MINI Countryman Rear Bucket vs. Bench Seat! It's going down! [UPDATE]

There seems to have been quite a commotion regarding the upcoming availability of rear bench seat in US among MINI Countryman community. At the moment, you can only order MINI Countryman with individual rear bucket seat for 4 passengers. According to MINI, you will soon be able to order it with rear bench seat allowing 5 passenger configuration, possibly as early as July of this year. Rear bench seat is likely to be no cost option while 4 passenger bucket seat is the standard feature (similar to full or split rail option)


This only means more options for Countryman buyers and certainly is a good thing as people have different needs. Those owners who put their loved pets in the back seat or with children will undoubtedly welcome the bench option. However, we cannot say the same for the chosen one who will be forced to sit in the cramped middle seat (and the other two who are sharing the cramped space) The bench seat will also cost the deletion of cool center rail. While some grunted nix the idea of center rail, I for one think it's very cool and a unique feature of Countryman that sets it apart from other cars. The awesome ambient lighting that it provides alone is very worth it.

and here is what you guys voted

So... for my passengers, they will enjoy traveling in the comfort of their own individual bucket seat and the cool ambient lightly that glows from the cool center rail. =)

 [ Source : MotoringFile / North American Motoring ]