2023 Mini John Cooper Works Clubman

For those who want all the fun that a sprightly little Mini can offer but also occasionally need to be an adult, the 2023 Mini John Cooper Works Clubman is a perfect compromise - at least on paper. It has a potent turbo-four engine under the hood that makes 301 horsepower and 331-lb-ft of torque and a standard all-wheel drivetrain that, together, enables some truly athletic handling for a car this size. And speaking of dimensions, these models are quite a bit larger since this is technically a wagon, giving you more rear passenger and cargo space to work with. This odd mix of qualities makes it hard to find a direct competitor, but the Kia Soul also stands out for its unique look. The regular Mini JCW Hardtop might steal some attention, too, at least in terms of performance.

There are little more than cosmetic changes for the new Mini John Cooper Works Clubman. You can choose the limited Untold Edition, which is technically an appearance package with most of the Iconic sub-trim's features plus a few unique styling bits to help it stand out. New for 2023, the Driver Assistance Package has gained park assist and a head-up display but lost active cruise control. The latter is now a standalone option.

The price of the 2023 Mini John Cooper Works Clubman reflects its position at the top of the lineup, with sportier styling and a stronger engine bumping the MSRP up to $39,500. This excludes the $995 destination charge. Of course, this is just for the Classic sub-trim, and opting for the Signature will add $4,750, and the Iconic will cost you an extra $8,350. The new Untold Edition is the most expensive option at $9,200 above the base price. However, it doesn't add anything worth the price, and there will likely be another special edition next year.

Instead, we'd suggest going for the mid-range Signature, which upgrades the wagon with heated front seats, navigation, and a panoramic moonroof. You can also choose better upholstery or opt to stand out with a multi-tone roof.

Traditional Mini styling is evident throughout the cabin, with large, circular dials under a massive circular recess that houses the infotainment screen. The instrument gauges are naturally round, too. The steering wheel is big and chunky - just begging you to grab hold and go wild with it. There aren't many controls on the wheel, but then again, there aren't many features either, so the knobs and buttons all fit quite easily on the lower part of the center console. Luckily, you can add some extra gadgets and even upgrade the materials to something a bit more premium if you so choose. Overall the Mini gives a premium feel while still offering a snug and personable cabin.

Despite being classified as a wagon, the JCW Clubman is still somewhat tight on interior space by virtue of its size - it may be on the bigger end of the spectrum in the Mini stable, but it's still a Mini. It has five seats, so it can technically hold that many people, but the second row is a bit low on legroom. Luckily, headroom is good, even if you opt for the panoramic moonroof. Many passengers will still have to slouch a bit.

The low height doesn't help with outward visibility and taller drivers will have to duck down to see road signs and traffic lights, and the thick C-pillars can create some large blind spots. The seats offer good support for those up front, but the large bolsters can make it tricky for them to enter the car, too.

While passengers may not get a whole lot of extra room, the cargo space is increased quite significantly. The trunk measures 17.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, which is pretty darn good for a Mini, though it pales in comparison to something like a Kia Soul, which can fit 24.2 cubes. If you fold down the rear seats of the JCW Clubman, you'll get access to 47.9 cubes. This is far more competitive for the segment, and it may be a better use for the space than passengers.

There is sufficient small-item storage around the cabin for most knick-knacks, including large door pockets at all four corners, a spacious glove compartment, and an accommodating cubby under the center armrest. There are two cupholders in the front, but none in the rear, and there is a small bin large enough for a phone in front of the gear shifter.

The materials used throughout the interior of the Mini JCW Clubman are good, but you wouldn't be faulted for expecting better from BMW. Leatherette or Dinamca are the standard options, with Carbon Black being the only scheme available. This is paired with Piano Black interior trim. The Signature sub-trim gives you the same leatherette option but also a leatherette/cloth combo in Pearl Black. With the Mini Yours Lounge upgrade, you get higher quality leather, but it requires spending $500 over the $1,000 Signature Upholstery package when buying the Classic. Cross Punch Leather is also available at this point, in Carbon Black, or Chesterfield Leather in Indigo Blue, Malt Brown, and Lth Satellite Grey. You can also swap out the regular trim for Illuminated Piano Black or Fiber Alloy trim. All of these packages are included as standard at the Iconic level, giving you the most options at a lower added cost.

