2019 MINI Cooper vs 2020 Nissan Altima

The 2019 MINI Cooper retained the charm that made the original Cooper a sensation, but it had grown in size and sophistication. The design elements, such as the floating roof and wrap-around glass, remained, but the car's proportions had changed. The headlights and taillights were larger, and the front overhang was longer, which detracted from the simple elegance of earlier models. Inside, the iconic pie-plate-size speedometer was replaced by a rectangular infotainment screen, surrounded by mood lighting. The toggle switches and motorcycle-style gauges were still present, but the technology overlay added complexity.

In contrast, the 2020 Nissan Altima featured a clean and contemporary design, both inside and out. The exterior had been refined with last year's redesign, although some details, like the door handles and rear diffuser panel, were less appealing. The interior was ergonomically simple, with a high-mounted touchscreen infotainment system, clearly legible climate controls, and a traditional transmission shifter. The materials quality was on par with the midsize sedan segment, with matte chrome detailing and simulated wood trim adding a touch of sophistication.

The 2019 MINI Cooper John Cooper Works version was the pinnacle of performance for the model. It featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 236 pound-feet of torque at 1,250 rpm. With a base curb weight of 2,845 pounds, it could 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 car's handling was sharp, but torque steer and occasional braking issues in corners detracted from the overall driving experience.

The 2020 Nissan Altima offered a more balanced performance. Most models came with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine making 188 horsepower, paired with a CVT and optional AWD. The test car featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. The Altima's ride and handling were impressive, thanks to standard Active Ride Control and Intelligent Trace Control. The CVT was programmed to mimic a traditional automatic, providing a satisfying driving experience in various settings.

The 2019 MINI Cooper, even in its 2-door hardtop form, was surprisingly practical. 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 large 34-cubic-foot trunk. The front seats offered a range of adjustments, and the controls adhered to a form-over-function ethos, with chrome toggle switches and unconventional door release handles.

The 2020 Nissan Altima prioritized comfort and practicality. The front and back seats were designed with NASA-inspired technology for superior comfort, although the lack of a front passenger seat height adjuster and ventilated front seats were notable omissions. The Altima offered heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a remote engine starter with climate control. The trunk provided 15.4 cubic feet of space, with optional grocery bag hooks and an interior grab handle for convenience.

The 2019 MINI Cooper's top-level infotainment system, based on BMW iDrive technology, was both a blessing and a curse. It featured an 8.8-inch display screen, navigation, and MINI Connected Services, with three methods of operation: voice control, touchscreen, and physical controls. However, the physical controls were difficult to access, and the system sometimes behaved unpredictably. Wireless charging and Apple CarPlay were available, but Android Auto was not. The test car also had a head-up display and Parking Assistant.

The 2020 Nissan Altima offered a nearly perfect infotainment system. The 8-inch display was easy to use, with physical and virtual buttons providing shortcuts to main screen menus. Standard features included Bluetooth, a text-messaging assistant, Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Available features included satellite radio, a navigation system, a 9-speaker Bose audio system, and NissanConnect Services. The connected services technology offered various plans, including automatic collision notification and emergency calling.

The 2019 MINI Cooper lacked a robust set of safety systems. It came with 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 blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist were not. The Cooper received a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS in 2018.

The 2020 Nissan Altima included Nissan Safety Shield 360, with features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, and automatic high-beam assistance. Additional safety systems included a driver monitoring system, road-sign recognition, and a surround-view camera. ProPilot Assist offered adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance, although it was not always reliable. The Altima received a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS.