Mini Countryman Euro NCAP crash test

5 stars. Overall excellent performance in crash protection and well equipped with comprehensive and robust crash avoidance technology

The passenger compartment of the Countryman remained stable in the frontal offset test.  Dummy readings showed good protection of the knees and femurs of both driver and passenger.  MINI demonstrated that a similar level of protection would be provided to occupants of different sizes and to those sat in different positions.  In the full-width frontal impact, the driver was at least adequately protected.  Dummy readings for the rear passenger indicated marginal protection for the chest.  Otherwise, protection was good or adequate.  In both the side barrier test and the more severe side pole impact, all critical body areas were well protected and the Countryman scored maximum points.  Tests on the front seats and head restraints demonstrated good protection against whiplash injury in the event of a rear-end collision.  A geometric assessment of the rear seats indicated good whiplash protection for these seating positions as well. The Countryman has, as standard, an autonomous emergency braking system that operates at the low speeds typical of city driving at which many whiplash injuries are caused.  The system performed adequately in Euro NCAP's tests.

In the frontal offset test, dummy readings indicated good or adequate protection for all critical body areas of both child dummies, apart from the neck of the 10 year old dummy, protection of which was rated as marginal.  In the side barrier test, protection of both dummies was good and the Countryman scored maximum points.  The front passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward facing child restraint to be used in that seating position.  However, the information provided to the driver regarding the status of the airbag did not meet Euro NCAP's requirements and the system was not rewarded.  All of the restraint types for which the Countryman is designed could be properly installed and accommodated in the car except rearward-facing restraints in the front passenger seat which were not rewarded owing to the lack of clear information regarding the status of the airbag.

The Countryman has an 'active' bonnet. Sensors detect when a pedestrian has been struck and actuator lift the bonnet to provide greater clearance to stiff components in the engine bay. MINI showed that the system triggered for a variety of pedestrian statures and over a range of speeds. Accordingly, the car was tested with the bonnet in the raised position and good or adequate results were recorded over almost the entire bonnet area. The bumper scored maximum points, with good protection of pedestrians' legs at all test locations. However, the protection provided to the pelvis region was predominantly poor. A pedestrian-detecting autonomous emergency braking system is available but is not included in this assessment, as it is optional equipment.

A seatbelt reminder is standard for front and rear seats.  The standard-fit autonomous emergency braking system performed adequately in tests of its effectiveness at highway speeds.  A driver-set speed limitation system is also standard equipment.