The 2022 MINI Cooper Clubman JCW comes in three trim levels, Classic, Signature and Iconic. The pricing starts at $39,500 for the Classic trim, $42,900 for the Signature trim and $47,400 for the Iconic trim. Standard features on the trims include LED headlights, Automatic wipers, Heated mirrors, Keyless entry and ignition, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Dual-zone climate control and heated and adjustable front seats.

The car also offers a few packages, but most of them are restricted to the Signature Trim. The Iconic trim gets all the features in the packages as standard. The trim and the offered packages are:

• Touchscreen Navigation Plus ($1,800): includes Enhanced USB and Bluetooth/Wireless charging, real-time traffic information, MINI Navigation, MINI connected XL, Apple CarPlay compatibility, MINI HUD and concierge services. This is offered on both the trim levels, Classic and Signature.

Signature Trim packages:

• Driver Assistance ($1,250): includes MINI HUD, Active Cruise Control and Parking Assistant
• Premium ($2,000): includes 40/20/40 Split Rear Seat, standard exterior trim and an universal garage door opener
• Signature Upholstery ($1,000): includes leather cross punch carbon black interiors
• Black/Red Sport Stripes ($250): adds sport stripes in black or red on the exterior.

We Recommend

The 2022 MINI Cooper Clubman JCW Signature trim is the most balanced car. It has everything the Classic offers, and adds extra features on top of that. You also get the option of choosing packages if required, which is very limited on the Classic trim. The Signature trim will cost $3,400 over the Classic trim. 

Release Date

The 2022 MINI Cooper Clubman JCW production began in March, and hit the dealerships by late April.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Clubman JCW comes with the same engine seen on the 2021 model. The 2.0L MINI TwinPower turbocharged I-4 engine makes 301 hp @ 6250 rpm and has a torque output of 331 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm. This engine is coupled to an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The car uses MINI’s ALL4 All-wheel drive system as standard. 

The handling of the 2022 MINI Cooper Clubman JCW is not as was expected. For a JCW, the handling has worsened from a Clubman. The standard Clubman’s long wheelbase and a soft suspension was excellent at handling bumps and undulations, but the JCW’s stiff setup has hardened things a lot. The ride quality is not smooth at all, with road irregularities felt in the cabin. Yes, the car is composed, but it comes at that price. Even the AWD does not change that feel much. The engine and gearbox combination works great, and we have no complaints there. The 2022 MINI Cooper Clubman JCW comes with an electric power steering . This steering is heavy, but its precise and quick to turn as well. Around corners, there is some torque steer as well. The car gets JCW Sports suspension with McPhearson struts at the front and a multi-link setup at the rear. All in all, the experience is not very satisfying and could use some more refinement. The car comes with 3 driving modes- Sport, Mid and Green. It also gets Dynamic cruise control with braking function.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Clubman JCW is expected to have the similar performance figures and the same kind of acceleration as seen on the 2021 model. The JCW touches the 0-60 mph mark in 4.8 seconds, and covers the quarter-mile run in 13.6 seconds. The top speed stands at 155 mph.

*speculated specs ^2021 figures used 
The 2022 Volkswagen Golf R is the most expensive car in this lot, and also produces the most power between these three cars. All the three cars get a similar 2.0L turbocharged engine. The Civic Type R makes the most torque at 395 lb-ft, but the Clubman JCW’s torque kicks in earlier. The best 0-60 mph time is from the Golf R, at 4.5 seconds, with the least quarter-mile time as well, at 13 seconds. The JCW comes in next with its 4.8 seconds time, but is beaten by the Civic in the quarter-mile by 0.1 second at 13.6 seconds. The Civic completes the 0-60 mph run in 5 seconds. Also, the Civic is the only car in this comparo that uses a FWD setup with a manual gearbox. This has helped the Civic get a better top speed of 169 mph, compared to the 155 mph top speeds on the Golf R and the JCW.

The fuel economy on the 2022 MINI Cooper Clubman JCW is expected to remain the same as last year. The car’s fuel economy stands at 23 mph in the city, 29 mpg on the highway and 25 mph combined. The car has a fuel capacity of 13.2 gallons. This fuel economy is actually decent by terms of the segment, and the cars it goes up against.

*speculated specs ^2021 figures used
In comparison with the rivals, the three cars come very close in terms of fuel economy. However, the best combined economy is offered on the Civic and the Clubman JCW, at 25 mpg followed by the Golf at 24 mpg. The best city mileage is offered by the Clubman at 23 mpg, where the most highway mileage is delivered by the JCW and the Golf R at 29 mpg. In terms of fuel capacity, the Civic has the least at 12.4 gallons and the Golf R has the most at 14.5 gallons. This has given the Golf R a combined range of 348 miles, 18 miles more than the JCW at 330 miles. The Civic offers the least, at 310 miles. The Golf R also has the most city mileage at 319 miles, and the most highway mileage at 420 miles. The Civic offers the least.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Clubman JCW’s interiors are very well done, and pretty spacious as well. The materials could use some improvements, as they do not feel as luxurious as they should. The layout of the JCW is very unique, and one soon forgets about the quality concern with the aircraft-style switches and the loads of circular dials/screens. Instrument cluster; Circular. Infotainment unit; circular. Steering wheel: Circular. Knobs, buttons, selector: all circular. This is a lot of in the face stuff, that takes a while getting used to. The controls however are well-placed and easy to use as well.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Clubman JCW is a five-seater car. There is a lot of visibility from this cabin, thanks to the upright windows. The boxy-design devotes a lot of headroom, and there’s loads of shoulder room as well. The legroom at the front or even at the rear can seem a little compromised, because it actually is. Apart from the slight discomforts, the support from the seats is excellent, and there is a lot of adjustability as well. What destroys your experience is the ride quality, that transmits everything to the passengers like a painful massage. A compromise for the performance, you see.

The storage space is limited as well. There is space at the front under the armrest, some cup holders and decently sized door pockets. But this is not much, as the competition does a better job. There are a lot of options to choose for the interior seats and the trim color, but these are trim specific and do cost extra. The MINI Lounge leather upholstery costs $2,250. The standalone options are also very trim specific, and have been listed at the end of the interior section.

*speculated specs ^2021 figures used
In terms of interior space, the Clubman JCW offers the most headroom, as well as the most legroom in the front. The Civic offers the most shoulder room in the front. The second row is most spacious in the Civic, offering the most shoulder-room and legroom. The Golf R offers the most headroom. However, the Civic is a four seater car, whereas the other two cars can seat up to 5 people.

The standard cargo capacity is the most in Civic at 25.7 cu-ft, whereas the Golf comes in second with a cargo capacity of 22.8 cu-ft. The MINI has the least, at 12.7 cu-ft. Even in wagon terms, this much space is tiny. The most cargo space is in the Golf R, when you fold down the second row. The capacity stands at 52.7 cu-ft. The Civic offers the second best cargo space at 46.2 cu-ft. Some of the interior features on the 2022 MINI Cooper Clubman JCW are:

• 8-way adjustable front seats
• JCW sport seats
• Interior air filtration
• Dual-zone climate control
• Tilt-and-Telescopic steering wheel
• Compass
• Remote keyless entry and ignition
• Roof rails (opt) ($250)

How intuitive is the car’s infotainment unit?

The 2022 MINI Cooper Clubman JCW’s infotainment system is similar to the one seen on the Standard Clubman. All trims now get an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment unit that is easy-to-use and very simple as well. There is a lot of BMW-influence on the MINI’s unit, and we like it. Standard features include SiriusXM, Radio, HDMI, Aux and USB ports, Bluetooth,etc. The optional Touchscreen Navigation Plus package is a must for the Classic and Signature trims. Its contents come as standard on the Iconic trim. Some of the highlights of the infotainment system are:

• 8.8-inch touchscreen
• Bluetooth
• Navigation
• SiriusXM
• Navigation
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Satellite Radio

The 2022 MINI Cooper Clubman JCW gets no changes to its exterior design. This wagon has a boxy look, with a sporty touch thanks to the JCW cosmetics. The car sits very close to the ground, and the width gives it a very unique design line. The front of the car is like most MINIs, with the round LED headlamps and the mouth-like grille. The grille features the JCW tag as well. The grille actually pops out of the car, and one look from the side confirms that as well. The lower part of the front bumper features air inlets that direct air towards the engine region. The side shows the short roof height, which carries a slight taper towards the end. The dual 5-spoke rims look stunning, but the wheel arches look somewhat huge on a car of this size. 

