A recent trip to Las Vegas gave me the opportunity to see how the Mini Clubman handles the open road. Spending hours behind the wheel on long stretches of highway, mostly during inclement weather, gave me new appreciation for the not-so-mini Mini.
A particularly nasty storm rolled through Southern California the day my wife and I left for Vegas. We encountered heavy rain leaving L.A. and made it through the Cajon pass just before it closed due to flooding. Even though we made it out just in time, we had to ford through large puddles and contend with high winds. Whether the all-wheel drive was needed, it gave me peace of mind knowing that I had four driven wheels contacting the slippery pavement. Wind didn’t affect the Clubman as much as it has other compacts I’ve driven through the pass. You could hear the wind beating against the side of the car, but I didn’t have to fight the steering wheel to keep the car in its lane. That was one less thing to worry about on a road that’s treacherous even when there isn’t a huge storm overhead.
The Clubman ate up the 280 miles of relatively smooth highway between Long Beach and Las Vegas, getting us there in comfort. The ride is better than your standard Mini Hardtop, but rougher patches of road reveal that the suspension is still on the stiff side. On the highway, though, the longer wheelbase contributes to a smooth ride. I would occasionally get stuck behind a truck or Toyota Prius, so I was happy I had the Cooper S trim and its 189 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. The turbo spools up quickly at speed, and the boost it provides is welcome when you’re trying to pass a slower vehicle.
The Clubman only had to shuttle two people to Sin City this time, but four adults plus a weekend’s worth of luggage would have fit just fine. The cargo area can fit an average-sized carry-on bag lengthwise without putting the rear seats down. With those seats unoccupied, snacks and water could be stored within easy reach of the passenger seat. I like that the back seat is accessible through full-size rear doors instead of the half doors that were on the last Clubman. They make getting in and out much easier.
The Mini Clubman is the second-biggest Mini ever and is a better road-tripper for it. Expect to read about a longer-distance outing soon.
More on the Mini Clubman Cooper S ALL4 here:
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