by Aiden Eksteen
Mini has been tapping into many different markets for a while now to stay relevant and to expand its appeal beyond being just a British automaker of fun and chic compact cars. The Mini Cooper Hardtop is perhaps the closest thing one can buy to a traditional Mini these days as the brand branches out into the ever-popular SUV and crossover segments in particular, with the Countryman SUV and the 2021 Mini Cooper Clubman 4-door station wagon. This unique offering presents Mini fans with the same fun driving dynamics and iconic design associated with the brand but adds a commodious interior and more practical cargo-carrying capabilities. With that said, the 2021 Clubman remains a pricey option in the family-car realm and, of course, isn't quite as practical as most non-Mini SUVs, crossovers, and wagons.
Powering the Clubman wagon is a 2.0-liter inline-4 turbocharged engine that musters up to 189 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. This year, Mini aims to please by returning the 6-speed manual gearbox option to the Clubman line, something driving enthusiasts and many journos are sure to respect emphatically.
The second-generation Mini Clubman was updated in 2020, and these updates will be carried through to 2021. For 2021, Mini is adding one minor update and one major update. The Signature Trim will now include the 6.5-inch touchscreen as standard, including the Digital Instrument Cluster, Mini Navigation, Apple CarPlay, Remote Services, and Advanced Real-Time Traffic Information.
The major update is the return of the manual gearbox on certain models. A Getrag 6-speed manual will be available on the Cooper S Clubman with front-wheel drive. It comes as standard on the Cooper S Clubman Classic Trim and is optional on Signature Trim and Iconic Trim.
The Cooper S Clubman's price has also been dropped by $1,000.
See trim levels and configurations:
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price (MSRP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper S |
2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
|
6-Speed Manual
|
Front-Wheel Drive
|
$29,900 |
| Cooper S ALL4 |
2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
|
8-Speed Automatic
|
All-Wheel Drive
|
$32,900 |
NHTSA safety ratings are not available at this time.
Mini was successful in its aim to combine the enjoyable and apt drive dynamics synonymous with its name with family-centric, everyday practicality and reliability. However, with its $29,900 starting price, the 2021 Mini Cooper Clubman station wagon is a difficult vehicle to recommend when there are so many far more livable and practical family vehicles on the US market. Only genuine Mini devotees will really be willing to drop that much money on this car for its admired driving dynamics and iconic retro design. It is equipped with a first-rate powertrain that delivers ample power while remaining respectably efficient, and it does boast a genuinely premium interior outfitted with a good selection of advanced and luxurious features.
However, with its overly firm ride quality, subpar practicality for the class, lack of Android Auto, and absence of an official crashworthiness and safety rating, the 2021 Mini Cooper Clubman, in review, still needs a lot to be considered a good family car or station wagon.
This will certainly come down to just what you want to get out of the 2021 Mini Cooper Clubman, considering that you won't really be able optimise value for money with this brand. If you're looking to max out the Mini's fun factor, then the FWD model with the default manual gearbox is definitely the one to go for. If you want to optimise efficiency, simply swap in the dual-clutch auto. Of course, if you live in a rainy/snowy state, then you'll probably want to go for the ALL4, which is the most expensive and least efficient. In terms of technology and features, we think the mid-spec Signature model offers everything one could expect from a premium vehicle. This includes the 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay integration, a Harman Kardon sound system (in ALL4 only), dual-zone automatic climate control, and an expanded selection of packages and add-ons.
The most popular competitors of 2021 Mini Cooper Clubman:
Acura
Alfa Romeo
Aston Martin
Audi
Bentley
BMW
Bollinger
BrightDrop
Bugatti
Buick
Cadillac
Caterham
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Dodge
Ferrari
Fiat
Fisker
Ford
Genesis
GMC
Gordon Murray Automotive
Hennessey
Honda
Hyundai
Infiniti
Jaguar
Jeep
Karma
Kia
Koenigsegg
Lamborghini
Land Rover
Lexus
Lincoln
Lordstown
Lotus
Lucid Motors
Maserati
Mazda
McLaren
Mercedes-Benz
Mini
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Pagani
Polestar
Porsche
Ram
Rimac
Rivian
Rolls-Royce
Spyker
Subaru
Tesla
Toyota
VinFast
Volkswagen
Volvo