Mini Clubman review

• For: Great to drive, unique styling, good engines
• Against: Expensive, rear doors limit practicality
• Verdict: Unique rival to the five-door family hatchback

The first modern Mini Clubman was a curio with weird doors that were flawed for British use.

The second-generation Clubman boasts a pair of proper rear passenger doors, although the twin outside-hinged ‘Clubdoor‘ tailgate remains. A 360-litre boot gives it Volkswagen Golf-like practicality.

You won’t mistake the Clubman for anything else on the road, and the cabin has a genuinely premium feel, plus a retro look that’s unique in the segment.

There are three core models: Cooper, Cooper D and Cooper S. In addition, a 306hp John Cooper Works serves as a performance flagship.

The 1.5-litre three-cylinder Cooper is a cracker, its 136hp more than enough for most drivers. The Clubman is brilliant to drive – it handles like a proper Mini.

A four-star Euro NCAP safety rating is disappointing in a segment filled with five-star rivals, though.

And it’s expensive, especially once you add a few must-have personalisation options.

KEY INFO

• Launched: 2015
• Facelifted: 2019
• Due for replacement: 2021