2020 MINI Clubman Road Test and Review

It’s easy to mistake the 2020 MINI Clubman for a small SUV. But it isn’t one. The brand’s SUV is on the other side of the showroom, called the Countryman. But we can’t blame you for confusing the two. They kind of look alike, they’re about the same size, and their names can blend together. They even cost about the same.

But make no mistake: The MINI Clubman is sort of the iconic British brand’s wagon model. It slots between the smaller MINI Hardtop four-door and the slightly larger Countryman in its small lineup, and it's been updated substantially this year. Although Mini is owned by BMW, the Clubman is built in the UK. It’s offered in a few variations, including the new 301-horsepower John Cooper Works, which is a high-performance hot hatch of sorts. And like the Countryman, it competes with the BMW X1, Audi Q3, Mercedes GLA-Class, Lexus UX, and Volvo XC40.

The 2020 MINI Clubman is available in two models: the Cooper S and the new 301-hp high-performance John Cooper Works. Both are powered solely by gasoline. Unlike Mini’s Countryman, the Clubman is not offered as a plug-in hybrid. The Cooper S is available with front-wheel drive or with an all-wheel drive system called ALL4. It costs $2,000 more. There are also three trim levels: Classic, Signature, and Iconic.

Cooper S models are powered by a smooth 189-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and Mini’s excellent new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Mini says the Cooper S ALL4 can accelerate to 60 mph in just 6.6 seconds. Although Mini is also quick to say it still offers a manual transmission in every model and variant, few people buy them. And its new seven-speed is so good, even fewer will in the future. Clubman prices start at just over $31,750, including an $850 destination charge, which is a $2,000 increase over last year.

John Cooper Works is Mini-speak for power and performance. Think of it like BMW’s M Division or AMG at Mercedes. Minis sells about 36,000 vehicles in America annually, and only about 4 percent of them are JCW variants, so they’re pretty exclusive machines. This year, the brand has unleashed new versions of the John Cooper Works Clubman ALL4 as well as the John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4. Both are all-wheel drive and powered by the same 301-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. They’re the most powerful and the fastest Minis ever. The Clubman JWC can hit 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds.

Both were tuned on Germany’s Nurburgring, one of the most challenging racetracks in the world, and both feature special aerodynamics, a specially tuned suspension for improved handling, and larger brakes. Prices start at $40,250, which is $5,500 less than the JCW Countryman.

If you want a small premium four-door that offers the best driving experience around, you want the 2020 MINI Clubman. It definitely lives up to the brand’s reputation for building fun-to-drive vehicles with exceptional dynamics. With its sizable and sticky summer tires, this little wagon handles like a hot hatch, which is impressive considering it weighs over 4,300 lbs. It’s agile and athletic with exceptional balance, and its responsive steering offers plenty of feel and stability. It also rides quite smoothly and its structure feels extremely strong.

With 189 horsepower, the Cooper S Clubman is more than quick enough for most buyers. It’s spunky off the line and offers plenty of passing power on the highway. Mini’s new seven-speed automatic transmission is also a good match for its four-cylinder engine, and it has a manual mode so you can choose your own gears. There’s also an Eco mode to improve the Clubman’s fuel economy and a Sport mode, which stiffens the suspension, adds weight to its steering, increases the engine’s throttle response, and recalibrates the transmission to hold gears longer.

As much as we like to drive the Clubman, its list of high-tech driver aids and active safety systems is disappointingly short. Standard features on the Cooper S included parking sensors, a forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. But its other systems are extra-cost options. Our test car’s $850 Driver Assistance Package added Park Distance Control, active cruise control and parking assistance, and a head-up display. Other now-common technologies like blind-spot monitoring, a rear cross-traffic alert, a lane-departure warning, and others aren’t even offered. It's hard to believe considering our test vehicle’s $40,600 sticker price.

Although Mini has a solid safety reputation, the Clubman hasn’t been crash-tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Mini has proven you don’t have to drive a boring car to get good gas mileage. The Cooper S Clubman is rated at 26 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. Unfortunately, the Mini’s turbocharged engine requires more expensive higher octane premium-grade gasoline.

