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cabin offers the most rear-seat legroom, as well as an
impressive theatre-style view and terrific all-round
vision for a Mini. And the Clubman sits a class above
in its finish and features. Four auto-up/down power
windows, dual front lumbar support adjustment, a
removable/configurable boot floor, plus two elasticised
boot straps and bins in the rear barn doors prove that
you get what you pay for in a Mini Clubman.
It also – wait for it – rides well. Wearing 225/45R17
Bridgestone Turanzas, the Clubman is firm but all of
a piece, with a comforting, rattle-free solidity. There’s
some coarse-surface tyre noise but otherwise the
Clubman sits right at the pointy end when it comes
to accommodation.
Thankfully, the 500X experience improves greatly
with a load, allowing occupants to actually enjoy the
expansive view, though its lateral movement and tyre
noise are the worst of the group and so is its rear seat,
despite offering loads of headroom. The seat cushion
is a bit hard, but it’s the backrest that breaks the deal,
with a convex shape that pushes you outwards and a
red vinyl upper section that feels clammy between
your shoulder blades.
All of which ultimately spells ‘wooden spoon’ for the
500X. While far from being a total dunger, it looks and
feels a bit like a Fiat designed for Americans, lacking
the design subtlety to match its punchy, likeable
drivetrain. The 500X is missing both the regular 500’s
fun and the Citroen Cactus’s panache, though improved
seating and a comprehensive dynamic rethink could
turn things around. But as it stands we can understand
why people might prefer a Jeep Renegade...
Unless you’re completely invested in the Fiat’s
appearance, the more generic Vitara S Turbo is a much
stronger proposition, blending gutsy performance with
surprising efficiency and the obvious USP of all-wheel
drive among this quirky quartet. It can be fun to drive,
too, and offers an interesting mix of colours and trims
to make up for its budget plastics and econocar basics.
But it doesn’t feel special like the Cactus does.
From its high-design interior details to its
exceptional feeling of space and striking exterior,
the C4 Cactus is the first affordable Citroen in
forever to really seem gloriously weird. Light, frugal,
comfortable and enjoyable to drive, besides its obvious
visual appeal the highlight of the Cactus is that
brilliant engine with its towering tractability and fine
personality. Thing is, all that design deliciousness rides
on PSA’s decade-old PF1 platform, not the newer EMP2
design afforded Peugeot’s excellent 308, and that’s the
blueprint the Cactus sets for Citroen’s future; avant-
garde design disguising proven mechanicals beneath.
Here’s hoping this philosophy continues to work.
One thing that works to a surprising degree is Mini’s
Clubman. While its biggest design feature – those
barn rear doors – is ironically its biggest flaw in terms
of practicality, there’s a cohesion to this car that few
modern Minis have managed to achieve. In fact, slightly
awkward styling aside, we reckon this is the best Mini
since the brand’s 2001 relaunch. And, in fine Mini
tradition, it continues to deliver something the others
can’t – choice. Manual or automatic, petrol or diesel,
slow or fast, subtle or sinister, there’s a quirky, unique
Clubman out there for everyone.CITROENC4CACTUS FIAT 500X POP STAR MINICOOPERCLUBMAN SUZUKIVITARASTURBO
Performance
Power-to-weight: 76kW per tonne
Redline/cut-out: 6500/6500rpm
Speed at indicated 100km/h: 95
Speed in gears
47km/h @ 6500rpm
84km/h @ 6500rpm
136km/h @ 6500rpm
185km/h @ 6500rpm
205km/h @ 5380rpm*
205km/h @ 4250rpm*
