2019 MINI Cooper vs 2019 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2019 MINI Cooper retained the charm that made its predecessors iconic, but with a more grown-up and technologically sophisticated design. While it still had the floating roof, wrap-around glass, and classic Mini styling, the latest model's larger headlights and taillights, extended front overhang, and increased visual weight over the front wheels detracted from its simple elegance. Inside, the once beloved pie-plate-size speedometer was replaced by a rectangular infotainment screen within a round housing, surrounded by mood lighting. Despite these changes, the 2019 MINI Cooper continued to convey a sense of individuality, though the added technology introduced complexity.

In contrast, the 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 was one of the best-looking cars on the market, despite not being a sports or luxury car. The hatchback version, in particular, showcased Mazda's design prowess with its clean rear quarter panel, sharply raked rear window, and sports-car-like taillights. Inside, the Mazda3's interior was a testament to Mazda's attention to detail, with clean, uncluttered spaces and seamless technology integration. The driver and front passenger sat low and leaned back, enhancing the sporty feel, while the 8.8-inch MazdaConnect infotainment system added a touch of luxury.

The 2019 MINI Cooper John Cooper Works (JCW) was the pinnacle of performance for the MINI lineup. Under its scooped and striped hood, a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine produced 228 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 236 pound-feet of torque at a low 1,250 rpm. This power enabled the car to accelerate to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds with the optional 6-speed automatic transmission, or 6.1 seconds with the 6-speed manual. The JCW Pro Exhaust Valve added a thrilling auditory experience, especially in Sport mode. However, the Pirelli Cinturato P7 all-season tires squealed more than expected in sharp corners, and torque steer was an occasional issue. The bigger brakes were generally effective, but sometimes faltered during enthusiastic driving on uneven roads.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 came with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 186 horsepower, paired with either a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. The car offered front-wheel drive (FWD) or the newly available all-wheel drive (AWD), though AWD was only available with the automatic transmission. The Mazda3's SkyActiv-G engine provided responsive acceleration, athletic handling, and composed braking. Fuel efficiency varied, with the FWD automatic sedan achieving 27 mpg city, 36 highway, and 30 combined, while the AWD hatchback returned 24/32/27. In a week of combined driving, the test model achieved 28.2 mpg. The upcoming SkyActiv-X engine promised even better performance and efficiency.

The 2019 MINI Cooper, even in its 2-door hardtop form, offered surprising utility. The back seat could accommodate passengers if the front seats were adjusted, and the 8.7-cubic-foot trunk could hold a full-size suitcase and a backpack. However, the Cooper was best used as a 2-seater with a spacious 34-cubic-foot trunk. The front seats provided a range of adjustments, with significant side bolsters and manual thigh-support extensions. The controls prioritized style over function, with chrome toggle switches, unconventional door release handles, and a wireless device charger that consumed the limited center armrest storage.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan offered 13.2 cubic feet of trunk space, while the hatchback provided 20.1 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 47.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The hatchback's cargo space was serviceable for the class, though not as spacious as some competitors. The low, sports-car-like seating position benefited front-seat passengers but made rear-seat accommodations tight, especially for taller individuals. The center console featured a deep tray and a center bin, though the design of the center armrest/console cover was less than ideal, requiring it to be slid back before lifting.

The 2019 MINI Cooper's top-level infotainment system, based on BMW iDrive technology, featured an 8.8-inch display screen, navigation, and MINI Connected Services. It offered voice control, a touchscreen, and physical controls, though the latter were difficult to access. The system sometimes behaved unpredictably, changing screens without input. Wireless charging and Apple CarPlay were available, but Android Auto was not. The Harman Kardon audio system provided impressive sound quality, and the head-up display showed information on a plastic panel that deployed from the dashboard. The Parking Assistant helped with parallel parking, which was useful given the susceptibility of the Knight’s Edition’s wheels to damage.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 featured an 8.8-inch screen running the latest MazdaConnect infotainment system, with crisp graphics and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the system was entirely remote-controlled, which could be less intuitive for some users. The head-up display and fully digital instrument panel added to the car's luxury feel. The system's usability varied, so potential buyers were encouraged to test it themselves to ensure it met their needs.

The 2019 MINI Cooper offered a limited set of safety systems, including eight airbags, a reversing camera, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam headlights, and a speed-limit information system. Adaptive cruise control was available with the Driver Assistance Package, but the car lacked blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The MINI Cooper received a 4-star overall rating from the federal government, with a 3-star rating for rear seat occupant protection in a side-impact collision. It was a Top Safety Pick in 2018 but lost that rating in 2019.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 hatchback came standard with Mazda’s i-Activsense suite, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and driver-attention alerts. These features were not standard on the base sedan trim but were available on the Select Sedan trim. The hatchback's large C-pillars created significant blind spots, and the auto-engage system for the parking brake was not intuitive. The parking brake engaged when the car started and released when the accelerator was pressed, which could be confusing without prior knowledge.