2019 MINI Clubman Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

Trying to find a compact car with available all-wheel drive and precision handling is typically a lot easier said than done. The vehicles in this segment generally are not that strictly focused on providing the utmost in powerful performance features. The 2019 MINI Clubman turns all of those standards around and gives the market a compact car that puts in a solid performance.

This model year, there is a total of five different models in the Clubman line-up: the base Cooper, the Cooper S, the Cooper All4, the Cooper S All4, and the John Cooper Works All4. With a starting MSRP of $24,900 on the base Cooper model, these compact vehicles are definitely affordable. And, given how many features get packed into them when you add one of the three trim levels (the Classic, Signature, and Iconic), they all make for a pretty sweet deal.

But which model and trim level is the sweetest deal of them all? Which model and trim level pairing has all the features that you need without inundating you with functions you will never use? Which one has the best driving performance? Let us take a deeper look at the 2019 MINI Clubman models and trim levels. By the end of this comparison review, you should have a clearer idea of which Clubman model and trim pairing will best suit your needs.

Compare the 2019 MINI Clubman Cooper vs Cooper S. What is the difference?

The Clubman's base model is known as the Cooper. As you might be able to guess, the Cooper S is its Sport version. Therefore, you are well within reason to assume that these two models have a lot in common. All of the models in this year's line-up are six-door models capable of seating five adults. The Cooper comes equipped with a 1.5-L twin-turbo powered 3-cylinder engine that is capable of generating 134 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. A 6-speed manual transmission comes standard, but you can opt to equip a 6-speed automatic transmission instead.

Unfortunately, speed is not the 1.5-L engine's forte. On both the manual and automatic transmissions, the Cooper only gets from 0 to 60 mph in about 8.9 seconds. This is a relatively sluggish acceleration speed for a small compact car. However, you do get a better fuel efficiency from the Cooper than you do from any of the other Clubman models. The Cooper gets a combined 28 mpg on the manual and 27 combined mpg on the automatic transmission. Each model shares a 13.2-gallon fuel tank.

As for the Cooper's dimensions, it has a curb weight of 3,105 on the manual and 3,160 on the automatic. Like all of the other models, it is 168.3 inches long, 70.9 inches wide (79.6 inches if you count both side mirrors), 56.7 inches in height, and has a wheelbase of 105.1 inches. Leg room up front measures in at 41.4 inches while rear seat passengers get 34.3 inches. There are 40.2 inches of head room up front and a solid 38 inches in the rear. The trunk's volume is 17.5 cubic feet, but this can be maximized to 47.9 cubic feet when you fold the rear seats down.

The Cooper S is, as a Sport vehicle, equipped with a stronger powertrain than the base Cooper. The Cooper S gets a 2.0-L twin-turbo 4-cylinder engine that produces 189 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. A 6-speed manual transmission comes standard, but if you upgrade, you get a nice 8-speed automatic sport transmission. Of course, this powertrain means that the Cooper S can accelerate at a much quicker rate. It gets from 0 to 60 mph in 7.0 seconds on the manual and 6.9 seconds on the automatic transmission. Of course, this means that fuel efficiency takes a hit. The vehicle's fuel economy drops to 25 mpg combined on the manual and 27 mpg combined on the automatic transmission.

Compare the 2019 Clubman Cooper S vs Cooper All4. What is the difference?

The next model available in the 2019 MINI Clubman line-up is the Cooper All4. This is the all-wheel drive variant of the base Cooper. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that this model shares the same 1.5-L 3-cylinder engine as the Cooper. The Cooper All4 has a starting MSRP of $2,000 more than the Cooper and gets the same horsepower and torque. A 6-speed automatic transmission comes standard, but you can upgrade to an 8-speed automatic.

Unfortunately, with the sluggish 1.5-L engine and extra 265 pounds of weight, the Cooper All4 is the slowest (and frustratingly so) model in this line-up. It takes this model 9.2 seconds to get from 0 to 60 mph on the 6-speed, and the 8-speed takes 9.3 seconds. This is an underwhelming performance, to say the least.

Compare the Clubman Cooper All4 vs Cooper S All4. What is the difference?

