Despite the best efforts of car enthusiasts to keep sports wagons alive, they are a dying breed. The Mini Clubman is the latest to meet its end, a small wagon with funky side-hinged split rear doors, a cheeky personality, and impressive available performance. After the 2024 model year, the Clubman vanishes from Mini showrooms.
As it motors to the end of its road, the Clubman is available in special edition models called the Untold Edition and the Final Edition. The Untold Edition is the subject of this review. It debuted in 2023 and is available in Sage Green or Midnight Black monotone paint. In addition, the Untold Edition includes exclusive 18-inch wheels with Shimmering Copper surfacing, an aerodynamic body kit, and upgraded interior trim and detailing.
Offered only for the 2024 model year, less than 100 examples of the Final Edition will be available in the U.S. market out of 1,969 made for Mini’s global customers. The production number commemorates the first year of Clubman production, and in addition to exclusive detailing similar to the Untold Edition, it includes commemorative badges.
The 2023 Mini Clubman comes only in Cooper S and John Cooper Works specification. In addition to the Untold Edition, changes include a manual gearbox for the Cooper S with front-wheel drive, a new multi-tone roof paint option, revisions to the contents of the Driver Assistance Package, and moving the spacesaver spare tire to the options list. In 2024, the base Classic trim package returns to the Clubman lineup.
Mini models are confusing, and that’s true of the Clubman, so let’s sort things out.
The Clubman Cooper S is the sporty model, equipped with a 189-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). With FWD, you can get a manual or automatic transmission. With AWD (ALL4 in Mini-speak), the automatic is standard.
The Clubman John Cooper Works is the performance model, featuring a 301 hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine, ALL4, and an automatic transmission. Mini says it accelerates to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, 2.3 seconds faster than the Clubman Cooper S.
Once you’ve chosen a powertrain, you choose between Classic (2024 only), Signature (standard in 2023), and Iconic trim packages. With Iconic trim, you can upgrade to the Untold Edition or Final Edition (2024 only).
See? Easy peasy.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
The Mini Clubman competes in the Compact Sporty Car market segment. According to data collected from verified new-vehicle buyers for the JD Power 2023 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, owners rated Compact Sporty Cars in 10 primary categories.
Listed below in descending order, you’ll find their preferences, from their most favorite thing about the vehicle to their least favorite:
In the 2023 APEAL Study, the Mini Clubman, Convertible, and Hardtop models (collectively called Mini Cooper by JD Power) rank highest out of four Compact Sporty Car models.
In the following sections, our independent expert analyzes a Mini Clubman Cooper S ALL4 equipped with the Iconic trim and Untold Edition packages. The test vehicle’s price was $44,400, including the $850 destination charge.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
If you think a Mini Clubman’s styling is expressive, wait until you open the driver’s door and get inside. Like every Mini, retro design rules despite modern technology like a pod-shaped digital instrumentation panel and a rectangular touchscreen infotainment system. In my Untold Edition, the mix of gloss black and metallic trim, chrome and copper accents, tartan plaid tray inserts, and bold interior forms created a busy-looking cabin.
In addition, the control layout appears haphazard, but primary functions are easy to locate and use, and the center console infotainment controls become second nature with time. I appreciated the stereo volume knob, radio tuning buttons, and oversized knobs for the climate control system, all of which make interacting with the Clubman easier. The engine start/stop toggle is delightfully unique, too.
Heated, power-adjustable front sport seats are standard, and while the Clubman is a snug fit, it’s comfortable. Several upholstery choices, including the test vehicle’s smooth and supple premium leather, are available. A dual-panel panoramic sunroof ensures the Clubman feels open and airy, even with black upholstery.
Mini wraps the perfectly shaped steering wheel in leather, and the seat bolsters hold you in place while tackling a twisty road. A separate sun visor for the driver’s side window is helpful, and this car has a remarkable amount of practical storage space. Unfortunately, the floor mats are magnets for pet hair.
Adults fit into the Clubman’s back seat without a problem, though entry and exit are somewhat challenging. Again, the fit is snug, but softly padded front seatbacks and generous foot space improve comfort. Rear passengers also benefit from rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. Storage space is decent in the back too.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
The Mini Clubman has an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment nestled within a large, circular housing on the center of the car’s dashboard. It includes:
With the Iconic trim package, the Clubman’s infotainment system adds:
BMW Group owns Mini, so the Clubman’s infotainment system is based on an older version of BMW iDrive. That explains the 8.8-inch touchscreen, three-panel tile display, layered menu navigation, and center console iDrive-style controls.
In addition, you can use the voice recognition system to interact with the technology. It works well but does not adjust dual-zone automatic climate control settings. Also, while listening to satellite radio, I requested reggae music, and it could not find channel 19, the Bob Marley station.
Since I use an iPhone, the Clubman’s lack of Android Auto wasn’t a problem, but I can see how this might be a deal-breaker for some people. In any event, I didn’t have any trouble pairing it to the Mini’s infotainment system but using CarPlay and streaming Pandora internet radio wasn’t intuitive. Also, Mini inconveniently locates the phone charging dock under the center armrest.