The rear portrays the unique oval LED tail lights with the different rear boot door, that opens wide like a split door would. You have a dual exhaust setup at the bottom, finishing the sporty look. All in all, the design, especially from the rear, might not appeal to all. The dimensions of the 2022 MINI Cooper Clubman JCW are quite compact, yet it makes for a spacious cabin.

*speculated specs ^2021 figures used
The 2022 MINI Cooper Clubman JCW is the heaviest car among these three, at 3600 lbs. The Civic is super light, at just 3118 lbs. Talking of proportions, the length on the Civic is the longest at 179 inches, with the Golf R coming in second spot at 168.9 inches. It's just 0.9 inches longer than the MINI. In terms of width, it's the Civic Type R again with the most width at 73.9 inches. The other two are 3 inches narrower. The Civic has the least height at 56.5 inches, with the most height on the Golf R at 57.4 inches. The Golf R’s wheelbase is the tightest at 103.5 inches. The Civic has the longest wheelbase at 106.3 inches, whereas the MINI sits at 105.1 inches. Some exterior features on the 2022 MINI Cooper Clubman JCW are:

• LED headlamps and taillights
• 18-inch 5-spoke wheels
• Sunroof
• Sport tuned suspension
• JCW styling with a roof mounted spoiler
• Dual Exhaust system

The 2022 MINI Cooper Clubman JCW comes loaded with a ton of safety features to make this car as safe as it can be. The features are expected to remain similar to the 2021 features. The 2022 MINI Cooper Clubman JCW comes standard with airbags, traction control, stability control, tire pressure warning, rear child safety locks and other active features as well. The car is based on the BMW UKL2 platform, designed to provide smaller cars with better interior space while not compromising on the safety and rigidity. The 2022 MINI Cooper Clubman JCW gets additional chassis bracing to improve the stiffness as well. Neither the NHTSA nor has the IIHS safety rated the 2021 MINI Cooper Clubman JCW. Some of the safety features on the MINI are:

• 8-airbags
• Rear-view camera
• Lane Departure warning
• Forward Collision warning
• Tire Pressure Warning system
• Active Cruise Control (opt)
• Parking Assistant (opt)
• Alarm System (opt) ($500)

2022 MINI Cooper Clubman JCW vs 2022 Volkswagen Golf R

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf R returns after a short break from the year 2019. The updated Golf R will feature a 315 hp engine that is slightly more powerful than the MINI’s engine. The Golf R is a better handler than the MINI JCW packs in the thrill of driving a hot hatch. Both the cars are similar in terms of fuel efficiency as well.

Volkswagen’s plans to stop selling the regular Golf hatchback and station wagon leaves only the GTI and R versions that the States gets. This also indirectly means that the R’s pricing will be on the higher side, around $44,000. 

2022 MINI Cooper Clubman JCW vs 2022 Honda Civic Type R

The 2022 Honda Civic Type R will sport a better look that is more traditional in shape and design. It is lighter, packs in a powerful engine but is slower than the JCW. The Civic offers the most fuel economy as well. The interiors on the Clubman JCW have the upper hand against the Civic Type R.

The 2022 Honda Civic Type R is expected to get a redesign for 2022; and will be powered by a more powerful turbocharged 2.0L engine. It is also expected to get refreshed interiors. This raises the competition levels higher than ever, and we believe that the new Civic might just out do the Clubman overall.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Clubman JCW packs in a rigid chassis, with a great engine and top interiors. Although it has not yet been safety rated, it packs in some advanced safety features and some optional safety features that need to be made standard. The car’s main drawback is the ride quality, which does get troublesome after a while. However, there are not many performance oriented sport wagons in this price point, and when you look at everything the Clubman JCW offers, it's fair enough to say that this car is worth picking up.