Used 2020 MINI Clubman

The Mini Clubman has gone through a mid-cycle refresh for 2020. It remains a compact wagon (with swing-out rear doors) that fits neatly between the Hardtop and the Countryman in size, and its low height contributes to excellent agility.

Visual changes to the 2020 Mini Clubman are minor. They’re highlighted by a revised grille and headlights, plus new LED taillights featuring a Union Jack motif.

Beneath the skin, the changes are more substantive. The 3-cylinder base engine from last year has been discontinued, along with the 6-speed manual transmission. The base engine now is a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with 189 horsepower, and it sends power to the Clubman’s front wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. In the all-wheel-drive ALL4 models, the transmission is an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic.

The John Cooper Works (JCW) Clubman has received the most attention for 2020. In 2019, the JCW’s turbo 2.0-liter put out 228 horsepower. This year, thanks to Valvetronic technology from Mini’s parent company BMW, the JCW’s 2.0-liter puts out 301 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque, propelling the Clubman to 60 mph in a fleet 4.6 seconds.

As Mini vehicles tend to be more premium than mainstream, they are priced accordingly. While there are no exact competitors, buyers might consider offerings as diverse as the Chevrolet Trax, the Fiat 500X, the Hyundai Kona, the Jeep Renegade, the BMW X1 and maybe even the new Mercedes-Benz GLB (but not the Volkswagen Golf Alltrack and Golf Sport Wagen, which were discontinued for 2020).

The front-wheel-drive Mini Clubman handles very well. It’s quick to react, it’s precise, it’s eager, and the driving experience is just as good with the all-wheel-drive ALL4 models. The base Cooper S, with 189 horsepower, occupies a sweet spot in terms of power, ride quality, refinement, equipment and cost.

With its 301 horsepower, the 2020 John Cooper Works Clubman hits 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, which should give you an idea of how quick it is (last year’s JCW Clubman needed six seconds to hit 60). Be warned: In Sport mode the JCW Clubman’s suspension is firm, but it’s good for chassis control.

Don’t be misled by the Mini name. The Clubman is fairly roomy. An average adult male will be happy sitting in the back. And thanks to the shape of the roof, headroom is generous. There’s 17.5 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seats, or 47.9 cubic feet when those seats are folded.

A circular design theme is at play inside the Clubman, which has a thick-rim steering wheel and top-quality controls highlighted by some retro-style toggle switches on the center console. The plastics used throughout are soft-touch, and the rotary/touch controller on the Clubman’s center console will look familiar to BMW owners.

Although the grille and headlights have been mildly tweaked for the new model year, the sure-fire way to tell that it’s a new Clubman is to look at the taillights: If they have an integral Union Jack, it’s a 2020 Mini Clubman.

All 2020 Clubmans have a hood scoop, and the Classic and Signature trim levels are equipped with LED headlight and taillights, plus 17-inch alloy wheels (the Iconic wears 18s). The JCW has a red line bisecting its grille, and all Clubmans can be customized in seemingly infinite ways with items such as racing stripes, contrasting colors for the roof and side mirrors, various Union Jacks and a variety of alloy wheels.

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 add some visual theater as well.

DYNAMIC DAMPER CONTROL
This system, standard on the 2020 Mini Clubman, lets the driver choose between a supple everyday ride and a firmer setting for excellent cornering composure.

The 2020 Mini Cooper S Clubman, in Classic trim, comes standard with the 189-horsepower engine, the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, 17-inch alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped 3-spoke steering wheel and synthetic black leather upholstery.

The Signature model improves on that with a panoramic sunroof, a touch screen and heated seats, plus dual-zone climate control, LED headlights and taillights, and automatic emergency braking. Iconic trim adds leather upholstery, a navigation system, Apple CarPlay compatibility and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Every all-wheel-drive 2020 Mini Clubman ALL4 model is equipped with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and the JCW ALL4 in Iconic trim wears 19-inch alloy wheels.

Options abound on the 2020 Mini Clubman. Base models can be ordered with a Harman Kardon sound system, Union Jack mirror caps, XM satellite radio, a roof rack and racing stripes.

The Signature is available with a special black MINI Yours interior leather, or a Chesterfield leather in a variety of colors. It’s also available with touch-screen navigation and a $1,250 Driver Assistance Package that includes active cruise control and a head-up display. A $2,000 Premium Package pairs XM satellite radio with power-folding side mirrors and power-front seats. The Iconic also can be ordered with the Driver Assistance Package and the Premium Package.

If you order an ALL4 Signature, it’s available with a $1,000 Upholstery Package that lets the buyer choose the interior leather. This Clubman also is available with a $1,700 Touchscreen Navigation Package (that includes Apple CarPlay) and a $1,250 Driver Assistance Package (that includes active cruise and a head-up display).

The Navigation, Driver Assistance and Premium Packages are also available on the flagship JCW Mini Clubman models.

The engine in the base Mini Clubman last year was a turbocharged 1.5-liter 3-cylinder, but it has been scrapped for 2020, along with the 6-speed manual transmission. Now, the entry-level Clubman, the Cooper S, is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that produces 189 horsepower and mates exclusively to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The all-wheel-drive Cooper S ALL4 Clubman has the same 2.0-liter engine, but it’s connected to a dual-clutch automatic transmission with eight speeds. This same 8-speed is used in the almighty new John Cooper Works ALL4, which is now powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with 301 horsepower. Last year’s JCW Clubman, you may recall, had only 228 horsepower.

One final point: The JCW ALL4 has considerably more power than the standard Cooper S ALL4, but its fuel economy is nearly as good, only one mpg down in the EPA highway ratings (31 vs 32).

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (Cooper S)
189 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm
207 lb-ft of torque @ 1,350 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 26/34 mpg

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (Cooper S ALL4)
189 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm
207 lb-ft of torque @ 1,350 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/32 mpg

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