If you really want to speed things up, you get a much better performance from the Cooper S All4. This model is equipped with the same 2.0-L engine that comes on the Cooper S, and it gives you the standard 6-speed manual transmission (with the 8-speed automatic sport being optional). This gives the Cooper S All4 the same 189 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque that comes on the Cooper S. The Cooper S All4 has no problem getting from 0 to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds on the manual transmission and 6.6 seconds on the automatic sport.

Compare the Clubman Cooper S All4 vs John Cooper Works All4. What is the difference?

At the top of the 2019 MINI Clubman line-up is the extra powerful John Cooper Works All4. This model has a starting MSRP that is $11,000 above that of the base Cooper, but it really packs a strong punch. It is powered by an upgraded Valvetronic version of the 2.0-L 4-cylinder twin-turbo that comes on the Cooper S and Cooper S All4. Together with either the standard 6-speed manual transmission or the 8-speed sport automatic that comes with shift paddles, the John Cooper Works All4 garners a solid 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.

It is also the fastest model in the line-up, as it can get from 0 to 60 mph in 6 seconds flat on either the automatic or manual transmission. Fuel efficiency is the same as it is on the Cooper S All4, getting 24 mpg combined on the manual or 26 combined mpg on the automatic.

Compare the 2019 Clubman Classic vs Signature Trims. What is the difference?

Now, we come to the three different trim levels that you can equip on any of the Clubman models. The base trim is known as the Classic. On this trim, you get four exterior color options (Midnight Black, Pepper White, Chili Red, and Moonwalk Grey). The mirror caps and roof are both body colored, and you can add white or black stripes to the bonnet. There are also roof rails and a rear fog light available. The Classic comes with standard 16-inch alloy wheels.

On the inside, you get gorgeous ambient lighting to help you see throughout the cabin when it is dark. The front seats are heated for your convenience, and Carbon Black leatherette is used to upholster the seats. The interior surface is colored in Hazy Grey, and the Classic comes with a multi-functional leather sport steering wheel.

As far as multimedia and safety features go, you get a good amount of both. There are rear park distance control, a rearview camera, a 6.5-inch touchscreen display, and SiriusXM Satellite Radio onnectivity.

Of course, you should expect even more from the mid-level Signature trim. This trim level adds three body color options (White Silver, Pure Burgundy, and Melting Silver). You also get a panoramic sunroof and your option of equipping white or black mirror caps and a matching roof. Again, you get the roof rails and white or black stripes for the bonnet. While 16-inch Loop Spoke silver alloy wheels come equipped, you can choose to equip 17-inch Silver Vent Spoke or 17-inch Black Net Spoke alloy wheels. All-season tires and a space-saver spare tire come equipped as well.

On the inside, the Signature adds on the Signature Upholstery Package. The rear seat becomes a 40/20/40 folding seat, and an anthracite headliner also gets thrown into the mix. If the Hazy Grey surface isn't to your liking, you can equip the cabin with Piano Black surfaces instead.

On the technological end, you get the Driver Assistant Package and the Touchscreen Navigation Package added on. There is also an Active Driving Assistant feature that comes on the Signature. Also, an anti-theft alarm system comes with the vehicle. There is a universal garage door opener built into the cockpit of the cabin, and it comes with a compass attached.

Compare the 2019 Clubman Signature vs Iconic Trims. What is the difference?

On the line-topping Iconic trim, you get a few more noteworthy upgrades. On the outside, you receive one more body color option (Lapisluxury Blue). You also get the option to upgrade to either 18-inch Silver or Black Star Spoke wheels or 18-inch MINI Yours Masterpiece Wheels. LED headlights with cornering lights also come standard on the Iconic trim.

The interior gets upgraded to sport seats, and you get a few more upholstery options as well. You can select from leather/cloth Carbon Black Cord, leatherette/cloth Black Pearl, cross punch leather Pure Burgundy or Carbon Black, Chesterfield leather in Indigo Blue, Satellite Grey lounge leather, and Carbon Black MINI Yours lounge leather. There is also chrome interior trim liner available if you want it.

An 8.8-inch touchscreen display gets swapped in. Along with this, you get compatibility with Apple CarPlay, so you can integrate apps from your iPhone into your vehicle. Android Auto, however, is not available.

Final Thoughts

The 2019 MINI Clubman is loaded with configuration options, so you can basically customize the model you want to fit your needs. The model we would recommend investing your hard-earned money in is the Cooper S or the Cooper S All4. When you add the Iconic trim onto either one, you get one well-rounded compact car for a reasonable price.