Standing-start acceleration
0-20km/h: 1.2sec
0-40km/h: 2.4sec
0-60km/h: 4.4sec
0-80km/h: 6.7sec
0-100km/h: 9.7sec
0-120km/h: 13.6sec
0-140km/h: 18.8sec
0-160km/h: 26.5sec
0-400m: 17.0sec @ 133.3km/h
Rolling acceleration: Drive
80-12Okm/h: 6.8sec
Braking distance
10Okm /h-0 :38.2mPerformance
Power-to-weight: 80kW per tonne
Redline/cut-out: 6600/6600rpm
Speed at indicated 100km/h: 97
Speed in gears
45 km/h @ 6600rpm
83km/h @ 6600rpm
131km/h @ 6600rpm
190km/h @ 6600rpm*
190km/h @ 5050rpm*
173km/h @ 3800rpm*
Standing-start acceleration
0-20km/h: 1.1sec
0-40km/h: 2.5sec
0-60km/h: 4.2sec
0-80km/h: 6.6sec
0-100km/h: 9.5sec
0-120km/h: 13.5sec
0-140km/h: 18.5sec
0-160km/h: 26.5sec
0-400m: 16.9sec @ 133.8km/h
Rolling acceleration: Drive
80-12Okm/h: 6.7sec
Braking distance
10 Okm /h-0 :37.2mPerformance
Power-to-weight: 83kW per tonne
Redline/cut-out: 6000/6000rpm
Speed at indicated 100km/h: 95
Speed in gears
53 km/h @ 6000rpm
91km/h @ 6000rpm
139km/h @ 6000rpm
186km/h @ 6000rpm
200km/h @ 4730rpm*
187km/h @ 3500rpm*
Standing-start acceleration
0-20km/h: 1.2sec
0-40km/h: 2.4sec
0-60km/h: 3.9sec
0-80km/h: 5.7sec
0-100km/h: 8.3sec
0-120km/h: 11.3sec
0-140km/h: 15.3sec
0-160km/h: 21.5sec
0-400m: 16.0sec @ 142.8km/h
Rolling acceleration: Drive
80-12Okm/h: 5.5sec
Braking distance
10 Okm /h-0 :37.2mPerformance
Power-to-weight: 79kW per tonne
Redline/cut-out: none/ 6200rpm
Speed at indicated 100km/h: 99
Speed in gears
48km/h @ 6200rpm
91km/h @ 6200rpm
128km/h @ 6200rpm
167km/h @ 6200rpm
188km/h @ 5470rpm*Standing-start acceleration
0-20km/h: 1.2sec
0-40km/h: 2.5sec
0-60km/h: 4.4sec
0-80km/h: 6.6sec
0-100km/h: 9.9sec
0-120km/h: 13.9sec
0-140km/h: 19.2sec
0-160km/h: 28.3sec
0-400m: 17.0sec @ 132.7km/h
Rolling acceleration: 3rd/4th/5th
80-12Okm/h: 6.9/8.9/11.0sec
Braking distance
10Okm /h-0 :37.7m1 2 3 4 5 68.0/ 10
A great all-rounder with personality
and panache; interior quality; choice
Engine could be stronger and more
economical; barn doors a bit dicky
Track: Heathcote Dragstrip, windy. Temp: 17°C.
Driver: Nathan Ponchard * Manufacturer’s claim.
Warranty: 3yr/unlimited km. Service interval:
variable. Glass’s 3-year resale: 53%
AAMI insurance: $1079
** Includes sat-nav ($1100), sports seats ($1500),
piano-black trim ($300), Pepper Package ($1700)
and black roof/mirror caps (no cost)6.0/ 10
Vision; spirited drivetrain; decent
room; customisable appearance
Gritty ride; gooey steering; flawed
rear seat shape; fuel consumption
Track: Heathcote Dragstrip, windy. Temp: 17°C.
Driver: Nathan Ponchard * Estimated value or
manufacturer’s claim. Warranty: 3yr/150,000km.
Service interval: 12 months/15,000km. Glass’s
3-year resale: 53% A AMI insurance: $1085
** Includes metallic paint ($ 500) and Red Xtra
Pack ($1140)7.0/ 10
Sweet engine; strong grip; decent
handling; neat styling; vision
Vacant steering; cheap cabin
plastics; lumpy ride; no manual
Track: Heathcote Dragstrip, windy. Temp: 16°C.
Driver: Nathan Ponchard * Estimated value or
manufacturer’s claim. Warranty: 3yr/100,000km.
Service interval: 6 months/10,000km. Glass’s
3-year resale: n/a A AMI insurance: $ 923
** Includes black side body moulding ($299),
black grained DRL bezel ($199) and two-tone front
skid plate ($ 399)Verdict 7.5/ 10
Excellent seating; interesting interior;
superb engine; suppleness and charm
Tilt-only steering; busy urban ride;
detail anomalies; no auto optionTrack: Heathcote Dragstrip, windy. Temp: 17°C.
Driver: Nathan Ponchard * Manufacturer’s claim.
Warranty: 6yr/unlimited km. Service interval:
12 months/15,000km. Glass’s 3-year resale: 48%
AAMI insurance: $870
** Includes premium paint ($800), panoramic
roof ($1250), black wheels ($1000) and C-pillar
lettering ($100)