The Clubman Cooper S gets plenty of interior features as standard which include the modern self-leveling LED headlights and LED tail lights, cornering and fog lights, rear parking sensors, and camera, heated sport seats with leatherette upholstery, and large 17-inch alloy wheels. The ALL4 all-wheel-drive variant is essentially the same other than its drivetrain which also features a center limited-slip differential.

That being said, Mini does not offer any driver aids as standard with the Clubman, and if those essential for you, you will have to shell out an additional $1,250 for the Driver Assistance Package which includes Lane Departure Warning with steering wheel vibration, Active Cruise Control, automatic emergency braking, and front collision warning. The $2,000 Premium package on the other hand gets you premium leather upholstery, an 8.8-inch infotainment system, satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

Which trim should you buy?

The base Clubman S serves most purposes unless you absolutely have to have an AWD Mini. That being said, it is better to opt for both the Driver Assistance Package and the Premium Package, to best enjoy the Mini. 

There have been no changes made to the powertrain of the Clubman this year, which means it continues with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 189 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. The power is sent to the front wheels as standard through a six-speed manual transmission. The ALL4 Mini Clubman features an eight-speed automatic while the base trim can be had with a seven-speed dual-clutch (DSG) automatic transmission for $1,500 extra.

The engine output may not seem too much, but for a compact vehicle like the Mini, the 189 hp and 207 lb-ft are enough to get this Mini to 60 mph from standstill in just 6.4 seconds. It covers the quarter-mile in 15 seconds flat and can also tow around 2,900 lbs. The manual gearbox now makes the Mini even more fun and while the DSG automatic is quicker, there’s a different thrill with the manual. There’s also a John Cooper Works variant available of the Clubman which gets over 300 hp and is much more potent than the Clubman S. 

There aren’t wagons left in the market today that can take on the Mini, while the Subaru Outback does start at a much lower price tag than the Mini, the naturally aspirated engine feels lackluster. The turbo-4 engine of the Outback XT feels more in line with the Clubman but it makes it pricier than the Mini. Both the Audi and Volvo wagons are also pricier than the Mini and are potent both in terms of acceleration and towing performance. 

How does the 2021 Mini Clubman Cooper S Wagon handle?

As much as its tiny dimensions and round headlights are in the DNA of the Mini, the agile and sharp handling is also equally a part of its identity. Though the Clubman weighing more than the Hardtop has affected its handling to a certain extent, it still offers the same fun-to-drive experience from behind the wheel. The steering wheel is light and precise and offers decent feedback for you to know when it can be pushed harder in the corners.

This fun element compromises the ride quality as the stiffer suspension setup does make the ride a bit harsh and unpleasant for some passengers. The Dynamic Damper Control on higher trims, which allows the driver to choose between a comfortable damper setting and a stiffer setting to cater to the individual needs of the scenarios. The inclusion of a manual transmission has further helped in adding up to the fun element of the car. 

2021 Mini Clubman Cooper S Wagon Braking Performance

The lightweight and agile chassis of the Clubman means there is not much mass for the brakes to control in high-speed braking scenarios. Therefore, the rather small 11.6-inch front and 10.2-inch rear disc rotors do a great job in halting the just over 3,200 lbs Mini in a braking distance of 113 feet in the 60-0 mph panic braking test, which is also one of the best in the segment.

All its competitors are comparatively larger and therefore heavier in nature, and hence all of them employ much larger brakes. The Audi A4 Allroad and the Subaru Outback both weigh almost identical to each other, but the larger brakes available with the Audi provide a much shorter stopping distance. While the Outback has the least impressive braking performance, the Volvo impresses us as it travels just a couple of feet more than the Mini. 

Though the Mini Clubman is a small compact car with decent power output, it isn’t the most frugal engine out there. In spite of its lower weight, the Clubman S manages to return a maximum of 31 mpg on the highway while doing just 25 mpg combined as per the EPA ratings. Add to that the tiny 13.2-gallon fuel tank employed by Mini, and the overall driving range is pretty limited to around 300 miles, which translates to frequent visits to the gas station. 

The Audi with its mild-hybrid powertrain also does not do great wonders as it too is only marginally more frugal than the Mini. The Volvo V60 on the other hand is far more efficient than the other three and also employs a larger gas tank which further aids it in its driving range. The Subaru’s fuel efficiency is on par with the Audi as both offer AWD as standard, but Subaru has a much larger fuel tank capacity which offers the best driving range in this comparison. 

The cabin of the Mini Clubman feels premium and utilizes high-quality materials with the solid build quality. The design is pretty simple with all gauges and controls ergonomically positioned and easy to reach. Overall, the design still reminds us of the Mini hatchbacks of yesteryears. The gear selector, climate controls, and a couple of other switches are directly shared with BMW vehicles and although there are no complaints here, a different design would have been welcomed. 

The seats are very well cushioned which offers great comfort and support for both when cruising on the highways and also while having some fun around the twisties. Also, the compact footprint does not mean a lack of space as the front seats offer an ample amount of headroom and legroom to accommodate even taller passengers rather comfortably. The rear seat is a bit tight on legroom but shorter journeys would not be a great concern for adults, while kids would not mind the back seat at all. 

The trunk space is very limited at just 17.5 cu-ft while the rear seat can be folded in 60/40 split in the base trim with the higher trims featuring a 40/20/40 split seat that opens up around 48 cu-ft of space. One can also get the $1,000 optional Signature Upholstery Package that allows you to choose amongst the available four leather upholstery styles, a variety of interior surface materials, and a sport steering wheel. 

There is no doubt that the Subaru Outback is the most spacious wagon of this lot. It offers class-leading headroom and legroom for both the front and rear seat occupants and yet has tons of cargo space at the rear. The A4 Allroad and the Volvo V60 offer similar passenger space and trunk volume, but Audi opens up more space with the rear seat folded. The Mini Clubman feels a segment smaller against all the other wagons. Some of the features in the 2021 Mini Clubman Cooper S Wagon are:

• 8-Way Front Sport Seats w/Manual Lumbar Support
• 60-40 Folding Bench Front Facing Fold Forward Seatback Rear Seat
• Sensatec Leatherette Upholstery
• Tilt/Telescoping Sport Leather Steering Wheel
• Simulated Carbon Fiber Instrument Panel Insert w/Chrome Interior Accents
• Leatherette Gear Shifter Material

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The standard infotainment system is pretty basic and does not come along with many features and does not even get touchscreen functionality. But now with the 2021 update, there are many features that are now made available with the Clubman which include, the digital driver instrument panel, larger 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay compatibility, integrated navigation with real-time traffic updates, and a premium 12-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system. Some of the features in the 2021 Mini Clubman Cooper S Wagon are:

• 6.5-inch infotainment system
• 6-speaker audio system
• Satellite Radio Preparation
• Streaming Audio
• Voice Activation

There have been no aesthetic changes made to the Mini Clubman this year and therefore it still gets the iconic round LED headlights with the oval-shaped grille at the front that gets chrome treatment as standard and can be had with an optional piano black trim. The side profile is short and long which gives it the station wagon look and while 17-inch wheels are offered as standard, 18-inch alloys are available as an option. Mini also offers paint customization options to better spec the car as per personal preferences. 

No surprises in guessing that the Mini Clubman is the shortest, smallest, and narrowest wagon in the segment and hence has the lowest curb weight of them all. The Outback on the contrary is the largest of them all which justifies its spacious cabin and trunk space and its higher weight. It also offers the highest ground clearance here with the Volvo offering similar ride height. The A4 Allroad rides much lower than them while the Clubman has the lowest stance, that being said the shorter wheelbase of Mini means it doesn’t scrape its belly that often. Some of the features in the 2021 Mini Clubman Cooper S Wagon are:

• Automatic Self-Leveling LED Daytime Running LED Headlamps
• Cornering Lights and Front Fog Lamps
• Split Swing-Out Rear Cargo access and Lip Spoiler
• Speed Sensitive Rain Detecting Variable Intermittent Wipers w/Heated Jets
• Body-Colored Power Heated Side Mirrors
• Black Grille w/Chrome Surround
• Chrome Side Windows Trim, Front Windshield Trim, and Rear Window Trim
• 17-inch Vent Spoke Silver Alloy Wheels w/Runflat Tires

Though the Mini Clubman S isn’t the most expensive car out there, it doesn’t sell in large volumes. That’s probably why neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has crash-tested the Clubman in recent times. Also, there aren’t any modern-day safety features available as standard and needs to be opted separately with the $1,250 Driver Assistance Package to avail all the safety and driver assistance features. The available set of standard safety features have been listed below. Some of the features in the 2021 Mini Clubman Cooper S Wagon are:

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) And Driveline Traction Control
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front & Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
• Driver And Passenger Knee Airbag
• Curtain 1st And 2nd Row Airbags
• Rear Park Distance Control Rear Parking Sensors
• Back-Up Camera
• Low Tire Pressure Warning

2021 Mini Clubman Cooper S Wagon vs Audi A4 Allroad 45 TFSI

The Audi A4 Allroad features a unique mild hybrid system that isn’t seen in any station wagons at this price point. This makes it far quicker off the mark, is slightly more frugal and the Audi also has a much higher towing capacity than the Mini. While the Clubman offers more customization to both its cabin and exteriors, the A4 Allroad is far more spacious, has a long list of standard safety features and technology, and hence feels worth the higher investment.

2021 Mini Clubman Cooper S Wagon vs Subaru Outback XT

The Subaru Outback is the go-to station wagon for many American buyers for its superior off-road and higher towing capabilities. It is also quicker and slightly more efficient than the Mini and also has a much spacious cabin with class-leading cargo space. Mini offers more premium cabin materials and a much wider range of customization options. While the Mini is better around the twisties, the Outback does well in less-than-ideal conditions. 

2021 Mini Clubman Cooper S Wagon vs Volvo V60 T5

The Volvo is another product that offers a premium high-quality cabin that offers tons of modern features and creature comforts. Though the acceleration performance is on par with the Mini, it offers superior towing performance. The cabin space is on par with the Mini, but the cargo space is superior in the V60. The high stance of the V60 also helps it in off-road situations. 

The 2021 Mini Clubman Cooper S is a compact wagon that has a hint of sportiness and although that is a niche market to cater to, it has the traits that aren't available in any other vehicle. The cabin is premium built and offers plenty of customization options. Although many of the technology and safety features are available as only options as standard which means shelling out even more money, for which one could get a more practical wagon. If that's what you seek, then the 2021 Mini Clubman Cooper S wagon is the way to go.