Another cool thing about Minis is that they come with complimentary scheduled maintenance as part of the deal. The program lasts for the first three years or 36,000 miles and includes oil changes, brake fluid, spark plugs, and other wear items. Since Mini is owned by BMW, it’s similar to the program offered by that brand.

Given that it's unmistakably Mini, we’re also taken by the Clubman’s exterior design. No, it’s not as classic as the brand’s signature Hardtop model and it’s not as sexy as its convertible, but it’s clean and youthful-looking and just a little funky. Like the brand's other models, there’s no reason to think it won’t age well and still look good in 10 years.

This year, Mini has given the Clubman a bit of a facelift, but the changes are subtle. It has redesigned its front end with a new grill, added piano black exterior trim, and new headlights. Its exterior mirrors have also been reshaped to improve its aerodynamics, and its fresh set of LED fog lights and its new taillights get a new Union Jack design. Mini also continues to be about personalization. The Clubman is the only car in its class available with Union Jack mirror caps and racy hood stripes. Go for it, you only live once.

Mini is known for its comfortable, high-quality interiors, but they’re not for everyone. They feature unique design cues and unusual switchgear some love and some don’t. We’re fans. The Clubman shares its interior design with the Countryman, which offers one of the best cabins in the small SUV class. Climb inside the Clubman and you’ll find quality materials, precise fit and finish, and cool details like chrome bezels and toggle switches, which add a bit of retro flair. We also appreciate the Clubman’s thick leather-wrapped steering wheel, well-placed shifter, and clean instrumentation.

There’s plenty of headroom, and the heated leather sport seats in our test vehicle were very comfortable, though some may find their large bolsters to be narrow. The driver’s seat is also height-adjustable and a tilting and telescopic steering wheel is standard. Our test vehicle featured the Iconic trim package, which costs an extra $8,000 and includes a panoramic sunroof, power front seats, heated front seats, keyless entry, a Harman/Kardon audio system, automatic climate control, and other luxuries. The optional Touchscreen Navigation Package adds wireless phone charging and Apple CarPlay compatibility, but Android Auto isn’t offered. Neither is onboard Wi-Fi.

There’s considerably more rear seat space in the Countryman than the Clubman, but the latter is still spacious for its size. There’s plenty of head and legroom, and four adults fit comfortably if they’re under 6'2''. Five fit if the ride is short. Unlike Countryman’s rear seat, however, the Clubman’s does not recline, so it isn’t as comfortable. There’s also plenty of storage inside the Clubman’s cabin, including a cubby ahead of the shifter that's perfect for your phone and wallet. Unfortunately, its two front cupholders are also ahead of the shifter, so tall drinks can interfere with some controls.

Surprisingly, the Clubman matches the Countryman’s cargo space. Both Mini models offer 17.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat. That’s significantly less than you get in a BMW X1, but it’s enough for most chores and soft luggage for four. Every Clubman also gets a split-folding rear seat, which folds flat to expand that space to 47.9 cubic feet. Plus, there’s considerable storage space under the cargo floor. Buyers should also know that the Clubman does not have a traditional liftgate; instead, it has a split rear door configuration. As a result, power operation is not available.

With the growing popularity of small suvs, it isn’t surprising that the Countryman outsells the Clubman. Plus, it has a lower base price. But it’s the Clubman we prefer. It’s just as comfortable, practical, and fuel-efficient as the Countryman, but it’s also a little more contrarian. A bit truer to the brand’s “we’re funkier than you” mission statement. Just look at its unique cargo-van style rear doors. We can’t help but dig its retro station wagon vibe.

The Clubman is also sportier than the Countryman. It weighs less and has a lower center of gravity, so it’s quicker and offers superior handling. If you’re looking for a small wagon or SUV that offers as much personality as practicality, 2020 MINI Cooper S Clubman is a very desirable overall choice.