Used 2022 MINI Clubman

The 2022 Mini Clubman is a premium subcompact station wagon. Not as premium as a BMW, but definitely a rung or two up from the mainstream. And don’t be put off by the station wagon reference. Think of the Clubman as a Mini, only with more space for humans and hauling. Yet not so big that it loses the whole Mini plot. Those special qualities are still on board.

As well as offering the reassurance and traction of all-wheel drive, the 2022 Clubman comes standard with special dual rear doors that open sideways instead of a roof-hinged tailgate. That may not be important, but it’s a nice little stylistic throwback to Clubmans from the time before BMW owned the marque.

For someone who spends most of their time in the city and/or the suburbs, and maybe sees a dusting of snow in the winter, then the front-drive Cooper S version could do the job. It’s stable, predictable, immediately responsive, and plenty of fun. The typically wonderful Mini handling is based on a front-drive setup, anyway.

It makes sense for the John Cooper Works model to have all-wheel drive, though. Trying to apply more than 300 horsepower through just the front wheels is often a recipe for torque steer, where the nose veers from one side to the other as each tire attains and then loses grip.

This JCW model is the most hardcore Clubman, with its own special sport suspension. Plus the ability to accelerate from standstill to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds.

Working on the premise that the Mini Hardtop 2-Door is the best representation of Mini driving dynamics — darty, tactile, and grippy — then anything bigger than that has those qualities dialed down by a proportionate degree. Luckily for the Clubman and those interested in buying one, there hasn’t been much dialing down.

Yes, the extra length means a little more weight and a fraction less agility through the corners, but it’s still hugely entertaining. Anyone who needs the Clubman’s roomier cabin won’t mind sacrificing that pinch of poise.

In usual Mini style, there’s a huge round central display housing the infotainment screen. Underneath it are aircraft-style switches that have been a Mini staple for years. And drivers hold onto a thick-rimmed steering wheel. Although the standard simulated upholstery is black, the cabin’s overall feel is just as vibrant as the car’s exterior.

Being 10 inches longer than a Hardtop means sufficient rear legroom for an average-sized adult male. The rear seats have a 60/40 split/fold arrangement as standard, but Mini offers a 40/20/40 configuration.

Behind the rear seats is a luggage area of 17.5 cubic feet, bigger than the trunk of a typical midsize sedan. Fold the seats down, and the maximum cargo space measures 47.9 cubic feet.

Nothing else looks like a Mini, and a Mini looks like nothing else. From the nose to the trailing edge of the rear passenger doors, the Clubman shares a lot with the Mini Hardtop 4-Door, although its wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear axles) is four inches longer. The Clubman’s cargo section is also longer and more squared off.

The Clubman has all the attitude of the regular Mini Hardtop models, but with greater practicality, thanks to more of a station wagon approach — as opposed to a hatchback — and those special side-hinged rear doors. Those taillights are also exclusive to the Clubman.

DYNAMIC DAMPER CONTROL
For some tastes, the Clubman’s standard suspension may be a little unforgiving. This dynamic damper function provides a wider range of responses between comfort and sportiness, accessed through the driving modes. Not available in the Classic sub-trim, however.

SCOPE FOR PERSONALIZATION
Stripes, contrasting colors for the roof and side mirror housings, choices of exterior and interior color schemes, different alloy wheel designs and finishes, roof rails… the permutations are so many and varied that no two brand-new Clubmans need be exactly the same.

As the entry-level model, the 2022 Cooper S Clubman in the Classic sub-trim comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, heated washer jets, LED headlights with cornering lights, heated/sport front seats, simulated leather upholstery, and a heated/leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Included with the infotainment system are an 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen, satellite radio, and a 6-speaker audio setup. We’re not crazy about the fact that Apple CarPlay smartphone integration isn’t standard until the priciest Iconic sub-trim. Those without an iPhone will be even less impressed because Android Auto isn’t available at all.

Among the safety features are forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, rain-sensing wipers, and rear parking sensors.

Decisions, decisions: to go for all-wheel drive or head for the top of the range with the John Cooper Works ALL4. Stick with the Cooper S Clubman, and there are more design elements to play within the Signature sub-trim, plus a panoramic moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, ambient cabin lighting, and a 7-speed automatic transmission.

The Iconic sub-trim adds even more design choices, along with real leather upholstery, a self-parking feature for parallel spaces, head-up display, self-dimming rearview mirror, wireless charging, and a Harman Kardon audio system, and Apple CarPlay.

The John Cooper Works ALL4 Clubman is the hot rod of the range with more power, an 8-speed automatic transmission, black-finished 18-inch alloy wheels, JCW sport front seats, self-dimming rearview mirror, and a sport-tuned suspension. It comes in the same sub-trims as its Cooper S stablemates with the same added ingredients. It’s also eligible for an even sportier (firmer) suspension.

Some features in the higher sub-trims are available as options further down. There are also many interior and exterior design elements to make each new Clubman a one-off.

Every version of the 2022 Clubman has a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. In the Cooper S versions, the output is 189 horsepower and 206 lb-ft of torque.

The standard Cooper S transmission is a 6-speed manual; a 7-speed dual-clutch automated transmission is optional. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is the default configuration, with all-wheel drive (AWD, referred to by Mini as ALL4) on the options list, which is also when an 8-speed automatic transmission is deployed.

A more sophisticated engine is in the John Cooper Works ALL 4 variant, using a variable valve lift system. This unit generates 301 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic transmission are standard here.

Premium gasoline is recommended for both engines.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
189 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm
206 lb-ft of torque @ 1,350 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 25/35 mpg (FWD, auto), 23/33 mpg (FWD, manual), 23/32 mpg (AWD, auto)

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (John Cooper Works ALL4)
301 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm
331 lb-ft of torque @ 1,750 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/31 mpg