Full 2014 MINI Cooper Clubman Review
What's New for 2014
The 2014 Mini Cooper Clubman returns unchanged.
Introduction
With a car as small as the regular Mini Cooper hatchback, it's only natural that some shoppers will be drawn to its iconic design only to decide that they need something roomier. Mini has traditionally offered its wagonlike Cooper Clubman as an obvious solution to this dilemma. And indeed, in previous years the three-door Clubman provided extra versatility without any real drawbacks compared to the regular hardtop hatchback. But with the debut of the fully redesigned (and larger) 2014 Mini Cooper hatchback, the appeal of the 2014 Mini Cooper Clubman has dimmed somewhat.
The selling point of the Clubman continues to be its size. It's a full 9 inches longer than the previous-generation Cooper hatchback model on which it's based. That extra length allowed Mini to add a rear-hinged third door on the passenger side, which makes accessing the rear seats just a little easier. Open the twin barn-style rear doors and you'll also find a larger cargo hold than the old hatchback's.
Compared to the larger 2014 hatchback, though, the Clubman's size differential is lessened. It's still longer, but only by about 4 inches. And if you go by the spec sheet, the new hatchback actually has more cargo space than the Clubman. Additionally, the Clubman still has some notable drawbacks, including a potentially stiff and noisy ride and an interior design that values form over function.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2014 Mini Cooper Clubman is a four-passenger, two-door hatchback with a third, reverse-opening rear "club" door on the passenger side. In back, a pair of barn-style doors swing outward, replacing the conventional overhead liftgate on the regular Mini hatchback. The Clubman is offered in three trim levels: the base Cooper, sportier Cooper S and high-performance John Cooper Works (JCW).
The entry-level Cooper's list of standard equipment includes 15-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, leatherette (premium vinyl) upholstery, a tilt-and-telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, full power accessories, multicolor ambient lighting, a trip computer, Bluetooth and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player, HD radio and an auxiliary audio input jack.
Moving up to the Cooper S gets you a more powerful turbocharged engine, 16-inch alloy wheels, foglights and sport seats. The John Cooper Works adds a more powerful version of the same engine along with 17-inch alloy wheels, Brembo brakes, a dynamic traction mode for the stability control system, a sport-tuned suspension and cloth upholstery.
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