Used MINI Clubman for sale: everything you need to know
The MINI Clubman is one of the biggest Minis - and if that sounds like a contradiction in terms, it’s worth remembering that the 4.3-metre long Clubman is still ever so slightly shorter than a modern Volkswagen Golf. It’s got the premium image to compete with the Golf too, plus a healthy dollop of retro charm, courtesy of the usual MINI styling cues.
We’d call it a five-door hatchback, but actually it’s a six-door, thanks to one of the Clubman’s most distinctive features, its twin rear door arrangement. The boot behind them is a fairly conventional size though, while even this larger MINI is fun to drive. Read on to find out more about the Clubman, and which models to choose.
Should you buy a MINI Clubman?
So, those twin, vertically-split rear doors then. They’re a bit of a gimmick, but they give the MINI Clubman character, and that’s something this car has in spades when compared to more conventional family hatchbacks. This character doesn’t come at the expense of good old-fashioned practicality either, with a reasonably spacious interior and decently-sized boot, plus quality that’s right up there with the best in class.
It scores well for driving dynamics too. Most of the Clubman’s engines return decent performance and admirable economy, despite the absence of an in-vogue plug-in hybrid - they’re all petrol and diesel here. The Clubman shares its platform with cars like the BMW 1 Series, and it’s similarly nimble to drive, if not quite as agile and playful as MINI’s smaller models.
All Clubmans (Clubmen?) get a quirky, retro-inspired cabin to go with their similarly retro exterior designs, and while the tech now lags behind some more recently-introduced family hatchbacks, you still get a decent level of equipment in most trim levels (confusing though all the options are), and the driving environment is a lot more interesting than most other cars in the class.
That means cars like the Volkswagen Golf. The Clubman might look like an estate car, but it’s actually shorter than the Golf hatchback. That means it also competes with cars like the Ford Focus, Renault Megane, Peugeot 308, Vauxhall Astra, Mazda 3, and Honda Civic. The MINI’s towards the top of the pile for driving fun, but you’ll find more interior space and more high-tech features in some of these later models. Other premium options include the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series, and Mercedes A-Class.
What’s the best used MINI Clubman model to buy?
The Clubman is one of those cars where you can get plenty of joy, but also plenty of utility, from a fairly modest engine. In this case, our pick would be the 136PS 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol found in the Cooper, which will scrabble from 0-62mph in just over nine seconds and knock on the door of 50mpg if you’re relatively light-footed.
MINI’s trim level system is a little bewildering, typically sending you down either a sporty or more luxurious path depending on the model, but even entry-level Classic trim is well-equipped, with standard features like a 6.5-inch infotainment screen. To this, the original owner could add numerous extra packs, so it’s likely no two models will be exactly alike.
Used MINI Clubman fuel economy and performance
- MINI One D Clubman: Launched in 2016 but later dropped, this entry-level diesel uses a 1.6-litre three-cylinder layout, making 116PS and on the older NEDC test, averaging 74.3mpg.
- MINI Cooper Clubman: In Cooper form you get a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, with 136PS, later badged TwinPower. 0-62mph takes 9.1 seconds, and economy is 47.1mpg, while manual and automatic gearboxes are available.
- MINI Cooper D Clubman: Like the One D, the Cooper D disappeared from the range after a few years, but the 2-litre, 150PS model is capable of 0-62mph in 8.6 seconds and 68.9mpg NEDC economy.
- MINI Cooper S Clubman: Later badged TwinPower, Cooper S models get a 2-litre, turbocharged, four-cylinder petrol engine with 192PS (178PS in TwinPower models). 0-62mph comes up in 7.2 seconds, and economy is 48.7mpg (44.8mpg as the TwinPower).
- MINI Cooper SD Clubman: Another diesel dropped later down the line, the 2-litre four-cylinder Cooper SD serves up 190PS, and has a 7.4-second 0-62mph time. Economy on the older NEDC test was 65.7mpg combined.
- MINI John Cooper Works Clubman: This 2-litre, 231PS petrol engine (upgraded to a substantial 306PS in later TwinPower versions) could get from 0-62mph in 6.3 seconds (or under five seconds for later versions), and return 41.5mpg.
What used MINI Clubman trim levels are available?
Like many MINIs the Clubman has a sprawling range of trim levels, many of which are differentiated as much by styling features as they are equipment. This range is further bolstered by the occasional special edition, so keep an eye out for models like the Shadow Edition, the Untold Edition (with brass-coloured detailing and a green leather interior), and 2023’s Final Edition, a limited run of 100 examples with the Cooper S engine and copper-coloured alloy wheels.
- The MINI Clubman City was a 2018 model aimed at business customers, and came with 16-inch wheels, rear parking sensors, and an infotainment system with Apple CarPlay.
- The MINI Clubman Classic arrived in 2019 and could be optioned with several of the engines. Standard kit includes climate control, LED headlights, 16-inch alloy wheels (17-inch on the Cooper S model) and rear parking sensors.
- The MINI Clubman Sport could also be paired with most of the engines, and gets a sportier appearance, with 17-inch alloys, sports seats, and a sports steering wheel.
- The MINI Clubman Exclusive adds further goodies, from 18-inch alloy wheels, to leather-trimmed sports seats.
- The MINI Clubman John Cooper Works is the range-topping high-performance model, especially so with the later 306PS engine. Standard equipment includes 18-inch wheels, sports suspension, performance brakes, John Cooper Works styling elements, sports seats, a panoramic glass sunroof, and a Harman Kardon premium sound system.
Used MINI Clubman dimensions and boot size
The MINI Clubman’s exterior dimensions are:
- Length: 4266mm
- Width: 2018mm
- Height: 1441mm
- Ground clearance: 138mm
The MINI Clubman’s boot space is:
- 360 litres
- 1250 litres with rear seats folded
Used MINI Clubman road tax
The second-generation Clubman arrived in 2015, which means there are a couple of years where your VED (or ‘road tax’) is based on CO2 emissions. This means diesels will cost the least to tax, some as little as £30 a year. From April 2017 onwards, tax moves to a fixed rate system, under which all cost £190 per year as of 2024/2025 - though a handful of Clubmans over the £40,000 mark get a heftier £600 annual bill.
How much is it to insure a MINI Clubman?
At the bottom of the Clubman range, one of the older One City Classic models starts in insurance group 12 - a lower insurance group than a basic VW Golf. Other Clubman One D and One petrol models begin in group 15, while the Clubman Cooper begins at group 17. Topping the range is the group 40 John Cooper Works in Premium Plus trim.
