2019 Kia Optima vs 2020 MINI Cooper

The 2019 Kia Optima, while not as revolutionary in design as its 2011–2015 predecessor, still managed to capture attention with its signature tiger-nose grille, stylish fender-vent trim, and optional black panoramic glass roof. The variety of trim levels allowed buyers to find a look that suited their taste and budget. However, the limited availability of interior colors, except for black, made it challenging to find the perfect combination. Prices ranged from $22,900 for the base LX to $35,790 for the SX Turbo with the Limited Package, and the plug-in hybrid model topped $42,000.

The test car, an SX Turbo without the Limited Package, featured a blacked-out exterior, 18-inch aluminum wheels, red brake calipers, and white pearl paint, giving it a sporty appearance. Inside, black leather with red inserts, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and upgraded instrumentation added to the racy feel. Despite its appeal, the Limited Package upgrade was preferred for its luxurious touches like quilted Nappa leather and improved materials, making it a bargain at under $37,000.

The 2020 MINI Cooper stood out on the road with its unique design, featuring wide-eyed LED headlights, a grinning front grille, vibrant color options, and Union Jack taillights. Initially available as a two-door hardtop, the MINI Cooper evolved to include a convertible variant, a four-door body style, and the all-electric SE trim. The SE trim, marketed as offering similar performance and refinement as the Cooper S, featured a battery and electric motor, sitting slightly higher off the road to accommodate the battery cells.

Inside, the MINI Cooper's design was dominated by circles, with circular speakers, air vents, door handles, and a massive circular housing for the touchscreen infotainment system. The SE trim maintained the premium feel of the gas-powered Coopers, with high-quality materials and thoughtful design elements. Despite the added weight of the battery, the SE retained the classic MINI driving experience with direct steering, limited body roll, and a low center of gravity.

The 2019 Kia Optima offered five different engines, including hybrid powertrains. The base LX and sporty S trim featured a 185-horsepower, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, while the mid-grade EX Turbo had a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 178 hp. The hybrid model returned 41 mpg in combined driving, and the plug-in hybrid offered up to 28 miles of pure electric range. The SX Turbo test car had a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 245 hp and 260 pound-feet of torque, providing smooth, linear acceleration.

A 6-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels, with four driving modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart. The Smart mode adjusted vehicle behavior based on driving style, while Sport mode was better for spirited driving. The car averaged 23.5 mpg on the testing loop, close to the EPA's estimate of 24 mpg. The SX Turbo trim featured a unique rack-mounted electrically assisted steering system, providing better feel at the wheel. However, the steering lacked crispness on mountain roads, and the brakes, while effective under normal conditions, heated up and faded during aggressive driving. The sport-tuned suspension offered a firm ride, but excess body motion reduced confidence on rough roads.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE excelled in performance with its 181-horsepower electric motor and 199 pound-feet of torque, powered by a 32.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The SE felt quick off the line, thanks to the immediacy of the electric motor's torque delivery. The gas-powered Cooper S, with its 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, generated 189 hp and 207 lb-ft, while the base Cooper had a 1.5-liter turbo three-cylinder engine with 134 hp and 162 lb-ft.

The SE used regenerative braking to help keep its battery charged, with an aggressive default setting that allowed for one-pedal driving. The SE's battery pack, mounted in a "T" shape beneath the floor, kept the center of gravity low, maintaining the classic MINI driving experience with direct steering and limited body roll. The SE used a single-speed gearbox, while gas-powered Coopers had either a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission or an eight-speed automatic in the John Cooper Works trim. No manual transmission was offered for 2020, but a six-speed manual was set to return in 2021.

The 2019 Kia Optima provided comfort, simplicity, and ample storage for daily driving. Controls were logically laid out and easy to use, with buttons and knobs limiting interaction with the touchscreen infotainment system. The Optima had a spacious 15.9-cubic-foot trunk and plenty of storage cubbies. The front seats offered various power adjustments, heating, and ventilation, with the Limited Package adding Nappa leather and other luxury touches. Backseat legroom was impressive, with good thigh support and a comfortable backrest angle. Rear air-conditioning vents and quick-charging USB ports were also provided. The Smart Trunk feature automatically opened the trunk lid when standing behind the car with the key fob, though it could be turned off if needed.

The 2020 MINI Cooper hatchback was not ideal for carpooling or long trips, with limited backseat space best suited for children. The two-door Cooper had 8.7 cubic feet of cargo space, while the four-door version offered 13.1 cubic feet. The Convertible had only 5.7 cubic feet of cargo space. Dropping the rear seats in the SE trim provided a maximum of 25.8 cubic feet, still less than half of what a Volkswagen Golf offered. Despite the limited space, the MINI Cooper was thoughtfully designed, with two-zone automatic air conditioning, chrome toggle switches, and high-quality materials. The heating system used an efficient heat pump to minimize battery draw during winter.

The 2019 Kia Optima came with an 8-inch touchscreen display, UVO technology, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Siri Eyes Free, voice recognition, a USB port, and a reversing camera. The Optima S and EX Turbo added satellite radio and UVO eServices, which ran on the smartphone's data plan. The UVO eServices included a smartphone app for remote access to vehicle functions and remote start. The SX Turbo added a navigation system, HD Radio, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system. The infotainment system was easy to use, with flexible voice-recognition technology.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE featured an "eDrive" driver-information display connected to the steering wheel, displaying vehicle speed, time, mileage, remaining charge, and drive mode. The SE had a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display with Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, and Apple CarPlay. The SE Iconic trim included an 8.8-inch screen, a wireless charging pad, and a head-up display. The eDrive screen's movement with the steering-wheel adjustments was a minor annoyance, but the overall technology package was well-integrated.

The 2019 Kia Optima included standard forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert systems. Rear parking-assist sensors and a driver-monitoring system were also standard. Upgrades included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and a surround-view camera system. The Optima received top ratings from the IIHS and 5-star ratings from the federal government, except for a 4-star rating for front passenger protection in a frontal-impact collision.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE lacked advanced safety features, with only front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera system included in the Iconic package. Forward-collision warning was standard, but automatic emergency braking was unavailable. The NHTSA had not rated the MINI Cooper, but the IIHS gave it top marks with "Good" scores in all crash tests.