Mini Clubman Cooper 2019 review

It seems unkind to say it, but if you’ve driven the previous Clubman, there will be no surprises here. This is still a car that doesn’t quite fit into the traditional C-segment family hatchback mould, aiming to be a stylish and fun alternative to mainstream models, and in some respects it achieves that. Perhaps more pertinently, it’s the relatively modestly engined Cooper that proves itself to be the sweetest model in the line-up.

Despite the sporting connotations of the Cooper name, it's no fireball, being brisk rather than quick. Its three-cylinder engine revs a little lazily, but it’s smooth enough and emits a pleasant growl when extended, plus there’s a decent seam of low-down torque that allows the gearbox to short-shift up the ratios yet still make decent progress. 

However, the DCT is a mixed bag. It can get a little wrong-footed at low speed, jerkily shifting between ratios as you pull out of a junction or onto a roundabout. It’s quick and slick the rest of the time, while manual changes are operated the ‘right’ way around - pull the lever towards you for upshifts and push away for downshifts, motorsport style. The latter action also gives you a nice throttle blip to smooth progress.

The Clubman drives much as before in the corners, which isn't surprising, given no changes have been made to the chassis. The steering is quick and meatily weighted but suffers from some kickback and the merest hint of torque steer. Still, the car turns in quickly and feels like it wants to rotate around your hips, with the rear axle keen to share the load. You’re aware of the mass, however, and it’s not long before the tyres start squealing and the front edges wide – although breakaway is progressive and the nose can be brought back into line with a small lift of the throttle.