It feels like the MINI Clubman’s never gotten a fair shake, doesn’t it? It got made fun of by the guys at Top Gear back in 2014, and when Anne Heche accidentally drove hers into someone’s living room, fans and critics alike relentlessly harangued the spunky outlier of MINI’s fleet.
The Clubman has seemingly struggled to find its niche. It’s too bulky to have the namesake appeal of the classic 2 and 4-door Hardtop. It’s not spacious enough to compete with the Countryman’s versatility. It’s too… roofed, to go against the Convertible.
Still, we believe in MINI’s plucky middle child, and with the coming of the 2023 edition, we wanted to talk about why.
Its Size is a Blessing in Disguise
MINI is renowned for a few key traits: it’s stylish, it’s an absolute blast to drive, and, well… it’s miniature. In fact, for a lot of folks, may be a little too miniature. Classic MINI Coopers endlessly draw comparisons to go-karts, which for many is a huge part of the appeal, but the simple fact is that, well, some of us just need a bigger go-kart. If you’re a big-boned individual, there’s a good chance you’ll never get to experience the joys of zipping around in your very own MINI Cooper.Now, consider the Countryman. The mega-MINI pretty much goes for full-on crossover proportions, and the effect is noticeable. All but the largest of individuals will no longer need the jaws of life just to pry them out from behind the steering wheel. Passenger space and cargo room are noticeably improved, making the MINI Countryman a much better fit for the best family SUV. Still, some critics have noted that the handling is a bit less agile; still loads of fun, but missing just a teensy something, perhaps.
So, we give you the Clubman. The 4-door frame across all editions provides plenty of space for five adults, with room to spare in the back (and those stylish barn-style doors, too.) It’s a full 10 inches longer than the 4-Door Hardtop, but still noticeably more trimmed down than the king-sized Countryman. With the rear seats folded down, it has a total cargo volume of 47.9 cubic feet, and even the base Clubman’s motor is able to put out 189 horsepower for that classic MINI drive. Don’t believe us? Come in and try it out.
A Thrilling Ride
Speaking of power, we haven’t even talked about the MINI Clubman John Cooper Works.So named for the father of the MINI brand, the MINI Clubman JCW is one of several John Cooper Works models which are given a souped-up motor and all-wheel drive for a torquier, sturdier ride. For the 2023 model, the Clubman JCW is fitted with a generously improved number of horsies—301 to be exact, generating 331 lb.-ft. of torque, which carries her from zero to 60 in under 5 seconds.
ALL4 all-wheel drive technology works in a similar fashion to BMW’s famed xDrive. Basically, this means it shifts continuous power to each wheel in real-time, optimizing based on road and driving conditions. This system is part of why the Clubman is able to achieve that classic MINI nimbleness with a larger body. ALL4 AWD is also available as an upgrade for the base MINI Clubman.
Signature Styling
If there’s one thing that every critic can agree on, it’s this: MINI has mastered the art of cool. There aren’t many nameplates out there that possess such an immediately striking and recognizable style both inside and out, and they’ve hidden a few tricks up the Clubman’s sleeve this year.
The interior features an optional 8.8-inch with CarPlay as a standard feature for all you Apple owners. An optional Harmon Kardon sound system, intelligent cruise control, and navigation can be heaped onto the already prodigious pile of base model features. A panoramic moonroof is also available as an upgrade.
Perhaps one of the most exciting facets, though, is purely aesthetic. Numerous color configurations are available for both the paint and the leather upholstery, and a multitone roof is now available for the very first time in 3 different variants. Oh, and something we’re most excited about? The spookily-named 2023 MINI Clubman Untold Edition.
