Mini Clubman review

The newly-revised Clubman is the largest ever Mini to roll off the production line and offers grown up looks, more space and more comfort than its predecessor.

What is it?

The newly-revised Clubman is the largest ever Mini to roll off the production line and offers grown up looks, more space and more comfort than its predecessor. Far from ‘mini’ in the truest sense, the Clubman is an accomplished all-round performer and makes every day driving more fun than class alternatives such as the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz A Class. While the Clubman may not be as refined as other cars in the family hatchback segment, none can make you grin like the Mini can each and every time you step into the driver’s seat!

What is it like?

The second generation Clubman is much-improved over the old model for a myriad of reasons but mainly thanks to a characterful range of improved engines. Irish buyers can choose from four different specifications; petrol-powered Cooper and Cooper S models, and Cooper D and Cooper SD diesels. We drove the popular ‘Cooper D’ which uses a 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine, and it’s a hoot to drive! It can reach 100km/h from a standstill in 8.6 seconds while still returning some of the best fuel economy figures you’ll find in this class. This coupled with its short throw six-speed gearbox and different sport driving modes make the Clubman wonderfully engaging to drive. While it isn’t quite as nimble as the smaller hatchback Minis, the Clubman is nonetheless perfectly at home on twisty roads with wonderfully responsive steering and optional adaptive suspension.

As the new Clubman is wider and longer than the old model it is noticeably more spacious inside and offers plenty of room to seat five comfortably. The décor inside is just as cool as you’d expect, with a low slung driving position, vibrant centre infotainment displays and classic Mini dash detailing. Our test car featured ambient lighting which changes the colour of the car as you drive along, a nice touch and a real conversation point for passengers! There are a lot of different buttons and controls to get your head around which can take some getting used to, and it can be hard to see out of the split rear doors when parking. The split doors can be easily opened by a button on the key fob, which is handy if your hands are full with shopping bags, and there’s plenty of storage to cope with day to day tasks.

Carzone verdict: 4/5

It can, at times be hard to draw differences between many of the mid-sized hatchbacks on sale at the moment, but one thing’s for sure, the Clubman stands out from the crowd. Everything about the new model is an improvement and its position as an alternative to premium hatchbacks such as the Audi A3 and Volkswagen Golf is stronger than ever before. With a starting price tag of €29,100, the Clubman is right on point, but our test car featured the optional ‘Chili’ pack which adds a serving of upgrades for an additional €4k investment, with other notable additions including eye-catching 18-inch Black Star Spoke wheels. The Clubman isn’t conventional in terms of styling and layout, but if you like that as much as we do, it’s one to consider and sure to remain strong from a residual point of view as cars like this are always in demand..

Test Car Details:

Model driven: Mini Clubman Cooper D

Prices from: €29,100

Price as tested: €40,387

Annual Road Tax: €200

Engine: 1995cc four-cylinder diesel

Transmission: Six Speed Manual

Body style: 5-Door Split-Door Hatchback

Top Speed: 212 km/h

0-100km/h: 10.6 seconds

Boot Space: 360 litres

Fuel Economy: 5.0 litres per 100km

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