MINI Cooper Clubman Review

A bigger Mini may sound like an oxymoron, but the Mini Cooper Clubman succeeds in offering slightly more passenger and cargo room while remaining compact and nimble.

This elongated Cooper is a spiritual revival of the Morris Mini Traveller, a station wagon version of the original Mini produced during the 1960s with double swing-out rear doors. Although the concept version that first appeared at the 2005 Frankfurt Auto Show initially bore its predecessor's namesake, the car was later renamed the Clubman after another Mini model that was made throughout the late '60s and 70s.

The modern-day Clubman is a four-seat, two-door hatchback that's a bump up in size and price from the iconic Mini Cooper. Its body is 10 inches longer and features a third, passenger-side rear-hinged door to allow easier access to the backseat. On the inside, the Clubman has 2.5 inches more rear legroom and 3.5 more cubic feet of cargo space than its more diminutive sibling. While these additions don't exactly make the Clubman roomy, the car might just be the answer for those who crave the classic styling and handling of a Mini along with a little extra breathing room.

Current Mini Cooper Clubman

The Mini Cooper Clubman made its official debut in the 2008 model year. It comes in both base and S versions. The base model uses a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 118 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. The S employs a turbocharged version of the same engine -- power shoots up to 172 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque, yielding a 0-60-mph time of about 7 seconds. Both engines come standard with a six-speed manual transmission; a six-speed automatic with manual shift control is optional. The base model makes an adequate day-to-day commuting vehicle, while the S model's added power makes it better suited for both increased cargo loads and spirited driving. The Clubman is available as a coupe only, and no plans have been announced at this time for a convertible.

The Clubman comes standard with a decent collection of standard convenience features, including antilock disc brakes and stability control. Customization is a cornerstone of the Mini philosophy, and consequently the Clubman offers a broad range of packages and options. Even the various color schemes can be mixed and matched.

The Clubman's interior takes many of its cues from the regular Cooper hatchback. It features the same large center-set speedometer and stylishly arranged climate and audio controls -- this latter trait is ergonomically unfortunate, however, as these controls will befuddle those used to a more traditional dash layout. The multifunction steering wheel option makes using the entertainment features a little more intuitive. Front seating is roomy and comfortable, with enough room even for people taller than 6 feet. The backseat isn't huge, but there's adequate room for two full-size adults -- something that definitely can't be said for the regular Mini. The Clubman's roomiest configuration is with the rear seats down, which opens up 32.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity versus 24.0 in its smaller sibling.

In our initial reviews, we found the Mini Cooper Clubman generally retains the "go-kart" handling of the regular Cooper. The car's steering delivers plenty of feedback, and the handling response is nimble and athletic. The Clubman gives up very little to the regular model in terms of driving enjoyment, though it does suffer from similar dynamic quirks. Some people will find the car's ride quality overly stiff, and the S trim level's increased power causes pronounced torque steer.

Overall, the Mini Cooper Clubman's slightly increased size and interior space don't affect the car's signature look and feel. This is a car that delicately balances fun and practicality -- with the emphasis on fun.