Actually, Li-Hsiu originally drove a white Toyota Sport — a 2000cc compact Japanese import. It had good performance and was easy to park. The only drawback was that its brand value wasn’t very distinct, and the back seat was quite small.
Every time my mom or younger brother sat in the back, their legs could barely stretch — the space between the front and back seats was less than a fist’s width. At that moment, I often thought, is there a car that balances both style and comfort, one that reflects our taste while making the whole family happy?
So, I asked GPT for help. After comparing three different models, I was surprised to discover that the MINI Countryman actually fit our needs best. Honestly, before that, I had never even considered driving a MINI — it was a brand I barely noticed. But once I did, I never expected that driving it would give me such a genuine feeling of “home.”
The Story of MINI: From Pocket Rocket to British Gentleman
Before talking about this car, let me share with you a brand story rich with history and heritage.
MINI was born in 1959 in the United Kingdom, starting with the Mini Austin — a tiny 600cc car that could fit four adults, run fast, and handle with remarkable agility. This little car even won races like the Monte Carlo Rally and became known as the origin of the “pocket rocket.”
Later, in 1994, Britain’s MINI was acquired by BMW. Instead of treating it as a “small car manufacturer,” BMW reimagined MINI as a premium brand — one that embodies refinement, individuality, and distinctive British design.
The name “Countryman” actually dates back to the classic MINI era. In the 1960s, when MINI introduced its station wagon models, they were called “Traveller” and “Countryman.” At that time, Countryman represented “a traveler stepping out of the city toward the countryside.” Today, BMW revived the name to symbolize MINI’s evolution from compact car to crossover SUV — marking a new era of versatility. The literal meaning of Countryman—“a person of the countryside”—doesn’t imply simplicity, but rather a spirit of freedom: the ability to move seamlessly between city and nature.
When I understood this piece of history, I realized that what I bought wasn’t just a car — it was a continuation of a story that began over sixty years ago.
Destined 4.4 Meters: Perfectly Parked in Front of Home
The Countryman looks big, but its length is actually the same as Li-Hsiu’s old Toyota Sport — both are 4.4 meters. Why does that matter? Because our house doesn’t have a garage; we can only park in a fixed space right in front of the door — and that space happens to be exactly 4.4 meters long.
So, we needed a car that wasn’t too long, yet offered comfortable space — one that balanced elegance with personality. In the end, the MINI Countryman perfectly met every condition, as if it were destined to appear in our lives.
Don’t underestimate this car’s space! The Countryman’s rear seats can slide forward and backward by 13 centimeters, which means when my mom sits in the back, she gains about three extra fist-widths of legroom — the kind of spacious comfort you’d normally find in a BMW or Benz.
This detail turns long trips into a true pleasure — the whole family sitting together comfortably, chatting and enjoying the scenery. That feeling of happiness was the biggest reason I wanted to change cars in the first place.
Subtle Luxury: The Charm of a British Gentleman
What moved me the most about this car is its subtle luxury. MINI isn’t like those flashy luxury brands—it’s more like a British gentleman. When you drive it, it doesn’t scream for attention, yet it always turns heads.
We chose the classic green body (with a hint of teal), paired with a rose-gold roof and mirrors. Then, we added a few carefully chosen stickers to make it a one-of-a-kind MINI in the world. Every time I look at it, it reminds me of Taipei Zoo’s pandas, Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan—adorable, distinctive, and quietly heartwarming.
Details and Sophistication: The Futuristic Tech of Knight Rider
The charm of the MINI goes far beyond its looks — its interior is even more impressive. Although it uses eco-friendly fabric instead of leather, the texture still feels premium. Most notably, it eliminates the traditional dashboard and replaces it with a central OLED circular display as the core of its control system.
The gear lever is gone, the handbrake is gone — every control has been seamlessly integrated into that central circle. This design isn’t just futuristic; it feels like sitting in a cockpit from the future.
I once drove an Audi A8L, and its adaptive cruise control was already impressive. But the MINI Countryman brings an even more immersive sense of technology. It can automatically overtake, self-park, and even record your last 200 meters of driving. So if you accidentally drive into a dead end, it can retrace your path in reverse — effortlessly. Even better, it remembers where you parked — like having a thoughtful co-pilot who always knows exactly where your car is.
This car comes equipped with many similar intelligent features, including semi-autonomous driving. Imagine this: you’re standing at a hotel entrance on a rainy day, and your car is parked far away. All you have to do is open an app on your phone, press a button, and the car will start itself, drive out of the parking space, and come to pick you up. What used to be a movie scene is now real life — except there’s no one in the driver’s seat, and technology quietly does all the work for you.
Of course, when it comes to full self-driving, Tesla still leads the industry. Its latest FSD V14 can drive itself out of a parking lot and navigate autonomously on the road. Yet, MINI’s smart-driving charm lies elsewhere — it blends technology with the pure joy of driving. In Go-Kart Mode—inspired by the spirit of Super Mario Kart—the experience is nothing short of exhilarating.
This car comes in two versions: 1500cc and 2000cc. But don’t underestimate the 1500cc model—when paired with its turbocharger and Go-Kart Mode, its horsepower actually surpasses that of many traditional 2000cc cars. The acceleration and responsiveness reignite that childhood dream of racing all over again.
Residual Value and Philosophy: Understanding Cars, Understanding Life
When it comes to choosing a car, I’m a romantic pragmatist — I love the aesthetics of a vehicle, but I also care deeply about its value logic. To me, residual value is the most practical indicator — how much the car can still be worth after five years.
The MINI Countryman performs remarkably well in this regard, retaining about 60% of its original value after five years — far exceeding most imported and German brands. The reason can be summed up in three words: rarity, heritage, and care. MINI’s market supply is limited, its brand history runs deep, and from the classic Mini Austin to the modern Countryman, it has evolved into a cultural icon. Moreover, most MINI owners take great care of their cars, making them highly desirable in the used-car market — and that’s what keeps their value high.
By comparison, our old Toyota compact retained only 60% of its value after three years, while the rare Toyota 86 sports car still held 60% after eight years. This confirmed my belief: Rarity + Brand Spirit + Maintenance Habits = True Value Retention.
In addition, the Countryman’s 1500cc version enjoys lower taxes yet delivers power comparable to a 2000cc engine — combining performance and economy in perfect balance. For me, a car isn’t just an expense for happiness; it’s an asset that sustains value. I also follow a “five-year replacement” philosophy — to keep things fresh and reduce depreciation. If a car can still retain 60% of its value after five years, the actual yearly cost is impressively reasonable.
The Warmth of Home, Extended on the Road
Every time our family gets in the car, the OLED screen lights up with our family photo. My mom and brother chat happily in the back seat, while I sit quietly in the passenger seat, watching them. In that moment, I realize — this isn’t just a means of transportation.
This MINI Countryman is a car that makes the whole family smile — a moving work of art infused with love.
It has evolved from a means of transportation into a family car, from a brand story into our family’s story. And within our home, the name Countryman has taken on a new meaning: it’s not just “a person from the countryside,” but “someone who knows how to travel, how to pause, and how to smile together.”
Epilogue: Happiness Is Not the Destination — It’s the Journey
If I had to describe this car in one sentence — it’s a car that lets the family sit together and smile.
That’s the magic of the MINI Countryman. Its charm doesn’t lie in horsepower, but in its British elegance. Its value isn’t defined by its features, but by the warmth of home. And our story is the continuation of a legacy — from the Mini Austin of 1959 in England, to our very own MINI Countryman in Taiwan in 2025.