Can a Mini with the footprint of a Volkswagen Golf still be called a Mini? In the case of the Clubman -- which is 11 inches longer, three inches wider, 300 pounds heavier, and $3,000 more expensive than the regular Mini Cooper four-door -- the answer is yes, because it's still blessed with the brand's unique charm.
With more space and practicality than the Mini Cooper, the Clubman aims to appeal to those who want to bring family and friends along for the ride. And with the 2016 redesign, the Clubman has become more conventional. Gone is the two-door wagon look with its odd passenger-side-only rear-hinged door. In its place are two conventional rear side doors that provide easy access to a rear seat that's just roomy enough for adults.
Rest assured, the Clubman still oozes plenty of Mini-ness. For instance, the van-like, side-hinged rear cargo doors -- replete with a tiny wiper on each window -- look super cool. This design feature helps distinguish the Clubman, but it compromises both cargo loading and rear visibility.
Sizing up this wee wagon begs the question: Who needs a Clubman, given the existence of the four-door/five-passenger Mini Cooper? The answer is a combination of legacy, marketing, and incremental gains in functionality. Besides, the Clubman is more than a stretched Cooper; it actually rides on a different platform, one that is shared with the BMW X1 and the next-generation Mini Countryman.
The engine lineup mirrors the rest of Mini's offerings. The base Clubman has a 1.5-liter, turbocharged three-cylinder that's good for 134 horsepower; the S version comes with a 2.0-liter, turbo four-cylinder rated at 189 hp. A six-speed manual transmission comes standard. If you opt for an automatic, the base engine comes with a six-speed, while the S gets an eight-speed. Most Clubmans are sold as front-drivers, but all-wheel drive is optional with the four-cylinder.
Our three-cylinder automatic test car delivers ample motivation in real-world driving, with a healthy hit of midrange torque that belies its rather slow 0-60 mph time of 10.5 seconds. The larger engine in the S packs extra punch and gives a more enthusiastic sound. We measured 28 mpg overall on premium fuel with our test car; that's decent, but not as impressive as you'd expect from a small three-cylinder machine. The VW Golf is much quicker (0-60 mph in 8.7 sec.) yet returns the same fuel economy. Another concern is the Clubman's rough start-stop feature, which shuts off the engine at idle to save fuel; it restarts as needed, but in an unrefined manner.
Despite being the largest Mini, the Clubman hasn't lost the brand's trademark fun factor. Handling isn't quite as sharp as the regular Mini Cooper, but the Clubman still hugs the road nicely, turns into corners with verve, and snakes through the avoidance maneuver at our test track with ease.
As with all Minis, the ride is firm. But the bigger Clubman lessens the number of kidney punches that we've come to expect from its brethren. Although it's smoother, some still might perceive it as too rough for a premium-priced car in the low $30,000 range. The pronounced level of road noise is another deterrent.
With details ranging from cheerful to just plain funky, Mini interiors have a way of engaging the driver. In the cockpit, you'll find chrome-tipped toggle switches and a red start button flipper switch. A large round center screen for the infotainment system has a rim that changes colors like a mood ring, reflecting your actions. The controls take a bit of time and use to fully comprehend, but they ultimately prove logical enough. The climate control system struggles to blow ample cold air on stifling hot days.
The front seats are comfortable and supportive, and the rear seat is hospitable enough for adults, although head, knee, and foot room are still stingy. The optional dual-pane sunroof makes the cabin feel airy.
Odd for a new design, some key advanced safety equipment -- including blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure warning -- are absent from the options list. Forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking is available via the Active Driving Assistant option.
Like other Minis, the Clubman offers a la carte options, allowing seemingly endless personalization. Pricing starts at $24,950, but with typical option packages our tested Clubman rang in at $31,550. That's a lot of money for not a lot of features/luxury items. Less judicious option picking can easily shoot the price above $40,000.
Boil it down to pure practicalities, and some key rivals deliver a better combination of ride and handling prowess, powertrain refinement and performance, interior accommodations, and value. But ultimately, few other cars have the cool-factor, or can make daily life as fun, as this XL-sized Mini Clubman.