Road Test: 2009 MINI Cooper S Clubman

I just finished another long term test, this time in BMW's latest version of the MINI, the Clubman. Since BMW took over MINI, the car has taken on a new life, building on an already unique brand and creating an all new following. The Clubman version of the MINI expands on it even further. With an extended wheelbase and split rear barn doors, the Clubman gives MINI buyers another choice at being just a little different.

Where's the nearest track?
I was expecting the MINI to handle like a go cart but I thought it would come at the expense of a smooth ride. I was wrong. BMW has done an excellent job of tuning the Clubman's suspension. When you're tackling your favorite back road, this MINI corners flat and quick, with minimal body roll.

But when you're simply in a get to point A to B mode, be it city streets or the freeway, this MINI is quite smooth. It absorbs the majority of road irregularities, with the occasional thump from rough city streets. I haven't driven a standard size MINI Cooper to compare it to the Clubman. To be fair, the Clubman's ride may be benefiting from its slightly longer wheelbase.

Performance in a small package
MINI has developed an all-new 16-valve 4-cylinder for their cars, with the 'S' models outfitted with twin-scroll turbos and direct injection. The motor puts out 172 HP and 177 lb/ft of torque. I noticed after driving it for a short time that the turbo does take a moment to spool up but when it does, the Clubman accelerates quickly with a nice rasp from its twin tail pipes.

BMW decided to use Getrag to build their MINI manual transmission and it appears to have been a good choice. Not quite as smooth as the manual in the BMW 3-series, the Clubman's six-speed is sweet. Shifts are crisp with nary a doubt as to which gear you're in. It took me a moment to get used to the "slide left and up" for reverse (my daily driver is a five-speed) but once past that, it's fun to find the right gear for the moment, keeping that little buzz saw under the hood in the power band.

Qubic's (@qubicmx on Twitter) opinion of the Clubman? He gave me a thumbs up for this MINI.

"The S Clubman's performance and handling was fabulous," he said. "Cargo space definitely makes this sporty car a little more functional." That pretty much sums it up.

Efficiency in size
One thing I found I had to get used to was the car's size. I really can't compare the MINI's size to any other cars I've driven. Well, except maybe the '71 VW Beetle I drove while going to school. Nevertheless, its been a long time.

Some quick tips for potential MINI owners. First, back very slowly out of any parking space. Or avoid parking between anything larger than you. Don't assume the soccer mom cruising the lot in her SUV or minivan can see you. Because she can't. Park out of the way, even if you have to walk further. Think of it as a little extra cardio.

Second, get used to the Clubman's square-ness. The car is boxy, with a very upright greenhouse. Now, this may be a characteristic that attracts you to MINI styling. It certainly contributes to the feeling of roominess inside the car. Because of its shape, I initially felt like I was driving a small truck. Even though the glass is expansive, the windshield feels short. I was ducking slightly at intersections to get a look at the traffic light above, waiting for it to turn green. This isn't a criticism. It's just part of the MINI mystique.

And at the pump
With so much attention today being placed on fuel efficiency, the MINI models have it covered in spades. EPA estimates on the Clubman's sticker will tell you it's capable of 26 miles per gallon in the city and 34 on the highway. When I drove in a less "sporty" manner, I was easily seeing these mileage predictions and even better. Quite simply, this car sips gas. The downside to many turbocharged engines is the need for premium fuel. You'll always be paying more per gallon than lesser, non-compressed cars. Will the cars fuel efficiency make up for the higher priced gas? Probably not.

Interior will appeal to a unique few
I've taken a close look at MINI's before, usually at your friendly neighborhood car show. And the one thing that has always rubbed me the wrong way is the interior.

But I'll talk about the best first. The seats are awesome. Now, you do need to be prepared to drop into this car. Your rear end isn't far from the tarmac. But once you're in, these seats are comfortable and very supportive during "spirited" driving. You'll appreciate these buckets hip hugging ability when you're carving it up or hanging a quick right-hander into your local grocery store.

The downside to the interior? It seems disorganized, or better yet, things are not where you expect it. First of all, does that speedometer double as a pizza pan? It's huge, dominating the dash and seeming a little outlandish. And you think it would be easy to read and it is. But since its not in front of you, you're constantly glancing right to check it. And you have to do that because it's easy to exceed the speed limit very quickly.

The center stack continues the almost cartoonish theme, with the CD player below the speedo, the climate control next, followed by the various switchgear for the power windows, fog lights and door locks, the latter being chrome toggle switches. With the shifter and two cup holders at the base of the stack, getting at those chrome toggles turns into a bit of a hassle as you hunt for the right one. Not something you want to be doing while driving.

A nice option in my test car was the dual pane panoramic sunroof. With this, both front and rear seat passengers have a view skyward, each with separate expanses of glass. Your kids will especially enjoy the night-time sky. Each pane has its own pull-out sun screen and will pop-up for added ventilation.

MINI's Clubman, a nice option
If you're in the hunt for a small, yet sporty ride, make sure you take a look at the various MINI models. BMW has done a nice job renewing the brand and their conscience effort at quality shows. The car may be small but it's rock solid. Be prepared for a bit of sticker shock though. My test car was well optioned and topped $32,000. Expensive when compared to other cars in its class. But competitors will have trouble matching build quality. German engineering does demand a premium.

Have you had any experience with any of the MINI models that you would like to share here on Ridestory? Just leave your comments below. I, as well as others, would like to hear from you.