Though it may hail from the halls of BMW, the Mini JCW Clubman is not an ultra-luxurious product laden with high-tech equipment. You can definitely feel the German DNA under the hood, but elsewhere, the little car feels lacking. This is most evident in its very short list of standard features, which include dual-zone climate control, cruise control, heated front seats, a heated leather steering wheel, and an 8.8-inch touchscreen display. This is programmed with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, and SiriusXM, all channeled through a six-speaker sound system. Luckily, you can upgrade through sub-trims and packages, unlocking eight-way power-adjustable front seats with memory, a panoramic moonroof, navigation, a wireless charger, adaptive cruise control, and a head-up display. There is also a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system on offer.

Powered by a BMW-sourced 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the Mini JCW Clubman has an impressive 301 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque on tap. A smart-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission ensures you always have the right gear to get the most out of the powertrain, and outputs are sent to all four wheels to maximize grip. Unsurprisingly, all of this combines to deliver a truly exhilarating driving experience. For starters, the Mini John Cooper Works Clubman can zip from 0-60 mph in just 4.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph, though it could likely go even faster without the limiter.

Steering is exactly what you'd expect from a Mini. The chunky wheel feels great in your hands and gains weight as you accelerate. If you feel that the automatic isn't shifting as smartly as you'd like, there are paddle shifters. Sadly, the steering doesn't provide as much feedback as one might like from a car designed for fun and spirited driving, and the fact that there is no option to send more than half the power to the rear wheels limits your ability to slide the JCW around corners. Still, for a go-fast station wagon, it's easily one of the best we've ever had a chance to drive. Unfortunately, all this focus on performance leaves it wanting in terms of comfort, which is usually a strong point in wagons. The suspension is stiff and bumps easily make their way into the cabin, but road and wind noise are mostly kept at bay by the solid construction quality.

Fun cars are seldom practical or frugal, so the 2023 JCW Clubman's mediocre gas mileage shouldn't surprise anyone. Luckily, its size works in its favor and it achieves 23/31/26 mpg across the city/highway/combined cycles. But the fuel capacity is quite low - just 13.2 gallons - so the Mini can only travel a maximum of 343 miles before needing to find a gas station.

The NHTSA has not performed a safety review of the Mini John Cooper Works Clubman in half a decade, and the IIHS has tested other models in the range, but not the Clubman.

You get all the standard mechanical safety features like ABS, stability and traction control, and a total of eight airbags, which is above average. But advanced driver assistance tech is limited to a rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, and rear parking sensors. These can be further bolstered with optional park assist and front parking sensors.

The Mini John Cooper Works Clubman has good reliability expectations, thanks to a J.D. Power rating of 81 out of 100 for the Clubman range in the USA. The car has only been recalled once in recent years, specifically in 2023, for a fault with the electrical system.

However, the warranty for the Mini John Cooperworks Clubman is average, covering four years/50,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper and powertrain issues. You also get complimentary scheduled maintenance for the first three years/36,000 miles.

There is no denying that the Minis are a British legend, despite the fact that it now falls under the German brand BMW. The classic cartoonish face is easily recognizable up front with big round LED headlights and an almost surprised-looking grille low down on the front bumper. There is plenty of gloss black surrounding exterior elements, and around the headlights it makes them pop out almost like clown makeup. As critical as this all sounds, we are actually huge fans, and the nostalgia is undeniable. The car's heritage is clearly displayed on the rear end, with Union Jack LED taillights, and there are dual-exit exhausts below that promise this Mini knows how to party. The barn-door tailgate is unique. As standard, the JCW Clubman spins a set of 18-inch wheels. You can also have a panoramic sunroof equipped if you like.

Recommending the Mini JCW Clubman is not a small ask, considering the price. But finding another wagon out there that is this much fun to drive and is this unique is practically impossible. For this reason, it's not a car you buy with your head but rather your gut, which you'll feel bouncing around when you put your foot down. Purely as a wagon, it doesn't impress since it lacks passenger space and the trunk is merely adequate. Ride comfort is subpar, too. But the driving experience can't be faulted, and there is also the fact that Mini is a premium badge with a storied history. This makes it a little easier to overlook the bad and focus on what it does right. So long as you're willing to accept the overall impracticality of the JCW Clubman, it's a great and fun car.