The Harman Kardon audio system produces impressive sound, and the speaker grilles on the front door panels wrap entirely around the door release and power lock switch, making a design-first statement.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
My Clubman Cooper S ALL4 test car had a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 189 hp at 5,000 rpm and 206 lb-ft of torque starting at 1,350 rpm. It pairs with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, and the car tipped the scales at a surprising 3,534 pounds. Nothing Mini about that.
Unsurprisingly, the Clubman felt zippy but not quick by modern standards. And with a full load of passengers, it proved sluggish when accelerating onto freeways or attempting to pass slower vehicles. Mini claims a Clubman Cooper S scoots to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds, but by the seat of my pants, that seems optimistic.
Switching into the Sport driving mode and transmission setting adds some liveliness to the proceedings. So calibrated, the Mini Clubman Cooper S eagerly ripped down Southern California’s Mulholland Highway, the powertrain shifting flawlessly as I threaded the curves.
In addition, the Iconic trim package’s adaptive damping suspension firmed up nicely, and the steering added a sense of heft while losing its irritating on-center dead spot. I detected a hint of brake fade after hard, extended use, but nothing of concern. Unfortunately, the test car’s P225/40R18 Bridgestone Turanza tires howled easily.
On highways, the Clubman suffers significant road noise. Worse, in Mid mode, the on-center steering feel is terrible.
Los Angeles freeways feature narrow lanes, lane-splitting motorcyclists, distracted drivers, and high speeds (when traffic is actually flowing). The Clubman’s on-center dead spot, stickiness just off-center, and quick response just beyond make the Mini disquieting to drive in environments where steering accuracy and the ability to fine-tune inputs are critical.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
Mini equips every 2023 Clubman with Active Driving Assistant, which includes forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional standard safety features include a reversing camera and rear parking sensors, and the Clubman is ready for inclement weather thanks to rain-sensing windshield wipers, heated washer jet nozzles, and heated side mirrors.
Iconic trim installs the contents of a Driver Assistance package, which includes a semi-autonomous parking assistance feature and a head-up display. Adaptive cruise control is a standalone option missing from the test vehicle.
For a premium-positioned vehicle, that’s a light load of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). In particular, the car’s omission of a blind-spot warning system is egregious, especially considering Mini offers a less practical semi-autonomous parking assistance system for the Clubman.
Since my test vehicle had so few safety features, I can only report that the lane-departure warning system rarely made itself known with a subtle vibration of the steering wheel. While I admit driving a car without many ADAS is refreshing, it certainly is unusual.
As for the head-up display, it uses a tinted plastic panel that rises from the top of the dashboard. It’s not much easier to reference than the digital instrumentation panel directly beneath it, and it blocks the driver’s view of the hood. I don’t see the point of it, especially when a blind-spot warning system is missing in action.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
Swing the Clubman’s unique cargo doors open, and you’ll find 17.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat, including the sizable storage compartment underneath the load floor. That’s more than most sedans but less than small crossover SUVs.
Mini also equips the cargo area with storage pockets in each inner rear door panel and netted side pockets. The center section of the back seat also folds down to allow the carriage of long items without kicking passengers out.
Fold the back seats down, and a Clubman can carry 47.9 cu-ft of cargo, which is on par with small SUVs. Roof rails are available, too, and because the Clubman sits low to the ground, loading items on the roof is easier.
According to the EPA, the Mini Clubman Cooper S ALL4 should get 27 mpg in combined driving. On the evaluation loop, the test car averaged 25.9 mpg using Mid and Sport driving modes. Based on that real-world average and the 13.2-gallon fuel tank, our test car’s driving range would be nearly 342 miles, meaning you could comfortably travel 300 miles between fill-ups.
With few standard and available advanced driving assistance systems and no crash-test ratings to reference, it is impossible to determine whether a Mini Clubman is safe. All I can report is that it lacks many modern safety features.
At the start of the model year, Mini Clubman prices ranged from $29,900 to $39,500, not including the $850 destination charge.
The Mini Cooper lineup ranks highest in the Compact Sporty Car segment in the JD Power 2023 Initial Quality Study (IQS) and JD Power 2023 APEAL Study. JD Power did not rank any other models in this segment in these studies.
Mini positions itself as a premium brand between mass-market and luxury marques. There are no direct rivals to the Clubman wagon in that marketing segment. Instead, you’ll find small crossover SUVs such as the Buick Encore GX, Jeep Compass, Mazda CX-30, and Volkswagen Taos.
Looking at entry-luxury models, alternatives could include the BMW X2, Lexus UX, Mercedes-Benz GLA, and Volvo XC40.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
As a sport wagon fan and lover of small, fun-to-drive cars, the Clubman is my favorite Mini.
Infused with personality, founded on German engineering, and featuring just enough passenger and cargo space to be genuinely practical, it’s a promising package. Unfortunately, the steering provides little confidence on L.A. freeways, the safety features list is skimpy, the infotainment user interface needs work (and Android Auto), and the price is sky-high.
Clubman production ends after the 2024 model year, and Mini isn’t taking any further orders. So, if you want one, dealer stock is all that’s left. Happy hunting.
Christian Wardlaw is a veteran automotive journalist with nearly 30 years of experience test-driving vehicles. He began his career at Edmunds and now owns Speedy Daddy Media, Inc., an automotive content creation company serving several automotive publishers. In addition to JDPower.com, his work has appeared in numerous new- and used-car buying guides, newspapers, and automotive industry trade journals.
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