2020 Mini Cooper Clubman Review: Fun, Practical, Pricey
The Mini Cooper Clubman is an interesting amalgamation of the fun and perky Mini Cooper and the more practical wagon-style hatchbacks that are becoming increasingly popular on city streets. It certainly looks like a Mini, especially from the front, but it's a bit longer to accommodate the larger wheelbase. This gives it a more spacious cabin, but works against it when it comes to driving dynamics. For 2020, Mini has done away with the popular turbocharged three-cylinder engine in favor of the stronger turbo four-pot, which delivers 189 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel-drive is the standard, but Mini's ALL4 four-wheel drivetrain sets the Clubman apart from much of the competition. Still, even the more sensible wagon lacks true practicality. With a pretty high starting price and slightly subpar fuel economy, it may be hard to justify this would-be hot hatch.
What's the Price of the 2020 Mini Cooper Clubman?
With its high-quality interior and exciting handling dynamics, the Cooper Clubman can feel justified (almost) for its premium price tag. The four-door hatchback is available in two models, with the front-wheel-drive Cooper S starting bidding off at $30,900 to get the Classic sub-trim. The Signature sub-trim adds $3,000 to the bill, while the top-of-the-range Iconic sub-trim will set you back $38,900. The Cooper S All4 is available in all the same sub-trims, but with a surcharge of $2,000 for the all-wheel drivetrain. These prices don't include tax, registration, licensing, or Mini's $850 destination charge.
2020 Cooper Clubman Exterior
Dimensions
Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
168.3 in | 105.1 in | 56.7 in | 70.9 in | 61.6 in | 61.5 in | 3,235.0 lbs |
2020 Cooper Clubman Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
Handling is what Minis are all about, and the Clubman certainly doesn't disappoint. However, it doesn't impress as much as some of its siblings, either. There is more than enough power on tap, but the longer wheelbase and the extra weight of the wagon-style design work against the Clubman when it comes to the fun factor. True driving enthusiasts will also bemoan the lack of a manual transmission, but at least both of the two available automatic gearboxes are quite smooth and precise.
Where most hatchbacks or smaller SUVs are well-mannered on the road, the Clubman is cheeky, instead. It's not quite as playful as the standard Mini Cooper, but it will definitely tease the thrillseeker in you. Acceleration is quick, and the steering is responsive while still providing plenty of feedback. However, all this feel comes at the expense of ride comfort. The Clubman's suspension is certainly firmer than the average city hatchback.
Despite its extra weight and longer dimensions, the Mini Cooper Clubman is quite nimble on the road, and it leans eagerly into turns rather than lurching ominously. Mid-corner bumps can upset it quite a bit, though, especially with the larger wheels available. Overall, the Clubman is fun to drive, but is it fun enough to warrant the price tag and sacrifices in practicality? Probably not.
2020 Cooper Clubman Interior
2020 Cooper Clubman Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance | Maintenance |
---|---|---|---|---|
4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 12 Years / Unlimited Miles | 4 Years / Unlimited Miles | 3 Years / 36,000 Miles |
Verdict: Is the 2020 Mini Cooper Clubman A Good car?
The Cooper Clubman certainly has a lot of appeal, starting with unique styling that won't necessarily match everyone's sensibilities. But it's not just good looks that make the Clubman so popular. Few subcompact hatchbacks can boast the same level of driver engagement as the Mini, but it's not quite as fun as its standard Mini Cooper siblings. This is despite coming with a stronger turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The extra weight and longer dimensions mean that the Clubman simply isn't as nimble. But that extra space does make it more comfortable inside the cabin.
There is plenty of head- and legroom for both rows of seats, and even the trunk is quite capacious. But that's only true for a Mini, since similarly sized rivals like the Golf R and Hyundai Veloster both offer significantly more practicality. And the interior is extremely upscale, with excellent build quality and materials used throughout.
However, all this comes at a pretty hefty cost. Most subcompacts pride themselves on being affordable, but the Mini can't boast the same. It tries to combine superior levels of fun with a certain degree of practicality, but fails to do either well enough to warrant the price. If money isn't an issue, then sure, go for it! But if you're looking for a car that both meets your needs, be they fun or function, as well as your wallet, you may want to consider an alternative subcompact.
What Mini Cooper Clubman Model Should I Buy?
No Mini Cooper Clubman is a particularly sensible purchase, so why let sense factor into which sub-trim you go for? That said, you really shouldn't opt for the Cooper S All4 unless you genuinely need the extra traction of the four-wheel drivetrain, such as in areas frequented with road-impacting weather conditions. In terms of the sub-trim, you should probably go for the package that offers the most amount of fun. If you can afford it, the Iconic is the only sub-trim to offer smartphone integration as standard, along with a larger, easier-to-navigate touchscreen. However, it offers no better safety features than the base-level Classic, unless you opt for some of the available add-ons.
2020 Mini Cooper Clubman Comparisons
2020 Mini Cooper Clubman vs Mini Cooper Countryman
While only marginally, the Mini Cooper Countryman is even bigger than the Clubman. While this doesn't improve on the Clubman's cargo capacity, it does add some much-needed room for those in the rear seats. Despite this extra size, the Countryman is almost identical in price to its sibling. Unlike the Clubman, the Countryman hasn't done away with the turbocharged three-cylinder engine, but it also offers the turbo four-pot on its Cooper S Countryman models. In terms of features, the two Minis are basically identical, offering the same three sub-trims. But, where the Clubman looks like an odd, albeit unique, combination of a standard Mini Cooper Hardtop and a more practical wagon-style hatchback, the Countryman has a bolder, more definitive design. Given its similar performance, near-identical price tag, and better practicality, the Mini Cooper Countryman seems to be the more sensible choice, insofar as any Mini is sensible.
2020 Mini Cooper Clubman vs Mini Cooper Hardtop
The truly iconic Mini, the Cooper Hardtop is about as traditional as the range gets. Available in either Cooper or Cooper S form, powered by the three-cylinder or four-cylinder engines, the Hardtop can meet the power output of the larger Clubman. However, its smaller size and lower weight mean that it can do even more with that power. It's certainly quicker and more fun to drive than its oddly shaped sibling, but with an 8.7-cubic-foot trunk, you'll be doing your grocery shopping day by day. The larger four-door model is a little more practical, with 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space. The same trend is true for passenger space, but neither has an easy time fitting adults in the back. At $7,500 less than the Clubman, the Cooper Hardtop will certainly appeal to those with a tight budget who want fun over practicality. But, usually, people who want to spend their money wisely place practicality first. Either way, neither Mini is a particularly sensible purchase, but the Hardtop is a whole lot more fun to drive.