Mini Clubman review
The MINI Clubman is a stylish and practical small estate car that offers the iconic MINI fun in a more spacious and family-friendly package.
Author: The Cazoo editorial team
7th Jan 2026 – 8 mins read
Everyone loves the classic MINI hatch, but what if you need a bit more space for life’s adventures (or just the weekly shop)? That’s where the MINI Clubman comes in. It takes all the charm, fun, and premium feel of the regular MINI and stretches it into a more practical small estate car. With its distinctive split rear doors, it’s a car that’s full of character and stands out from the crowd. The latest version, launched in 2015, is more grown-up than ever. It has four proper passenger doors, making it much easier to live with than the quirky original. It also boasts a beautifully crafted interior, a range of punchy and efficient engines, and that trademark go-kart handling that makes every drive feel like an event. It’s the perfect choice if you love the idea of a MINI but need it to fit your life, not the other way around.
Pros
- More practical and spacious than the standard MINI Hatch
- Classy and stylish design, both inside and out
- Fun to drive with great handling, just like a MINI should be
Cons
- It comes with a premium price tag
- Safety scores aren't as high as some key rivals
- Optional extras can quickly make it very expensive
Interior
Dashboard & tech
Step inside the Clubman and you’re greeted by that classic MINI interior, which is a fantastic blend of retro style and modern tech. The big circular display in the centre of the dashboard is the star of the show, housing the infotainment system. The quality is a real highlight; it feels more like a premium product from its parent company, BMW, than ever before.
You’ll find plenty of high-quality materials, satisfying toggle switches, and cool ambient lighting that you can customise to suit your mood. It’s a cabin that feels special and puts a smile on your face. Satellite navigation and a full infotainment screen are standard on most models, making it easy to find your way and stay connected.
Comfort
The Clubman is a comfortable car for a small family. The front seats are supportive, and there’s plenty of adjustment to help you find the perfect driving position. The wide windscreen gives you a great view of the road ahead, making it feel open and airy.
The ride is a bit on the firm side, especially on sporty Cooper S and JCW models with larger wheels. It’s not uncomfortable, but you will feel bumps in the road more than you would in a more comfort-focused car like a Volkswagen Golf. However, this is the trade-off for that sharp, fun handling.
Quality
The build quality inside the Clubman is excellent. Everything feels solid and well put together, with a premium finish that justifies its price tag. From the feel of the steering wheel to the click of the switches, it’s clear that this is a high-quality product. This sense of quality and robustness is a big part of the MINI ownership experience and helps it stand out from more mainstream rivals.
Practicality & boot space
Interior space
This is the Clubman’s main selling point over the smaller MINI Hatch. The latest generation has four proper doors, which makes getting in and out of the back seats much easier. There’s a decent amount of legroom in the back, so adults can get comfortable on shorter journeys, and children will have plenty of space. It’s a genuine small family car.
Boot space
Behind those cool, van-style split rear doors, you’ll find a 360-litre boot. That’s a big improvement over the standard MINI Hatch and is large enough for a big weekly shop or luggage for a weekend away. The boot floor sits flush with the lip, which makes sliding heavy items in and out much easier. If you need more space, the rear seats fold down to open up a generous 1,250 litres.
Versatility
The Clubman successfully adds a much-needed dose of practicality to the MINI formula. It’s a car that can handle the school run and family holidays, while still being compact enough to be fun and easy to park. The availability of MINI’s ALL4 all-wheel-drive system on some models also adds extra grip and confidence in slippery conditions, making it a great all-weather choice.
Driving
Driving experience
It might be bigger and more practical, but the Clubman still drives like a proper MINI. The steering is quick and responsive, and it feels incredibly agile and fun on a winding road. This is what MINI calls its ‘go-kart feel’, and it’s something that sets it apart from almost all its rivals.
It’s a car that’s designed to be enjoyed, whether you’re nipping around town or heading out on the open road. The trade-off is a firm ride, but if you value an engaging driving experience, you’ll find it’s a price worth paying.
Performance
There’s a great range of engines to choose from, all of which offer a good blend of performance and economy. The range starts with the ‘One’ model, which has a 1.5-litre petrol engine that’s perfectly adequate for town driving.
The most popular choice is the Cooper, which uses a more powerful version of this 1.5-litre turbocharged engine. It’s brilliant, offering punchy performance that feels nippy and fun. The Cooper S gets a 2.0-litre petrol engine for proper hot-hatch performance, while the top-of-the-range John Cooper Works (JCW) is even faster. There are also efficient diesel models, badged Cooper D, which are great for high-mileage drivers.
Running costs
Fuel economy & CO2 emissions
Running costs for the Clubman are generally quite reasonable. The modern petrol and diesel engines are efficient, helping to keep fuel bills down. The diesel models are the most economical, with the Cooper D capable of returning over 68mpg in official tests. Even the popular petrol Cooper models can achieve over 55mpg.
Value for money
MINIs have always been premium cars, and the Clubman is no exception. It has a higher price tag than many rivals, and the long list of optional extras can push the price up further. However, it feels like a high-quality product, and it holds its value extremely well. This is great news when it comes to selling it on, as it will have lost less of its value compared to more mainstream rivals.
Reliability & Warranty
As part of the BMW Group, MINIs are generally well-built and have a decent reputation for reliability. Some older models had issues with power steering pumps, but these have been largely ironed out on newer cars. From new, all MINIs come with a three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty. It’s always important to check for a full service history when buying any used car.
Safety
Safety features
When the latest Clubman was crash-tested by the safety experts at Euro NCAP, it was awarded a four-star rating. While many of its key rivals, like the VW Golf and Audi A3, achieved the full five stars, the Clubman is still a safe car. It comes with plenty of airbags and stability control as standard. More advanced features like autonomous emergency braking were available, but often as part of optional packs, so it’s worth checking the specification of any used model you’re considering.
Trims & Engines
Trim levels
MINI offers a range of trim levels, which also correspond to the engine choice. The range starts with One, which is the most basic model. The most popular trim is the Cooper, which offers a great balance of performance and equipment. All models can be customised with a huge range of colours, roof designs, and option packs. Over the years, MINI has simplified this into style packs called Classic, Sport, and Exclusive.
- Classic: The standard specification, including the infotainment screen.
- Sport: Adds a sporty John Cooper Works body kit, sports seats, and larger alloy wheels.
- Exclusive: Focuses on luxury, with upgraded leather upholstery and more chrome trim.
Engines
The engine range is tied to the trim level:
- One: A 1.5-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 102bhp.
- Cooper: A more powerful 1.5-litre, three-cylinder petrol with 136bhp. This is the sweet spot in the range.
- Cooper S: A sporty 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine with 190bhp.
- John Cooper Works (JCW): The high-performance model, with a tuned 2.0-litre petrol engine producing over 228bhp (and more on the latest versions).
- Cooper D: An efficient 2.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine with 150bhp.
Most engines are available with a choice of a manual or a smooth automatic gearbox. You can also find some models with MINI’s ALL4 all-wheel-drive system.