2019 MINI Clubman Hatchback

The classic Mini Hardtop invokes images of rally car racing and a high-speed caper through the streets of Turin or Los Angeles, depending on which decade you were born. Think of the 2019 Mini Clubman as the Hardtop's more responsible older sibling. With more usable interior space than the other small cars in Mini's lineup, the Clubman is the ideal pick for drivers who desire fun and practicality in equal measure.

The Clubman slots between the four-door Hardtop and the Countryman small crossover in Mini's lineup. Its moderate weight and balanced handling give it the driving dynamics smaller Minis are known for, while a longer wheelbase allows for more backseat legroom and a spacious cargo hold that is nearly the same size as the Countryman's. The Clubman offers the best of both worlds, as long as you upgrade to the turbocharged four-cylinder in the Cooper S to bolster its performance.

The 2019 Mini Clubman is for people who love the driving and handling characteristics of a Mini but need more rear-seat room and cargo space than the four-door Hardtop provides. All three models — Cooper, Cooper S and John Cooper Works — have similar feature content but are differentiated by the engines underhood. From there, buyers choose between three trim levels (Classic, Signature and Iconic) with an increasing variety of features. A healthy number of styling, performance and luxury upgrades are available on most models.

Powering the Cooper is a turbocharged three-cylinder engine (134 horsepower, 162 pound-feet of torque) paired to your choice of a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. Although it's the base trim, the Classic is still well-equipped. Feature highlights include 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic wipers, foglights, heated mirrors, rear parking sensors,height-adjustable front seats, simulated leather upholstery, a 60/40-split folding rear seat and multicolor ambient lighting. Among the standard tech items are Bluetooth, a 6.5-inch central display, a rearview camera, and a six-speaker sound system with a USB port.

Stepping up to the Cooper S adds a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (189 hp, 207 lb-ft) mated to the six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic (steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters are optional). It also gets 17-inch wheels, dual exhaust tips, extra styling flourishes, and front sport seats with adjustable thigh support.

The most powerful Clubman is the John Cooper Works model. Motivated by a more potent version of the turbocharged four-cylinder (228 hp, 258 lb-ft), this Clubman comes only with all-wheel drive. Upgrades include 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, cornering lights, a rear spoiler, a sport-tuned suspension, keyless entry, a sport steering wheel, more aggressively bolstered sport seats, and simulated suede and cloth upholstery.

Features added by the Signature trim differ slightly depending on model, but generally, it adds a panoramic sunroof, keyless entry, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam control and touchscreen functionality. Cooper models get 16-or 17-inch wheels, Cooper S versions get adjustable driving modes, and JCW models get adaptive dampers. Selecting the Signature trim also opens the door to additional paint choices, interior dashboard appliques and upholstery choices.

The Signature's Premium package further adds power-folding mirrors, auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors, chrome exterior trim, LED headlights and foglights, cornering lights, satellite radio and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

The Iconic trim includes those upgrades, plus power-adjustable front seats, a 40/20/40-split rear seat, leather upholstery, a navigation system, wireless charging, an 8.8-inch touchscreen and a spare tire. Depending on powertrain choice, selecting the Iconic trim will add different features. Cooper and Cooper S models get a choice of several 17- and 18-inch wheel styles, while Cooper S and JCW models get adaptive suspension dampers.

Many of the above options can be ordered separately. A Driver Assistance package for Signature and Iconic trims adds front parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, a head-up display and an automated parallel parking system. Additional stand-alone options include exterior and interior styling modifications, all-season tires and roof rails.

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on a full test of the Mini Clubman Cooper Hatchback (turbo 1.5L inline-3 | 6-speed automatic | FWD).

NOTE: Since this test was conducted in 2016, the current Clubman has received some revisions, including a revamped trim structure in 2019. Our findings remain applicable to this year's Clubman, however.