The MINI Countryman Helps You Steer Clear Of Hazards (and Looks Good Doing It)

Last time we saw the MINI Countryman it was wrapped in rainbow OUT branding venturing cross-country in MINI TAKES THE STATES 2014. But now summer's over and the car is back at school -- getting all A's.

Small cars may look and drive the best, but can slack in a very important category: safety. The MINI Countryman, however, challenged this notion when it aced the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's small front overlap test.

What does this test entail? The IIHS subjects small cars to a simulated glancing frontal impact, in which a corner of the vehicle hits a solid barrier at 40 mph. The crash is meant to test the performance of the car in a real-life accident that is sadly all too common.

The results of the test were dissatisfying for many car brands -- but not for MINI. The Countryman received a "good" (the best mark possible) in six of the seven test ratings, and was chosen by the IIHS to be a top safety pick.

"The MINI Cooper Countryman gave a solid performance," says Joe Nolan, the Institute's senior vice president for vehicle research. "The Countryman's safety cage held up reasonably well. The safety belts and airbags worked together to control the test dummy's movement, and injury measures indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a real-world crash this severe."

Catherine Clark, Account Supervisor at SANDERS\WINGO and recent particpant in MTTS 2014, can attest to the Countryman's excellence.

"I drove the MINI OUT Countryman S on MINI TAKES THE STATES 2014," she says. "We took tight turns and ran straghtaways. The MINI Countryman handled it all. It was a great ride. Solid, responsive, and roomy."

If you're on the hunt for a small car that's both sleek and loaded with safety features, look to the MINI Countryman. You can customize your Countryman to stand out just like the one at MTTS 2014 by choosing from a variety of sharp colors and trim levels. Be daring and unique, just like your MINI.