Model tested: Mini Cooper S Clubman
Price: £19,345
Date tested: November 2007
Road tester: Stuart Milne

Overall rating: 89%
The Mini has been a massive hit since BMW introduced it in 2001; Stuart Milne got behind the wheel of the range-topping Cooper S to find out if the new Clubman is worthy of the hype.

1. Looks
From the front, the Clubman looks like any other Mini, but on the driver's side and rear, it's all about those doors. The rear doors are headturners, while the Clubman's rear opening 'suicide door' gets overlooked – until it's opened.
9/10

2. Looks inside
The Clubman's interior is largely the same as the hatchback Mini's. The chrome toggle switches at the bottom of the centre console look fantastic and the huge central speedo is a talking point.
8/10

3. Practicality
The Clubman isn't a proper estate, so don't expect a massive boot. The barn doors make loading objects easy and boot space varies between 260 and 930 litres. The blind spot created in the rear-view mirror by the rear barn doors was less of a problem than we'd predicted.
8/10

4. Ride and Handling
The Mini has plenty of admirers when it comes to handling, and if anything the Clubman is even better. It feels less prone to skipping across the road with its longer wheelbase and additional weight. The steering is responsive while the 'Sport Button', adds weight to the steering and sharpens the throttle response.
10/10

5. Performance
The Cooper S packs a revvy 175bhp, 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, to cover 0-62mph in just 7.6 seconds, before heading to a top speed of 139mph.
9/10

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6. Running Costs
The Cooper S we drove sits in insurance group 15, road tax is Band C (£115) fuel consumption is typically 44.8mpg.
8/10

7. Reliability
The Mini has been a reliable car since its 2001 launch, and the revisions in 2006 are unlikely to change this drastically. The car felt solid inside and out and up to BMW's usual standards.
9/10

8. Safety
The Mini hatchback scored five stars in EuroNCAP tests. Front, side and curtain airbags are standard; in a collision, the car deactivates the central locking, switch on the hazard warning lights and interior lighting, and deactivate the electric fuel pump. Electronic brake force distribution, ESP, traction control and cornering brake control are standard.
10/10

9. Equipment
Standard kit includes remote central locking, alloys, electric windows and mirrors, a six-speed gearbox and MP3-compatible CD player.
8/10

10. X-Factor
The Clubman takes all the standard Mini is loved for, adding practicality wrapped up in some truly headturning looks..
10/10