Used 2019 MINI Clubman

Consider the 2019 Mini Clubman if the 4-door Hardtop (the most mini Mini) is a bit too small. There’s also the crossover-flavored Countryman, but the Clubman fits neatly between these two with a pleasing combination of talents. It’s wider than the Hardtop, resulting in more shoulder room, more cabin space in general and a stable stance on the move. It’s also nearly a foot longer, with most of those extra inches going into the passenger area between the front and rear wheels. That’s great for legroom as well as a more refined ride. Compared with the Countryman, though, the Clubman sits lower, enabling buyers to better enjoy a Mini specialty — responsive and fun-filled handling. Mini vehicles are more premium than mainstream, and their prices reflect that. The number of options, meanwhile, is astronomical.

In its regular form, the Mini Clubman handles better than virtually any other front-drive car that doesn’t come from the same maker. It’s quick to react, precise and eager. The driving experience is still pretty good with the all-wheel drive system. Engine choice is crucial, though. The 134-horsepower base 3-cylinder unit in the Cooper Clubman is a little too leisurely, requiring nine seconds to move from standstill to 60 mph. The Cooper S version sports a gutsier 189 horsepower and we find this an ideal middle ground in terms of power, ride quality, refinement, equipment and cost. The John Cooper Works model hits 60 mph in six seconds, thanks to its thrilling 228 horsepower, but it also has a stiffer suspension and a higher price.

Don’t be misled by the Mini name. The Clubman is actually quite maxi. An adult male of average size will be happy sitting in the back with 34.3 inches of legroom in which to luxuriate. Thanks to the shape of the roof, headroom is also generous. Cargo space, meanwhile, measures a capacious 17.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, 47.9 when folded. The entire cabin comes with quality controls, including those cool aircraft-style switches on the center console, along with soft-touch plastics, and a rotary/touch controller taken from Mini’s parent company, BMW.

A corporate nose adorns the front end of the Mini Clubman, in common with its smaller and larger stablemates. At the back are the aforementioned swing-out double doors that are further distinguished by highly recognizable taillights. The Cooper S version has a hood scoop (air intake), plus a subtle “S” badge in the top right-hand corner of the grille. The John Cooper Works model wears a red stripe across its grille, along with dedicated designs of front and rear fascias. All Clubman models can be customized with contrasting colors for the roof and side mirrors, a choice of alloy wheels, and go-faster stripes on the hood.

POWER REAR DOORS
Whoever came up with power swing-out doors, especially ones that can be activated by waving a foot under the bumper, we salute you. Hands-free trunk lids and power tailgates on SUVs and minivans are undeniably useful, but the Clubman’s automatic rear doors bring some visual theater as well.

INDIVIDUALITY AND COMMUNITY
According to Mini, there are 10 million possible combinations of options. Chances are no two Minis are exactly alike. That’s a lot of scope for self-expression on a platform already renowned for its character. Mini buyers are a special breed. And the company encourages a coming together of like-minded people with regular events like Mini Takes the States.

The base version of the 2019 Mini Clubman comes with a turbocharged 3-cylinder engine, 6-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive. This is the straight-ahead Cooper version. Also included in Classic trim are 16-inch alloy wheels, simulated leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, heated side mirrors, heated washer jets, fog lights, rear parking sensors, ambient cabin lighting, 6.5-inch infotainment display, USB port, Bluetooth, and a 6-speaker audio setup. The Cooper S brings a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, sport front seats, 17-inch alloy wheels, dual exhaust pipes, and selectable driving modes (Eco, Normal, Sport). The John Cooper Works has the most power, 18-inch wheels, sport suspension and all-wheel drive.

Prospective 2019 Clubman buyers need to decide which engine best suits their needs. They will probably want an automatic transmission, where there’s a choice of regular or sportier. Those requiring all-wheel drive but not a JCW version might like to steer clear of the smallest engine. Among the other extras are roof rails, different designs and sizes of alloy wheels, LED headlights, panoramic moonroof, heated front seats, satellite radio, Harman Kardon audio-system upgrade, panoramic moonroof, leather upholstery, and a driver-assistance package that includes a head-up display but no blind-spot monitoring. Apple CarPlay is part of the Touchscreen Navigation package that also has wireless charging.

The basic front-wheel-drive (FWD) Mini Cooper Clubman uses a turbocharged 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine making 134 horsepower. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard; a 6-speed automatic is optional. The Cooper S version has a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that develops 189 horsepower. The automatic option here and with the John Cooper Works (JCW) car is an 8-speed unit. The JCW has the same engine as the Cooper S, but it’s been tuned to generate 228 horsepower. All-wheel drive (AWD), known as ALL4, is optional on Cooper and Cooper S models, standard with the JCW. All engines require premium fuel.

1.5-liter turbocharged inline-3 (Cooper)
134 horsepower @ 4,400 rpm
162 lb-ft of torque @ 1,250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/33 mpg (manual, FWD), 24/32 mpg (automatic, FWD), 22/32 mpg (manual, AWD), 23/31 mpg (automatic, AWD)

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (Cooper S)
189 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm
207 lb-ft of torque @ 1,250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/31 mpg (manual, FWD), 23/32 mpg (automatic, FWD), 21/30 mpg (manual, AWD), 22/31 mpg (automatic, AWD)

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (John Cooper Works ALL4)
228 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,450 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/31 mpg (manual), 23/31 mpg (automatic)