Used 2021 MINI Clubman

The 2021 Mini Clubman is the answer to an incredibly specific question. What if someone loved the Mini Cooper Hardtop 4 Door — but wanted more space in the back for rear passengers and luggage, the option of all-wheel drive for dealing with inclement weather, and why not throw some extra functionality in there with some easy-opening rear doors?

The Clubman retains pretty much all the cornering talents of its smaller sibling, but allows grown-ups to sit in the back. This extra space hasn’t detracted from a design approach that has always been a particular Mini talent, inside and out. And the scope for stamping one’s own personality on it in the form of stripes, contrasting colors, and Union Jack flags is abundant.

Available as a Cooper S with front-wheel or all-wheel drive, or a higher-performance John Cooper Works variant with all-wheel drive as standard, these versions are each offered in sub-trims (in ascending order of equipment levels) of Classic, Signature and Iconic.

Being more premium than mainstream, Mini cars can be pricey once the options list is exhausted, but they tend to enjoy robust resale values. The Clubman can be equally sensible and sensational.

Front-wheel-drive versions of the 2021 Clubman handle exceptionally well. Reactions are eager and precise. In this respect, the Clubman is just like the smaller/shorter Mini. The other good news is that all-wheel-drive ALL4 models are just as enjoyable.

With 189 horsepower, the base Cooper S achieves a fine balance of engine power, refinement and ride quality, while still remaining relatively affordable.

The 2021 John Cooper Works Clubman exercises its 301 horsepower to hit 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds. This variant is more for the committed enthusiast. Its chassis is wonderfully controlled and controllable, but really firm in Sport mode.

Think of the 2021 Clubman as a Mini, but about 10 inches longer than a Hardtop 4 Door. This brings sufficient room for an adult male of average size to sit in the back without complaint. The non-sloping roof also enables some decent headroom. The JCW version has the sportiest front seats, with plenty of side support that’s important through quick corners.

Up front has some typical Mini features such as the thick-rimmed steering wheel, a row of toggle switches, and the large round display in the center console. Quality materials are deployed throughout, including soft-touch plastics.

Behind the rear seats is 17.5 cubic feet of luggage space, or a useful 47.9 cubic feet when those seats are folded.

There’s no mistaking the Clubman’s exterior design as any other than a Mini. It merely adds a little more practicality with the wagon-like rear section, those swing-out “barn doors” and Union Jack taillights as standard.

To feed sufficient air into the Clubman’s turbocharged engines, each variant has a hood scoop, while the JCW also has a red line bisecting its grille. The lower two sub-trims run on 17-inch alloy wheels, while top JCW ALL4 Iconic version has 19-inchers.

Every new Clubman can be customized in seemingly infinite ways with things like racing stripes, contrasting colors for the roof and side mirrors, Union Jack motifs, and a choice of alloy wheel designs.

POWERED REAR DOORS
Hands-free trunk lids and powered tailgates on SUVs and minivans are undeniably convenient, but whoever came up with powered swing-out doors — that can be activated by waving a foot under the bumper — deserves a medal.

DYNAMIC DAMPER CONTROL
Standard at the Signature level, this system allows the driver to choose either a supple everyday ride or a firmer setting for excellent cornering composure.

In entry-level Classic trim, the 2021 Mini Cooper S Clubman has the 189-horsepower engine, 6-speed manual transmission (optional in Signature and Iconic versions), 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, rear parking sensors, 6.5-inch touchscreen, 3-spoke/leather-wrapped steering wheel and simulated leather upholstery in black.

Signature trim brings a panoramic sunroof, keyless entry/ignition, heated front seats, navigation with real-time traffic updates, Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, digital driver information display, Harman Kardon audio system, and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Iconic trim adds leather upholstery, 18-inch alloy wheels, self-dimming mirrors, power-adjustable front seats with driver’ s-side memory settings, 40/20/40 split/folding rear seats, and an 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen.

Every 2021 Clubman ALL4 model has an 8-speed automatic transmission and the JCW ALL4 in Iconic trim rolls on 19-inch alloy wheels.

The main hardware choices with the 2021 Clubman are all-wheel-drive in the Cooper S, plus the bigger engine and sportier suspension of the John Cooper Works Clubman ALL4. There is no front-drive JCW Clubman.

Clubmans in Classic trim can come with a Harman Kardon sound system, Union Jack side mirror caps, satellite radio, roof rack, and racing stripes. But we’d be more inclined to look at a Signature version because it’s eligible for even more extras.

Such as the Driver Assistance Package that includes active cruise control, parking assistance, and a head-up display. Or real leather upholstery and some of the Iconic trim’s features.

The front-drive Cooper S Clubman is propelled by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces a respectable 189 horsepower. In Classic trim, it’s linked to a 6-speed manual transmission (sourced from Getrag, a specialist supplier to many companies).

In the two higher trims, this car employs a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). Whenever the ALL4 system is present, the transmission is an 8-speed automatic.

The John Cooper Works ALL4 also has a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, but this one makes a considerable 301 horsepower. Yet its fuel economy ratings are close to the Cooper S ALL4.

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 (estimated): 26/34 mpg (7-speed DCT), N/A (manual)

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 (estimated): 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 (estimated): 23/31 mpg