The old MINI Clubman was a more practical version of the standard hatchback but was hamstrung by hard-to-access back seats (only one rear door) and not particularly big boot.
This new model comes with more interior space than before, a high standard specification, and for the first time a pair of proper doors for rear passengers.
Offering a similar amount of space as a VW Golf, BMW 1 Series and Ford Focus but with a much more characterful appearance, the new MINI Clubman offers a more characterful car than its rivals.
MINI Clubman offers low petrol and diesel BIK rates
Catching the eye of company car drivers will be the low-emission Cooper D and Cooper SD models, which cost £22,265 and £24,255 respectively.
Our calculations* show that currently the petrol-powered Cooper model is the cheapest per month. Thanks to its significantly lower asking price and 118g/km of CO2, you’ll pay just £60 a month, while fuel consumption is 55.4mpg.
When the diesel surchange no longer applies from April though, the next cheapest, the diesel Cooper D is likely to be the most cost-effective choice which produces 148bhp and 68.9mpg, while emitting 109g/km with a manual gearbox slotting the car into a 19 percent BIK band for the current tax year. This costs £70 and is a better all-rounder as it’s a bit quicker and uses less fuel.
Pick the faster Cooper SD and you’ll race from 0-62mph in 7.4 seconds, more than a second quicker than the Cooper D. This produces 119g/km of CO2 and claims 62.8mpg, and will cost you £81 a month.
What else is new in the MINI Clubman?
You now get a proper pair of rear doors to ease access for passengers, while the old car had two fronts and one half-sized rear door.
Inside you get a similar amount of space to other popular mid-sized hatchbacks, seating four comfortably and five when needed.
The Clubman’s party trick is its special barn-door opening to the boot. There are two small doors which can be opened individually or together to make accessing the 360-litre loadspace easy.
You can now do this automatically by pressing a button on the handle or keyfob, or hands free with a kicking motion under the bumper.
Well-equipped whichever you choose
As all UK cars start at the usually mid-table Cooper level, there’s a generous amount of kit on offer.
Both petrol and diesel cars get 16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, sat nav, Bluetooth connectivity, interior lights pack, central-display with LED ring, keyless start, and a start/stop system as standard.
Also included is the “Excitement Package”, which adds a choice of coloured interior lights, and a MINI logo-shaped puddle light from the driver’s side door mirror.
The Cooper SD brings exterior chrome, larger 17-inch alloy wheels, twin exhaust pipes, front sports seats and Performance Control to helps control understeer.
The new MINI Clubman order books are now open.
*Calculations based on a 20 percent tax payer.
