MINI Clubman 2.0 Cooper D 150hp

What is it?

GOOD question. This new MINI Clubman is a more grown-up MINI, a MINI more fit for business. It’s actually an estate, but don’t let that fool you. It goes alloy wheel to alloy wheel with the likes of the Audi A3, Mercedes A-Class and Volkswagen Golf.

A six-door hatchback then? Well, yes sort of.

So if you’ve always fancied a MINI, but thought it was – well, a bit too mini for your needs – then reconsider. This all-new MINI Clubman claims to be the alternative choice in the premium hatch market. So let’s find out what it’s like.

What’s hot?

• Let’s start with those rakish looks. It’s unmistakably MINI in appearance, but don’t be deceived by the long low roofline: the Clubman at 1441mm is virtually the same height as a Golf, and taller than an A3. So it looks sleek and sporty, but hides its dimensions well.
• Then there’s the driving experience. You can still fang-dang the Clubman around country lanes, delivering exactly the intimate driving feel you expect from a MINI: direct, go-kart like steering; ground-hugging suspension; dollops of mid-range oomph – yup, it’s a blast.
• Part two of the driving experience, though, is the much more grown-up feel on A-roads and motorways. The longer wheelbase (now 2670mm – up from 2548mm) not only adds to interior passenger comfort but smooths the ride, oils out ridges, and provides that more mature feel to the Clubman.
• There’s more doors on this new Clubman now, all in the right place and facing the right way. Gone is the old 2+1+2 suicide door configuration to be replaced with a 2+2+2 configuration.
• The split rear doors are barn-style and open outwards. Usefully, you can just open the right hand side rear door, so you can easily and swiftly place a briefcase, handbag or shopping bag in the rear. Great for business visits.
• Talking of doors, the Clubman we reviewed had the Chili pack (£2785) which includes, along with cloth/leather heated sports seats, MINI’s comfort access system: waggle your foot below the rear bumper and the doors open automatically. Useful when you have your arms full.
• With the doors open, inside you’ll find a boot with a 360 litre capacity – that’s bigger than an A Class (340) but smaller than an A3 (380). But split-fold rear seats (60:40 standard, but with the option of a 40:20:40 split) means the carrying capacity can be enlarged to 1250 litres.

• Talking of interiors, that grown-up ride feature extends to the remodelled interior. Not only is there more space for front and rear passengers – don’t think that because the Clubman is from the MINI brand the interior is cramped, because that’s simply not the case – but the way the centre console continues into the door trim reinforces the premium grown-up feel of the Clubman, as does the quality fit, feel and overall finish
• Standard specification is ideal for business users. Sat-nav comes as part of the £22,100 price with a colour 6.5 inch display screen, while 16-inch alloy wheels, hands-free operation Bluetooth for mobile phones, start/stop with keyless start are among the key features…
• …oh, and this, the brilliant ‘puddle’ light, which projects a MINI logo downwards at night time. It’s a smart, make-you-smile touch
• The four-cylinder Cooper D engine will accelerate from rest to 62mph in 8.6 seconds while providing official fuel economy of 68.9mpg. So there’s a good business balance of excitement and economy
• There’s also CO2 emissions of 109g/km, placing the Clubman D in the 19% company car tax band for 2015/16, or as little as £70 a month in benefit-in-kind company car tax…
• …That’s the same company car tax band as a Golf TDI GT but less in benefit in kind since the MINI has a lower P11D value