches longer than the unique Mini Countryman that individuals harped on for being too rattling large.
However it is a baggage take a look at, and being too rattling large has by no means been a problem. The truth is, it may very nicely illuminate why Mini retains embiggening the factor within the first place. Official cargo specs are certainly up massively, from 17.6 to 25 cubic toes with the again seat raised. Given BMW’s sketchy historical past of cargo volumes, nevertheless, I do not know what precisely that is measuring and if these are like-to-like measurements. And once more, I did not take a look at the final technology. As such, any comparisons can be stored to different subcompact luxurious SUVs, however principally the mechanically associated BMW X1 that has a fraction extra cargo house on paper.
Right here is the cargo space. The size alone is sufficient of a cue that this certain is a unique form of Mini. It is also a fairly boxy house, which is all the time good for a baggage take a look at.
Now, there are two elements that can end in a number of assessments right here.
First, it has a inflexible cargo cowl. Which means I will be testing with and with out it in place.
Second, there is a gigantic underfloor cargo house that expands the trunk to an amazing diploma. It is also lined by a floorboard that props itself up so you do not have to go away it exterior of the automotive.
The BMW X1 has principally the identical underfloor house, however within the automobile I examined, it was stuffed with a spare tire. That is a $250 standalone possibility within the Mini.
As such, I may even be testing with and with out this underfloor house to indicate how a lot cargo house you lose by choosing the safety of that spare tire. I additionally strongly suspect that the electrical Mini Countryman will lack this house and the spare tire.
As with each Baggage Take a look at, I exploit two midsize curler suitcases that might have to be checked in on the airport (26 inches lengthy, 16 vast, 11 deep), two black roll-aboard suitcases that simply barely match within the overhead (24L x 15W x 10D), and one smaller inexperienced roll-aboard that matches simply (23L x 15W x 10D). I additionally embrace my spouse’s fancy in a single day bag simply to spruce issues up a bit (21L x 12W x 12D).
Take a look at 1: Cargo Cowl and Excessive Flooring/Spare Tire
This is able to be the 4 largest luggage (the blue one is behind the stacked medium black ones). That is barely worse than the X1 may handle (all however a kind of medium luggage), and one of the best I can inform, it is as a result of the Mini’s cargo space is about 2 inches shorter in size.
I ought to most likely notice that the cargo cowl could not really be secured when the baggage have been stacked like this, however it was nonetheless within the automotive and nonetheless hiding your stuff from prying eyes, so no matter.
Take a look at 2: No Cargo Cowl and Excessive Flooring/Spare Tire
Eradicating the cargo cowl let me stack the inexperienced bag up prime. I do not love this, however the large pop-up head restraints preserve it from flying ahead and there is nonetheless an OK quantity of rear visibility. That may disappear if I put a bag up prime on the proper facet, although it could not be the flamboyant bag. The liftgate would not shut with it there.
For comparability, the X1 may match all the baggage. Once more, it is because its added size allowed for a unique Tetris mixture that allowed all the things to suit and preserve rear visibility.
Take a look at 3: Cargo Cowl and Low Flooring/No Spare Tire
Now we’re speaking. That is all the baggage however the fancy bag. That is glorious for a subcompact SUV.
Take a look at 4: No Cargo Cowl and Low Flooring/No Spare Tire
That is all the baggage, plus an honest quantity of house left over for another kind of bag. You possibly can match one thing on the finish there, or put the massive grey bag on its stomach and put one thing on prime. That is a heckuva lot of house.
Now, this does not come near the segment-best Mercedes GLB. It is also nearly actually inferior to an X1 with out the spare tire. However, I strongly suspect that is about on par with the Volvo XC40 (although simpler to load) and higher than all the things else within the phase. Even with the spare tire, it is a very helpful cargo space … and never particularly mini.
