Test by Tom Appel
2024 Mini John Cooper Works Clubman ALL4
Specs
Class: Subcompact Car
Color: Island Blue
Miles driven: 274
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | C+ |
| Power and Performance | A- |
| Fit and Finish | B |
| Fuel Economy | B+ |
| Value | B- |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | B- |
| Tall Guy | B |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 301-horsepower 2.0-liter |
| Engine Type | Turbocharged 4-cyinder |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Observed fuel economy: 27.1 mpg
Driving mix: 60% city, 40% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 23/31/26 (mpg city/highway/combined)
Fuel type: Premium gas
Snow Performance: N/A
Base price: $42,400 (not including $995 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Iconic Trim ($6500), Multitone White Roof ($500),
Price as tested: $50,395
Pros and Cons
The great: A blast to drive, plenty of cargo space
The good: Fuel efficient, comfortable front-row seating
The not so good: Pricey for a small car, needs premium fuel
Overview
“Order now, while supplies last!” Generally, if you hear that line, you’re watching a commercial for some form of indestructible cutlery aired during a late broadcast of Gunsmoke. But as the same commercial has been running for something like 18 months, you begin to wonder if that supply is really in danger of running low. Feels a little scammy. But, no scam, if you’re interested in the Mini Cooper Clubman, you really want locate an example quickly, as production ended late last year, and what you see on dealer lots really is all there is.
The delightful Clubman (forgive the early editorializing, but this feels a little like a eulogy) has sadly been a slow seller for Mini, accounting for just 670 of the brand’s almost 30,000 U.S.-market sales in 2023. We find this lack of popularity a little surprising, as the Clubman seems like the perfect enthusiast blend of performance (189-301 horsepower), utility (it’s a wagon), and quirkiness (how about that Dutch-style center-opening rear hatch?).
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Prices and Trim Levels
Word is that an electric replacement, the Aceman, will arrive later in 2024, and retain the Clubman’s wagon body style, if not the fun rear hatch.
But if you’d prefer a gas engine, you need to act quickly. The Mini car configurator is already beginning to act a little wiggy, suggesting that getting the package and color you want may be difficult.
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For 2024—the remaining cars are officially 2024 model-year units—the Clubman comes in two trim levels, S and John Cooper Works (JCW), and with one of three packages. We appreciate Mini keeping things simple.
The S comes with a 189-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. The JCW also employs a turbo four, but tuned for an eye-opening 301 horsepower. For JCW buyers, there are few choices to be made here, it comes only with AWD and an 8-speed automatic transmission. The S, however, is offered with front- and AWD, and, with front-drive, a 6-speed manual transmission is an option. Mini expects both the S and JCW to be fed a steady diet of premium-grade gasoline.
Prices start at $35,045 for the S (add $2100 for AWD), and $43,395 for JCW. Offered are three trim levels: Classic (standard), Signature, and topline Iconic.
Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of a 2024 Mini Cooper Clubman JCW in Island Blue with the Iconic trim package. All told, our test car listed for $50,395, including destination charge.
Review
About the Clubman’s size: Though a “mini” vehicle, the Clubman is far roomier than most folks likely expect, and this big editor found the car reasonable comfortable, though somewhat difficult to get in and out of. We suspect that most would-be owners will find the front-row seating area plenty roomy enough.
The same cannot be said for the rear seating row, which is best reserved for small folk, and emergency situations. That said, fold the rear seatbacks down, and the cargo area expands nicely, making room for a surprising volume of groceries and Ikea furniture.
The Clubman control layout is typical Mini, featuring a large pie-plate center console control area which houses a not-especially-large, but perfectly functional, touchscreen. The touchscreen icons are large enough to decipher at a glance, and the menus are generally logical and easy to work through. Thick-fingered users will lament the touchscreen left-margin controls, which are pressed far left in the pie-plate frame, making them difficult to located and press while driving.
Ride and Handling
And for folks who are serious about their music, the Harman Kardon-brand audio system, which comes as part of the Iconic package is pretty sweet stuff. You’ll need to turn to the volume up during periods of aggressive driving—the engine and exhaust noise is not to be dismissed—but that’s really part of the fun.
On the Road the Clubman JCW does what is should, and that’s provide plenty of unbridled entertainment for its driver. While the ride is firm, it’s not harsh, and it seems like a small price to pay give the car’s outstanding handling. We especially appreciate the firm, precise steering and strong and responsive brakes. The Clubman may be a small station wagon, but it moves like a sports car.
Power and Performance
Power delivery is excellent, and the standard 8-speed automatic clicks off shifts in a crisp and decisive manner. Though a bit high strung, the Clubman JCW is mostly refined in around-town driving, though the revvy engine and fast-acting transmission remind you—in a chomping at the bit sort of way—that this car really is ready to play.
And, despite all the fun served up by the Clubman in JCW trim, our observed fuel economy did not disappoint. Over 274 miles of reasonably aggressive driving we saw just over 27 mpg, which given the power and performance, seems downright reasonable. Again, Mini does want you to feed your Clubman premium gas, which does to the fuel bill.
A note about styling: The ”Multitone” roof, which comes as part of the Iconic package, fades from white to dark gray as you move toward the back of the car. The effect is subtle, but kind of classy. Sadly, the fade is so subtle it’s difficult to pick up on in these pictures. But trust us, it’s pretty cool.
We’re sad to the see the Clubman go. Mini’s funky little performance wagon deserved a broader audience, but sadly driving enthusiasts failed to see the charm. If you’re thinking about grabbing one of the last of these rewarding-to-drive little longroofs, you need to act quickly. Because, as the kids say, you need to, “order now, while supplies last!”
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2024 Mini John Cooper Works Clubman Pictures
Click below for enlarged images
