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Review of the 2009 Mini Cooper Clubman

2009 Mini Cooper Clubman

Starting Price $20,200

suitable for: Diapers
School
Teens

25 to 28
City MPG

34 to 37
Hwy MPG

4 Seats
2 Rows
2 Latch Connectors
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Exterior

There’s no denying the Clubman’s cute factor. It’s not cute like a puppy falling asleep in its food bowl; it’s a more sophisticated version of cute, like a beautiful Italian man who just happens to be pint-sized. It’s a perfect blend of grown-up sexy and cute, if such a thing exists. The Clubman’s extended length elongates the lines of the Mini, making it look more adult. However, after meeting a friend for dinner, he exclaimed, “What is that? A Mini station wagon?” Somehow, I don’t think “station wagon” is the look Mini is after.

The clubdoor — a reverse-hinged half-door (again, totally toy-like) — on the passenger side makes the Clubman so much more usable, especially for families with kids climbing in and out multiple times per day. However, opening both the regular door and the clubdoor was tricky for my girls. The door handle’s trigger-pull mechanism constantly baffled my kids. They would accidentally touch the autolock sensor button, locking the car door rather than opening it. Also, the angle of the clubdoor’s semi-circle-shaped interior door handle made it difficult for my kids to operate it from the inside, requiring me to reach over from the driver’s seat to let them out of the car for school dropoffs.

The cargo doors are also unique, with two halves that open to the sides. I love the usability of these swing-out doors, and with a slight tug on the handle, the doors open fully on their own. However, from the inside, the center seam of the cargo doors proved to be initially distracting to me. I eventually got over it.

SENSE AND STYLE

Family Friendly (Not Really, Fair, Great, Excellent): Great
Fun-Factor (None, Some, Good Times, Groove-On): Good Times

shopping around: At cars.com

key exterior: Features

    ● Clubdoor
    ● Split swing-out rear cargo doors
    ● Chrome door handles
    ● Rear wing spoiler

available exterior: Colors

  • Astro Black Metallic
  • British Racing Green Metallic
  • Chili Red
  • Horizon Blue Metallic
  • Hot Chocolate Metallic
  • Lightning Blue Metallic
  • Mellow Yellow
  • Midnight Black Metallic
  • Nightfire Red Metallic
  • Pepper White
  • Pure Silver Metallic
  • Sparkling Silver Metallic

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