2019 MINI Cooper vs 2020 Toyota Camry

The 2019 MINI Cooper retained the charm that made its predecessors iconic, but it had grown in size and sophistication. The car's design elements, such as the floating roof and wrap-around glass, remained, but the larger headlights and taillights, along with a longer front overhang, detracted from its once simple elegance. Inside, the classic pie-plate-size speedometer was replaced by a rectangular infotainment screen, surrounded by mood lighting. While the toggle switches and motorcycle-style gauges stayed, the added technology introduced complexity that some found unnecessary.

In contrast, the 2020 Toyota Camry marked a return to form with a renewed focus on quality and appeal. Its expressive styling, including a bold front fascia and taut lines, made it the sportiest Camry yet. The interior featured uniformly nice materials and a driver-focused dashboard, making even the lower trims feel upscale. The TRD model added red trim accents, enhancing its sporty appeal. Despite not being a luxury car, the Camry's top trims offered leather and wood finishes that rivaled entry-level Lexus models.

The 2019 MINI Cooper John Cooper Works (JCW) version was the pinnacle of performance for the model. It featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. This power allowed the car to accelerate from 0 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 car's Pirelli Cinturato P7 all-season tires squealed in sharp corners, and torque steer was noticeable during hard acceleration. The bigger brakes were generally effective but occasionally faltered during aggressive driving.

The 2020 Toyota Camry offered four distinct powertrains, including a 3.5-liter V6 with 301 horsepower and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The V6, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, provided a smooth and powerful driving experience, making the Camry XLE feel luxurious. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 203 horsepower (206 in XSE trim), offered a lighter front end and better steering feel. The AWD system, similar to that in the RAV4, could send up to half of the engine's torque to the rear wheels when needed, without significantly impacting fuel economy. The front-drive Camry achieved an EPA combined fuel economy rating of 31 mpg, while the AWD version managed 28 mpg.

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 car was best used as a 2-seater with a spacious 34-cubic-foot trunk. The front seats provided significant adjustment and support, making the car comfortable for tall individuals. The controls, though stylish, sometimes sacrificed functionality for form, with chrome toggle switches and unconventional door release handles.

The 2020 Toyota Camry was designed for ease of use, with most controls falling easily to hand. The front seats offered increased legroom and hip room compared to the previous generation, despite the styling suggesting otherwise. The rear seat, however, had reduced legroom and overall passenger volume, making it tighter than competitors like the Honda Accord. The trunk, at 15.1 cubic feet, was smaller than several rivals. The addition of AWD did not compromise the trunk or passenger space, thanks to modifications in the floor structure and fuel tank.

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 three methods of operation: voice control, a touchscreen, and physical controls. However, the physical controls were difficult to access, and the touchscreen's small virtual buttons were challenging to use. The system sometimes behaved unpredictably, changing displays 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.

The 2020 Toyota Camry added Android Auto to its standard features, joining Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and a three-month trial of SiriusXM satellite radio. The standard infotainment system, though functional, felt dated with low-resolution graphics. The touchscreen was responsive and had hard buttons for major functions, making it user-friendly. The standard 7-inch screen could be upgraded to an 8-inch version. The Camry also offered a Qi wireless charging pad and a three-month trial of WiFi Connect. Higher trims featured a 7-inch multi-information display and an optional 10-inch head-up display.

The 2019 MINI Cooper offered a limited set of safety systems, including 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 with the Driver Assistance Package. However, 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 and was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS in 2018.

The 2020 Toyota Camry included Toyota Safety Sense, featuring a pre-collision system with emergency braking and pedestrian detection, dynamic radar adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning with steering assist, and automatic high beams. A one-year trial of Safety Connect was also included. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was optional. The Camry came with 10 airbags and standard safety features like stability control and a backup camera. Higher trims offered Bird's Eye View, providing a 360-degree view of the car's surroundings. The Camry received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and was a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.