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MINI is growing up – and in more ways than one. The all-new Clubman is the largest model MINI has ever produced, with this second-generation model signifying the manufacturer’s push into a more premium market where buyers are asking for bigger and better without the compromise.
That neatly sums up the previous Clubman: it wasn’t without its charm, but a cramped cabin, impractical bodystyle and hard ride rather contradicted everything it was designed to achieve.
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At almost 4,300mm long and 1,800mm wide the all-new model is 270mm longer and 73mm wider than the MINI 5-door Hatch, with 100mm added to the wheelbase.
Those are significant gains, which immediately open the Clubman up to a wealth of new family buyers the previous model failed to attract. In fact, while the Clubman may look like a compact estate, proportionally it actually faces more conventional opposition in the shape of the Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3.
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However, while the Clubman may have conformed in terms of size, it has still gone about it in its own unique way. Being a MINI, image is one thing that’s guaranteed. Lashings of chrome, sharp LED headlights and infinite personalisation options will keep the image-conscious satisfied. Even inside, MINI has redesigned the centre console and added plush leather sports seats to give it that upmarket feel the old model lacked.
But changes to give the Clubman more mass market appeal don’t stop there. The old rear-hinged ‘clubdoor’ from the old model – which was more of a hindrance than a help – has been ditched in favour of two conventional rear doors. They make it far easier for passengers to get in and out, especially for UK buyers - who were previously forced to get out into the road rather than onto the pavement.
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Once inside that increase in size is immediately noticeable with far more knee and headroom than before, thanks in part to this car being almost 30cm longer than the old one.
But quirks such as the twin-door boot still remain. The split boot can be opened by hand or if you have the Comfort Access option selected (essentially a handsfree tailgate), with a simple kick under the rear bumper. There you’ll find 360 litres of storage space, which can be expanded to 1,250 litres by folding the rear seats flat – about on par with what’s on offer in a Golf.
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Now, as well as making the Clubman a lot more practical, one of MINI’s other main targets with the new model was to make it more comfortable. In fact, MINI has gone so far as to say this is most refined car it has ever made.
Its based on the new front-wheel drive architecture that’s also shared with the three and five-door hatchbacks as well as the BMW X1. But despite this, the Clubman gets a completely unique and softer suspension setup. It immediately feels more forgiving and compliant over rougher surfaces, which has helped to eradicate the skittish nature of the previous model.
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As improvements go, it’s a big one, but making it the most refined MINI ever wasn’t an all too difficult task, as ride quality has never been one of MINI’s strengths. In the Clubman, though, we’d say it has succeeded.
But has the newfound sense of refinement come at the expense how much fun it is to drive? To an extent, it has. Because it’s bigger and softer, you can feel that initial degree of sharpness has been lost from its responses. The steering still has that MINI crispness to it, but it's lighter and makes the Clubman feel a tad lazier than the smaller hatchbacks. It’s a trait that’s been inherited from the outgoing model, but the more gracious manner in which the new one covers ground sweetens the deal a little.
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Yet, that small issue unlikely to really trouble buyers of this car, and in truth it's only ever noticeable when you really hurl it around. The rest of the time the Clubman still posses that same eager and energetic character MINIs have become so famous for.
The Cooper S we tested has the same 189bhp 2.0-litre turbo as the hatchback, but even in this bigger and softer car it still really shifts. Floor it and it’ll do 0-62mph in just 7.2 seconds and it’ll go onto 142mph flat out.
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The Clubman is also the first model MINI has offered with the option of a new eight-speed automatic gearbox. It’s 10g/km cleaner and returns 4mpg more than our six-speed manual test car (45.6mpg and 144g/km), but it’s also a costly option at £1,700. We think you’d be better informed to put that money towards the £2,785 Chili pack, which half-leather leather upholstery with heated sports seats, MINI’s comfort access system, park distance control, automatic air-con and LED headlights.
The model that will be making up the bulk of sales will be the Cooper D, and it’s easy to see why, as it’s capable of a claimed 69.8mpg and 109g/km. The 0-62mph time of 8.6 seconds isn’t too shabby either.
- Price: £22,755
- Engine: 2.0-litre 4 cyl turbo
- Transmission: Six-speed manual, front wheel drive
- Power: 189bhp
- 0-62mph: 7.2 seconds
- Top speed: 142mph
- Economy/CO2: 45.6mpg/144g/km
- On sale: Now