Extended test: Mini Clubman 2021 review

Everybody (and the dog) in the club

SsangYong Rexton specifications

Model Mini Clubman F54 Cooper S Sport
Price £26,790 OTR
Price as tested (with options) £31,575
Colour Midnight Black
Cost options fitted Midnight Black paint (£795); 19” John Cooper Works Course Spoke alloys (£500); Sport Automatic DTC Transmission (£1,800)
Engine 1,998cc, 4-cylinder, petrol
Transmission 7-speed automatic with dual-clutch
Power output 192bhp @ 1,250rpm
Torque 280 lb ft at 1,350-4,600rpm
Weight (DIN/EU) 1,280kg / 1,305kg
Luggage capacity 360 / 1,250 litres (seats up / rear-seats folded)
Top speed 142mph
0-62mph 7.3sec
Fuel consumption (WLTP combined cycle) 44.1mpg
CO2 emissions (WLTP) 145g/km
VED (road tax) £230 for first year; £165 thereafter
BIK tax payable (2020/21) 33%; £1,828 (20%) or £3,657 (40%)
Insurance group 27E

Test details

Test period February to July 2022
Starting mileage 739 miles

Updates

April 4, 2022 First impressions of the Mini Clubman

April 4, 2022: First impressions of the Mini Clubman

Compact, sleek, sporty, upmarket and retro. It might sound like a roll call for a Spice Girls spin-off but these are the adjectives that best describe the Clubman Cooper S Sport, on first impressions, at least.

After my previous review took me into large SUV territory, I was pleased to have a less gargantuan vehicle on test. The Clubman had piqued my interest over recent months, as it picked up The Sunday Times Dog Friendly Car of the Year prize, in part thanks to the car maker’s collaboration with the Dogs Trust. With many UK families now having to factor a post-lockdown pooch into their car-buying criteria, I’m keen to find out if the Clubman barks louder than rivals when it comes to dog-carrying.

Some surprises helped my early evaluations get off to a positive start. Mini has been super-generous with the model supplied, namely a very sporty Cooper S that has flashy John Cooper Works upgrades, such as the steering wheel, seats and wheels (full details to come in future instalments).

It’s taken a while to get acclimatised to the low ride compared with the SUV I had last year, but the go-kart vibe is welcome, as is the punchy acceleration: 0-62mph is achieved in 7.3 seconds.

The interior is snug and comfortable, and while it can accommodate five passengers, it’s clear that anyone with longer legs won’t want to be seated in the tight back row on a long drive.

Mini has a very loyal customer base and has come a long way under BMW ownership in recent times to broaden what is still a relatively small range, layering in new derivatives and spec options on what is essentially the same iconic shape, famous round headlamps and interior design cues.

Probably the most distinctive feature of the Clubman is its six-door set up, with the split barn door rear opening. I’ve seen these frequently on display on the road and in local car parks and they certainly are an intriguing point of difference, so it’ll be interesting to see if they’re a gimmick or a clever design feature.

I can see the advantages as it negates any height restrictions when loading the boot, but you need to be careful with any potential obstacles on either side and it’s taking time to adjust to the door frames obscuring the rearward view — a point I’ll return to in future updates.

The Clubman doesn’t seem to have a lot of rivals, as it’s pitched as Mini’s estate car but there aren’t too many estates this small: an Audi A3 Sportback or Skoda Fabia Estate are ones that jump to mind. But with this engine and JCW sports upgrades, it’s verging on hot hatch territory, too.

With this in mind, the Dogs Trust partnership starts to make sense, as it’s a clever hook to persuade people to take a chance on its quirky design. I’m all too well aware that winning our favourite pets’ hearts and minds is a strong way to win their owners’ car budgets.

Next time, I’ll be getting forensic on the Clubman’s dog friendliness, with subsequent review instalments looking at its drivability, tech features, options and specs.

I do a solid mix of motorway, urban and rural journeys, so it will be a good test to see if the Clubman can be the ultimate alternative all-rounder family car. My brood’s busy weekly schedule and some exciting road trips should see to that.

Mileage this month 742 miles
Mileage to date 742 miles
Average Economy 38.1

As ever with our extended tests, you can ask questions at any time via Tina’s Twitter account or the comments below.

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Enjoying Tina’s Mini Clubman extended review? Check out what she had to say about the SsangYong Rexton
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