The 2021 MINI Cooper Clubman is part of a generation that launched for the 2016 model year and was refreshed for 2020. This year, the manual transmission makes a return, making the Cooper Clubman more fun to drive for those who prefer three pedals. Though this MINI competes with subcompact and compact cars like the Volkswagen Golf, its premium pricing puts it almost in luxury car territory.

The Cooper Clubman is essentially an elongated MINI, with similar distinctive styling including a rounded front end, bright color options with contrasting trim, and upscale touches everywhere, such as rear lighting featuring a Union Jack design, sporty alloy wheel choices, and lots of options for customization, such as patterned roof and mirror cap choices.

The Cooper Clubman’s S, S All4, and John Cooper Works (JCW) models carry over. All three get a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The S and S All4 are rated for 189 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque, and the JCW model is tuned for 301 hp. S All4 and JCW models get all-wheel drive (AWD). A six-speed manual transmission now comes standard, a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (DCT) is available with the S, and an eight-speed automatic is available with the All4 and JCW. The base Cooper S is the most efficient of the bunch, and even then, it’s below average for the class, with 25 mpg city and 35 mpg highway.

The MINI Cooper Clubman’s trim levels correspond to the aforementioned powertrain configurations, and for the cabin, you get the choice of Classic, Signature, and Iconic interior packages. Standard features include synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, and LED lighting, and you can upgrade with features like leather upholstery in a variety of color combinations, sport seats, and a panoramic sunroof.

For infotainment tech, a 6.5-inch display, Bluetooth, and a USB port come standard. Buyers can upgrade to an 8.8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, navigation, wireless device charging, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon stereo.

This MINI has not been evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Standard features include rear parking sensors, and the Active Driving Assistant package, which bundles forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, and speed-limit information. Options include front parking sensors, parallel park assist, and a head-up display (HUD).

The MINI Cooper Clubman looks cool, as always, and it’s nice to see MINI giving the manual transmission another chance.