2008 MINI Cooper S Clubman Road Test

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An interesting note: for drive-on-the-right markets in North America and Europe the Clubdoor is ideal, as it opens on to the sidewalk. In MINI's home market of the U.K., it means occupants are discharged straight into the traffic.

Rear visibility is compromised a bit by the design of the rear doors, and the center pillar is thick. But you get used to it eventually. While there's certainly more room with or without the rear seats down, the doors aren't quite as useful as a true hatchback if parking spaces are narrow. The best benefit is when putting packages or children in the rear seats and cargo area. When in back, those passengers will sit on either a sculpted two-seat or flat three-seat bench.

The Cooper's classy dash carries over intact, with its ginormous speedometer and confusing audio controls and all its charm. And all MINIs coming to the U.S. will get a raft of standard safety gear including six airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution, Cornering Brake Control (CBC), and Brake Assistant. Stability and traction control with hill-start assistance will also be standard. A limited-slip differential will be an option on the Cooper S Clubman, while 16-inch wheels will be the standard on the S models.

Final drive

The Brits may not be happy about that Clubdoor arrangement, but thankfully their anger will be forgotten the moment they push the starter button and select first on the six-speed manual gearbox. The Clubman is a great driver's car.

On the road it's the sort of vehicle to put a proper smile on your face, with direct and accurate steering, a sweet gearchange and great handling. As with all Cooper S models, the ride is pretty firm and the front-wheel-drive setup means there's a fair amount of torque steer. But dynamically it's a real rollerskate and a dashboard-mounted Sport button creates even sharper steering and throttle responses when selected.

MINI engineers spent a considerable amount of time on the "go-kart" steering, with mixed results. It handles really well but feels artificial. The electric power steering is a good idea but could use some improvements, as it feels very stiff on-center.

Otherwise the Clubman handled the hills outside Madrid with ease. It flaunts a great exhaust note—garnering the attention of many locals as we paused in front of a small dam in a village outside Spain's capital. In city driving around Madrid, the additional power and the inherent agility of the design shone through. The stretch to its chassis doesn't change the driving feel of the MINI; it's larger but still drives "small."

The extra cargo room is fine, but it's not enough to make this the obvious choice for a one-car family. It's still a second or even third vehicle for most people. But if that's what you're looking for, and you've rejected the MINI so far for being just too small, put the Clubman on your list of test drives and go find some twisty roads. You won't regret it.

2008 MINI Cooper S Clubman

Base Price: $25,000 (est.)

Engine: Turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder, 175 hp/177 lb-ft (base Clubman: no turbo, 120 hp/118 lb-ft)

Drivetrain: Six-speed manual or automatic, front-wheel drive

Length x width x height: 155.8 x 66.3 x 56.4 in

Wheelbase: 100.8 in

Curb weight: 2800 lb (est.)

Fuel economy (EPA city/hwy): N/A

Standard safety equipment: Dual front, side, and curtain airbags; anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control

Major standard equipment: AM/FM/CD player; power door locks/windows/mirrors; variable intermittent wipers; air conditioning; Comfort Key system

Warranty: Four years/50,000 miles

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