Specs at a Glance
2018 MINI Clubman
Keyless Start
Standard
Parking Assistance
Standard
2018 Volkswagen Golf
Keyless Start
Available on Other Styles
Parking Assistance
Available on Other Styles
2018 MINI Clubman vs 2018 VW Golf
Serving Wappingers Falls, Poughkeepsie, and Milton, NY
With the rising cost of fuel and a growing consciousness of environmental protection, it’s no surprise that more customers than ever before are drawn to smaller cars. It also doesn’t hurt that such vehicles have come a long way from being purely economy-minded appliances. Two sterling examples of the evolution of small cars are the MINI Clubman and the Volkswagen (VW) Golf, each of which has been around for several decades. For the 2018 model year, with a few tweaks here and there, it can be hard to qualitatively differentiate between the two rides. However, the MINI gets the upper hand based on the following:
Cabin Design and Quality
Unlike the 2018 VW Golf, the 2018 MINI Clubman is often praised for its well-designed interior. Premium materials are used to design the entire interior, which has a beautifully modern look. Consequently, the acoustics are top-notch; the cabin is quiet regardless of where you are driving.
Performance
More so than the 2018 VW Golf, automotive writers single out performance as one of the things that the 2018 MINI Clubman does exceptionally well. A lot of the credit goes to the availability of small yet peppy twin-power turbocharged engines: a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder that generates 134 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque; and a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that produces 189 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque (or 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque on the top-level John Cooper Works ALL4). Also, the Clubman has a trio of gearboxes: a 5-speed manual, a 6-speed manual, and an 8-inch automatic. And with its size and power steering, the Clubman is nimble and navigates corners with precision. By comparison, the Golf is not noted as exceptional on the road. In fact, some writers claim that its 6-speed automatic transmission can be slow to respond to shifting.
Seating Accommodation
Although both the 2018 MINI Clubman and the 2018 VW Golf seat up to five people, more attention is paid to the former because of its unique accommodations. The rear row of the Clubman is especially wide, thus ensuring that it is one of the few subcompacts that can fit three tall adults in the back without worrying about them feeling cramped. It’s also worth noting that the Clubman has standard leatherette upholstery; it is present on all trims. On the 2018 VW Golf, you’d need to upgrade in trim to replace the cloth trim with V-tex leatherette covering.
Psyched to check out the 2018 MINI Clubman, as opposed to the 2018 VW Golf? Then come see us at our dealership in Wappingers Falls, New York. Give us a call to set up an appointment with one of our MINI sales staff.