2019 MINI Cooper vs 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback

The 2019 MINI Cooper retained the charm that made its predecessors iconic, but it had grown in size and sophistication. While it still promised fun with its classic Mini styling, the larger headlights and taillights, extended front overhang, and increased visual weight over the front wheels detracted from its once simple elegance. Inside, the pie-plate-size speedometer was replaced by a rectangular infotainment screen, and while toggle switches and motorcycle-style gauges remained, the added technology introduced complexity that some found unfortunate.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback, redesigned half a decade prior, continued to evolve with subtle tweaks. The new body-color crossbars on the fake air intakes, a refreshed grille, and smoked headlights gave it a more refined look. The Sport Touring trim, with its Platinum White Pearl paint and glossy black detailing, garnered admiration and even mistaken identity as a Type R. Inside, the Civic offered stitched leather, soft surfaces, and quality materials, though hard plastics were still present. The manual gearbox added a touch of driving engagement, and the overall build quality impressed with a solid, quiet cabin.

The 2019 MINI Cooper John Cooper Works (JCW) version was the pinnacle of performance for the model. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine produced 228 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 236 pound-feet of torque from 1,250 rpm. This power enabled the car to accelerate to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds with the 6-speed automatic transmission, or 6.1 seconds with the manual gearbox. The JCW Pro Exhaust Valve added an auditory thrill, especially in Sport mode. However, torque steer and occasional braking issues during aggressive driving marred the experience slightly.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback, particularly in Sport and Sport Touring trims, featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. It delivered 174 horsepower in LX, EX, and EX-L trims, and 180 horsepower in Sport and Sport Touring trims. Torque was 162 pound-feet with the CVT and 177 pound-feet with the 6-speed manual. While not as performance-focused as the Civic Si, the Hatchback offered a quieter, more refined ride with a softer suspension. It still provided enjoyable driving dynamics, especially on winding roads, and achieved an impressive 32.7 mpg during testing.

The 2019 MINI Cooper, even as a 2-door hardtop, 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. When used as a 2-seater, the trunk expanded to 34 cubic feet. The front seats provided ample adjustment and support, but the controls prioritized style over function, with chrome toggle switches and unconventional door handles.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback boasted 25.2 cubic feet of cargo space, surpassing the HR-V Touring's 23.2 cubic feet. While it couldn't match the HR-V's maximum volume, the Civic's superior acceleration and fuel efficiency made it a compelling choice. The Sport Touring's heated leather front seats offered comfort, though the passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The center console storage was versatile, accommodating even large water bottles. Rear seat comfort was good, but the absence of air-conditioning vents and dark tinted glass could make it uncomfortable in hot weather.

The 2019 MINI Cooper's top-level infotainment system, based on BMW iDrive, featured an 8.8-inch display, navigation, and MINI Connected Services. It offered voice control, a touchscreen, and physical controls, but the latter were difficult to access. The system sometimes behaved unpredictably, and Android Auto was notably absent. The Harman Kardon audio system impressed, and the head-up display provided useful information. The Parking Assistant was a helpful feature, especially given the susceptibility of the Knight’s Edition’s wheels to damage.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback's dashboard featured digital instrumentation and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system in all but the LX trim. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a 12-speaker premium sound system in the Sport Touring trim. While the system lacked a tuning knob and had limited voice-recognition capabilities, it offered automatic climate control and Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock, enhancing convenience and peace of mind.

The 2019 MINI Cooper's safety features included eight airbags, a reversing camera, and an Active Driving Assistant with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam headlights, and a speed-limit information system. Adaptive cruise control was available, but the car lacked blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The IIHS rated it a Top Safety Pick in 2018, but it lost that rating in 2019. The federal government gave it a 4-star overall rating, with a 3-star rating for rear seat occupant protection in a side-impact collision.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback came standard with Honda Sensing, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, Road Departure Mitigation, and adaptive cruise control. However, the system showed some refinement issues, and the car lacked a blind-spot monitoring system and rear cross-traffic alert. Instead, it featured LaneWatch, which only covered the right-side blind spot. The Civic received top marks for crash-test performance but did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS due to poor headlight performance.