The adorable Mini Cooper isn’t so mini anymore.

The 2016 Mini Clubman is fully redesigned and no longer a mere stretched-out Mini Cooper hatchback. Ten inches longer and 3 inches wider than the Cooper, the Clubman is now more like a shrunken delivery truck and even has double doors in the rear that swing open with the push of a button or swipe of a foot.

But fear not, Mini maniacs. Most of the qualities that brought you to Mini – quirky features like toggle switches and colorful, circular dashboard lights and tons of options too customize – are still there. In fact, Mini boasts that there are 10 million variations of the Clubman when you mix and match all the options.

The Clubman is somewhat international: It’s built in the United Kingdom, its engine is German and the transmission is from Japan.

It’s not quite as much fun to drive as the smaller Minis, but the Clubman – MSRP: $24,100; as tested, $32,750 – is comfortable on the open road while still nimble enough around town. Its wide stance, tight suspension and optional dynamic damper control enhance its agility and keep it flat on corners.

Plus, steering feedback is good and road feel is decent, too. After all, this does have the DNA of a BMW.

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Power comes from the same engines as in the regular Cooper. In the base-level Clubman is a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline 3-cylinder engine that gets 134 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. The Cooper S gets a gamer 2.0-liter inline four, also turbocharged, good for 189 horses and 207 pound-feet of pull.

The bigger engine is the way to go as it gets to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds, a full two seconds faster than the base. The extra oomph doesn’t hurt either when you consider that this Mini weighs a maximum 3,100 pounds. An eight-speed automatic in the S version distributes power smoothly to the front wheels, but all-wheel-drive is available, too.

The Clubman is a bit less efficient than its sport hatchback foes like the VW GTI and Ford Focus. EPA mileage figures come in at 24 mpg city, 34 highway with a combined average of 27 mpg.

The Clubman cabin is a step up from the Mini, with high-quality materials and a more reasonably designed center console. The fun components are all there, too, like the toggles and the giant LED-lit circle in the center that can be personalized with your favorite colors. In the Clubman, the LED encircles the infotainment screen or a large tachometer if you choose the manual transmission.

The infotainment system works like BMW’s iDrive, not surprisingly, has crisp graphics on its optional 8-inch display and is easy to use.

Sport seats are comfortable and supportive and have adjustable thigh support.

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The upholstery looks good and most would not realize it is fake leather. Some nice leather options are available, however.

Head- and leg-room is sufficient up front, but the real beneficiaries to the bigger Clubman are those seated in the roomy rear seats. Six-footers will be plenty comfortable, and big rear doors make access easier, too. Cargo space behind them is just OK with 17.5 cubic feet, but fold down the rear seats and you get an impressive 48 cubes. Rear visibility is hampered by the twin windows and rear headrests.

High-tech safety features, for the most part, are optional on the Clubman.

Available are rear-view camera, rear parking sensors, forward collision warning and mitigation, and automatic braking. An automatic parallel parking system is available, too, if this Clubman is just too big to handle.

Clubman comes in base and S versions, with the latter getting the bigger engine, 17-inch wheels instead of 16, and snazzier styling details. But it’s the broad array of Mini options that folks will love, though they’ll have to control themselves or reach deep into their pockets.

Just for starters, options include an assortment of wheel designs, two-tone paint, rear spoiler, panoramic sunroof, wide hood stripes and fog lights, front and rear.

For those who love the Mini’s lively personality but needed more space, consider joining the Clubman.


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