Auto Word by Mark Maynard

The Mini Cooper is like Cinderella's slipper. A lot of people want to wedge a size-12 lifestyle into this lithesome little four seater, but it just doesn't fit.

Mini came out with a shoehorn in 2008 with its Cooper Clubman, today's test car, which is a stretched version of the hardtop Mini. It adds one back door on the passenger side and quaint barn doors to access a slightly larger cargo area. Though still a four-seater, there is just enough added room to give some real-world function.

I just finished a week in a 2009 Cooper S Clubman and it had me thinking this car could work for my household, which in just a few years will be an empty nest. Until then, the soccer-playing teen daughter and her teammates would be pressed for space in the back seat. And the cargo space, which amounts to decent trunk space, will be stuffed with gear.

I don't think they'd care. They would be tooling around in one of the most fun cars on sale in the world. And for a car-crazed girl about to get her learner's permit, her parents could likely get a pledge for straight A's to have such a ride to school.

Sold in two front-wheel-drive models, Clubman pricing starts at $21,350, including the $650 destination charge. The base model comes with a 118-horsepower, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and standard six-speed manual or optional ($1,250) six-speed automatic.

The Cooper S, highlighted by a 172-hp turbocharged version of the engine, has a starting price of $24,350, which includes free maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles. The test car, with options, was $31,450.

A Mini Cooper is all about fun with function — in any body style, which includes hardtop, convertible and, possibly, next year a wagonlike crossover.

The interior design of this car is function following form. Every interior element is a design-school statement. The big round speedometer face in the center of the instrument panel integrates radio and climate controls. Circles, textures and patterns are all part of a theme. There are some cool touches, but some border on cutesy. And that's a little demeaning for the 2010 model, which drives with the heart of a BMW, the parent company of Mini USA.

With a six-speed manual transmission, the Clubman S squirts through traffic. Raise the revs a bit on takeoff, and the turbo powers up to give quick starts. But engage the clutch without enough throttle, and takeoff is flat-footed until the engine hits the turbo zone. Gear changes are clean and neat, with pedals neatly trimmed in chrome.

The suspension is compliant for keeping tires in contact with the road, but the sporty ride quality can be choppy on the interstate.

Fuel-mileage ratings are 26 mpg city and 34 highway, which is just 3 mpg less than the standard model. Both engines require 91 octane, but even with its teeny 13.2-gallon tank, the cruising range is impressive and practical for the commuter.

The Clubman's extra length helps the cabin feel less compact than the hardtop — and for a small car, it fits a range of large people. The seats are full and supportive with height adjustment for the front seats. Because there are just two seats in back, the shoulder room is impressive.

There have been warranty issues in the past with some interior pieces, but the new cabin layout appears to be of quality materials and assembly. The door latches release with the secure click of a handcrafted hasp. The rear barn doors have gas struts to push them open when released, but they are also easy to close.

As small as it is, Mini makes a big statement. It is all about choice and personalization. And the company provides hundreds of paint-color schemes, dozens of accessories, numerous packages, performance parts, clothing and more. It is not difficult to option up your dream Mini to $50,000.

But some of the packages are embedded with useful upsell options.

For example, the Convenience Package, $1,250, adds Bluetooth, USB-iPod adapter, rain-sensing windshield wipers, auto-dimming rearview mirror and universal garage door opener. But for an additional $500, they throw in Comfort Bluetooth with a multifunction steering wheel and a center armrest with an integrated phone charger and signal booster.

In for a penny dot might as well get the pound. There's room for it in the Clubman.

SPECS BOX

2009 Mini Cooper S Clubman

Body style: compact, four-passenger coupe with side access panel and rear barn doors

Engine: 172-horsepower, turbocharged 1.6-liter four cylinder

Transmission: six-speed manual; optional six-speed automatic with steering wheel shifters

Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 6.7 seconds

EPA fuel economy estimates: 26 mpg city, 34 highway; 91 octane recommended

DIMENSIONS

Cargo space: 9.2 cubic feet, to the top of the seat back; 32.8, back seat folded

Front head/leg/shoulder room: 39/41.4/50.3 inches

Rear head/leg/shoulder room: 37.7/32.3/45.9 inches

Length/wheelbase: 155/100.3 inches

PRICING

Base: $24,350, including $650 freight charge; price as tested, $31,450

Mark Maynard is driving in cyberspace at mark.Maynard@uniontrib.com.

COPYRIGHT 2009 THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE.

DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS.COM.