Used Mini Clubman 2015-2024 review

The traditional Mini has always carried a lot of style yet possessed little space. As such, the brand has long-been trying to transfer that cache onto more practical vehicles, with the Mini Clubman being one of them.

This is the latest (and last) generation of the Clubman and it rivals models like the Skoda Fabia Estate and Volkswagen Golf.

Engines & Performance: The engine range starts with a 101bhp 1.5-litre petrol in the One model, followed by a more potent 134bhp version of the same unit in the Cooper. If you want more poke, you can go for one of the two 2.0-litre petrol engines, with 189bhp in the Cooper S and 228bhp (or 302bhp after the 2019 facelift) in the John Cooper Works.

High-mileage drivers have a choice of three diesel engines: a 114bhp 1.5-litre in the One D, a 148bhp 2.0-litre in the Cooper D and an 187bhp version of the same engine in the Cooper SD.

A facelift in 2019 changed very little on the exterior; the big clue is the Union Jack tail-lights. The 1.5-litre One D and more powerful 2.0-litre Cooper SD diesels were removed from the range, while different model designations (Cooper Classic, Cooper Sport and Cooper Exclusive) with improved levels of equipment were introduced. The Cooper S carried over mostly as before, while the John Cooper Works received a significant power increase.

Ride & Handling: Mini has a reputation for building cars that are fun to drive, with the Clubman being no exception. Quick, direct steering means it turns in to a corner eagerly, while tight body control means it barely leans over as it does so. There’s loads of grip, too, and the chassis responds well to the accelerator, so you can easily adjust your line as you go. In short, it’s far more fun that it has any right to be.

The effect is amplified by the engines; even the cheapest petrol has a sporty sound and is perky and responsive, while more potent models are genuinely fast. Diesels, too, have lots of shove, although they naturally don’t sound quite as nice.

The trade-off for the zingy character is that the Clubman isn’t the most comfortable car in the world, with a ride that’s rather firm and a touch jiggly around town. Having said that, it’s tolerably so, and its ride smooths out on the motorway enough that it rarely proves to be an issue.

Interior & Practicality: Inside, you’ll find an interior that looks like nothing else (well, with the obvious exception of another Mini), with a big central binnacle that houses the media display, cute chrome-effect switches and optional ambient lighting that allows you to choose any colour you like. It’s all built sturdily enough, too, although some family cars like the Audi A3 do it better.

As we’ve discussed, space is reasonable by comparison with similar-priced hatchbacks, although the rear seats are a touch cramped; they’re also on the tricky side to get in and out of, due to the Clubman’s low roofline. However, they do at least fold down flat. The boot’s opening is narrower than most, due to the side-hinged doors, but the load lip is low and the luggage area is well shaped. Those barn doors are also useful when you want to load smaller items, requiring much less effort to open than a traditional bootlid.

Trims & Equipment: Standard equipment on the Cooper model is generous, with cruise control, automatic lights and wipers and air conditioning all coming as standard. Cooper S models get sports seats and that more potent engine but very little extra equipment of real significance.

Having said all that, it’s worth shopping around for a Clubman that fits your ideal specification, because many will have been upgraded with picks from the expansive options list, not to mention two-tone paint effects and decals. For example, cars fitted with the popular Chili Pack, which adds climate control, LED headlights and rear parking sensors, are worth seeking.

Interested in buying a used Mini Clubman? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

You can buy a used Mini Clubman for around £7000, but it'll have around 100,000 miles on it and possibly previous damage. We recommend a budget of £9000 to start off with, that way you can get a respectable 2015/2016 Cooper or Cooper D with around 65,000 miles on it.

Up your budget to around £10,000 if you fancy a Cooper S, rising to around £15,000 if you'd like a JCW.

For a 2020 Clubman, have at least £12,000 to spend. Nearly new examples go for upwards of around £22,000.

In other words, the Clubman is one of the more expensive family car options, sitting above the equivalent Volkswagen Golf or Audi A3.

Check the value of a used Clubman with What Car? Valuations

Find used Mini cars for sale

MPG: The pre-WLTP 101bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine had a combined figure of 55.4mpg, while the 114bhp 1.5-litre and 187bhp 2.0-litre diesels got 74.2mpg and 62.8mpg respectively. Post-WLTP engines may appear worse on paper, but that's because you're more likely to actually achieve the numbers quoted.

The 136bhp 1.5-litre petrol achieved a figure of 44.2mpg, the faster 192bhp 2.0 petrol got 40.4mpg and the crazy John Cooper Works is rated at 34.9mpg. Diesel lovers can get a 148bhp 2.0-litre engine good for 56.5mpg.

CO2 emissions: The 1.5-litre diesel slips into the free road tax band, thanks to official CO2 emissions of 99g/km, but the 2.0-litre diesels aren't far off this, at 113g/km and 114g/km respectively.

Low road tax can be enjoyed by petrol fans as well, because the 101bhp 1.5-litre spits out only 119g/km, while the 136bhp 1.5-litre emits 127g/km. The 192bhp 2.0-litre in the Cooper S chucks out 145g/km, while the John Cooper Works is on 169g/km.

Road tax: Road tax for all models registered before 1 April 2017 will vary depending on official CO2 emissions, while examples registered after this date will incur the flat rate fee for all cars that cost less than £40,000 when new. Currently, that's £180 per year. Beware, though: top-end Cooper SD and John Cooper Works models fitted with a few option packs could sneak into that higher-rate tax band.

Servicing: Servicing costs for the Clubman are similar to those of the Audi A3, reflecting the fact that it's a premium product. Alternatively, you can opt to set up a monthly direct debit and buy a service plan online that covers two services, an MOT test, seasonal health checks, fluid top ups, sat-nav mapping updates and car cleaning for £17.99 plus a deposit.

Insurance groups: The entry-level, insurance-friendly 1.5-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel One models sit in insurance groups 12 and 15 respectively. However, the more powerful 136bhp 1.5-litre petrol found in the Cooper isn't too much more costly in group 17. The 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel sits in group 18, but the punchier 187bhp Cooper SD is in group 23. Performance-hungry drivers that want to keep an eye on the purse strings should choose the Cooper S (group 26), because the upgraded John Cooper Works (from 2019) is in group 40.

Specification: Because the Clubman isn’t exactly cheap to buy, we reckon keeping it simple is the order of the day. That means picking a Cooper, which gives you all the equipment you need and none you don’t. If you do fancy a few extra fripperies, though, we’d suggest finding one with the Chili and the Media packs if possible, rather than upgrading to the Cooper S.

Engine: Of the engines available with the Clubman in Cooper form, we reckon the 138bhp 1.5-litre petrol is the best choice for economy and performance. If you do lots of miles on the motorway, go for the 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel, because it's smoother than the 1.5 three-cylinder engine, and cheaper than the 187bhp version found in the Cooper SD.

Our favourite Mini Clubman: 1.5 Cooper

Our current favourite rival to the Clubman would be the Volkswagen Golf. It’s comfier, roomier and even a little classier inside than the Clubman, although the downsides are that it blends into the crowd more readily and isn’t quite as taut or exciting to drive.

If you want a classy family hatchback with a premium badge on it, you could also try the Audi A3. Again, it doesn't quite have the stand-out looks of the Clubman, but its fabulously classy interior, excellent efficiency and cracking balance between ride and handling should make up for that.

If what you’re really after is a small estate, try the Skoda Fabia Estate. It’s cheaper than the Clubman, plus it gets a bigger boot, but the trade-off is a less luxurious interior.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? Newsletter here

Interested in buying a used Mini Clubman? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.