WR Fleet: 2008 Mini Clubman

We’re having a hard time justifying a need for the Mini Clubman, but we found our test car to be rather enjoyable during it’s week-long stay in our fleet. We wish it had the Cooper S Clubman’s performance specs, but with fuel economy figures of 28 miles per gallon city and 37 mpg highway, we’re not complaining.

Click through the jump to read our staff’s impressions of the Clubman and click the images below to open a gallery.

Nate Luzod
Art Director

It’s every bit as detailed and well-executed as we should expect. At a glance, it might not look much different from a regular Mini, so don’t expect many oohs and aahs from passersby. The most obvious difference is in the day-in-and-out routines; the back seat becomes useful and trunk space is opened up quite a bit—at least by Mini standards. Handling is Mini-esque, though it lacks the power and agility I’ve come to look forward to every time I get behind the wheel of one. Flooring it and downshifting, I couldn’t help but feel the car is weighted down, and as such the whole driving experience is a bit dampened. Perhaps this is the compromise for making the car more useful. Let’s hope for the best of both worlds when the S comes our way.

Phil Floraday
Managing News Editor

Since we have no curb weight listed, it’s hard to tell how heavy this car actually is. The Clubman felt slow to me, but if you look at the ginormous speedometer, it actually moves pretty quickly. Given the 28/37-mile-per-gallon ratings for fuel economy, I could easily live with the performance of this car. I can’t live with the barn doors out back. I don’t like the door pillars obstructing my vision. The car would be just as functional with a regular hatch and the visibility would be better. This is a nice enough car, but I’d much rather have a last-gen Mini than any of the current offerings.

Kimberly A. Ewing
Business/Fleet Manager

I wasn’t exactly bowled over by the “wow” factor of the Clubman. By the way, did they name the Clubman based on the “club”-sounding beat that emanates throughout the vehicle until you put your seatbelt on? I’ve never been a fan of the huge speedometer in the middle of the dash (awful) and the center buttons for the windows, etc., is a design flaw to me. I didn’t use the Clubman for anything other than running a few errands around town. Parking is a breeze, zipping in and out of city traffic is sweet, and the fuel economy is great (especially with our fuel prices at the highest). Why doesn’t the Clubman have a fourth door on the side? It was not easy getting to the back seats and there is still very little room in the cargo area. I didn’t find the split rear doors to be a nuisance regarding visibility. The gearbox is perfect.

Steven J. Ewing
Production Assistant

I like the Mini Clubman. I think that our base Cooper Clubman is good for people who don’t necessarily need a true sporting car, and now I’m really itching to drive a Cooper S Clubman to see how well the turbocharger works in the longer, heavier body style. Still, 118 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque isn’t bad for a car this size. Put four full-size adults and their gear in the cabin, though, and performance will lag a bit.

The lack of a fourth door on the side is really a flaw in this car. I think it would really help the design and make loading people and objects much easier. Still, the rear legroom is much appreciated in the big Mini and I think that this car will be a hit with young, single parents. Still, multiple-children families will want something bigger, and car enthusiasts will want something a little nimbler (Cooper S JCW, please).

Carrie Roca
Managing Editor

I understand the design concessions in a small, boutique package like the Mini, but I still find the speedometer not in my direct field of vision to be a real detriment in driving. I constantly check my speed, and to have to take my eyes off the road to do that—if just for a second—just isn’t safe.

I do like the elongated look of this Mini, and from a visual standpoint I even like the old Mr. Ed split rear doors, which technically makes the Clubman a five-door. And though it is true the vertical divider obscures rearward visibility, that shouldn’t be too much of an issue, as this car will be bought mainly by image-conscious consumers who are prepared to make such sacrifices.

2008 MINI COOPER CLUBMAN

Engine: Inline-4, 1.6 liters, 16v
Output: 118 hp/114 lb-ft
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Weight: n/a
Fuel economy, city/hwy: 28/37 mpg

Price as tested: $27,000 (est.)