Mini Clubman review

All the usual Mini elements are here – snickety manual gearshift, low-slung driving position, weighty steering and so on. However, the 125kg weight penalty versus a standard Mini, and the longer wheelbase, means it’s less playful. That’s right and fit for purpose, but a bit of a shame that Mini’s much self-lauded ‘go-kart feel’ has been lost in translation. The Cooper S version is the hottest at launch but, despite its BMW-sourced 2.0-litre four-pot, it’s too sluggish to be classed as a hot hatch. 

You’re better off with the regular Cooper, with its gem-like 1.5-litre turbo triple out-delivering its entry-level price. A great 170lb ft torque slug means it’ll cope OK fully laden – important given the Clubman’s new raison d’etre.