2019 Nissan Altima vs 2020 MINI Cooper

The 2019 Nissan Altima borrowed design cues from its larger sibling, the Maxima, to stand out in a competitive market. It featured a large trapezoidal grille, sharply raked headlights, and a black stripe in the C-pillar. Inside, the Altima's layout was similar to other contemporary cars, with a floating center stack and familiar vent and dial arrangements. This design approach aimed to balance evolving technology with user-friendly controls, avoiding the cluttered dashboards of the past. The Altima's interior included standard features like Zero Gravity seats, push-button start, and an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2020 MINI Cooper, on the other hand, was a unique presence on the road with its wide-eyed LED headlights, grinning grille, and vibrant color options. The Union Jack taillights added a touch of charm. Originally a two-door hardtop, the Cooper evolved to include a convertible and a four-door variant, with the all-electric SE trim joining the lineup. The SE trim maintained the Cooper's distinctive design while accommodating a battery and electric motor. Inside, the Cooper's circular design elements dominated, from the speakers to the infotainment system, delivering a premium feel unmatched in its size category.

The 2019 Nissan Altima offered two engine options. The base 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine produced 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, a slight improvement over the previous model. The SR and Platinum trims featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with variable compression technology, delivering V6-like power and 4-cylinder fuel economy. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and offered front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The AWD system provided confidence in snowy conditions, while the 2.5-liter engine returned fuel economy of 28 city, 39 highway, and 32 combined mpg. The turbocharged engine achieved 25 city, 34 highway, and 29 combined mpg.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE excelled in performance with its electric motor producing 181 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. The SE's immediacy of torque delivery made it feel quick off the line, comparable to the Cooper S's 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 189 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. The SE's regenerative braking system helped keep the battery charged, and its low center of gravity ensured a planted feel in corners. The SE used a single-speed gearbox, while gas-powered Coopers employed either a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic or an eight-speed automatic transmission. The SE's 110-mile range was less competitive but suited urban drivers.

The 2019 Nissan Altima's interior featured extremely comfortable Zero Gravity seats, designed to reduce fatigue on long trips. The car offered ample cubbies and cupholders, though the center console was not very deep. The back seat provided enough space for tall adults, and the trunk offered 15.4 cubic feet of cargo space, competitive with other midsize sedans.

The 2020 MINI Cooper hatchback was not ideal for carpooling or long trips, with limited rear-seat space best suited for children. The two-door Cooper offered 8.7 cubic feet of cargo space, while the four-door variant provided 13.1 cubic feet. The Convertible had only 5.7 cubic feet. Dropping the rear seats in the SE trim provided a maximum of 25.8 cubic feet. Despite limited space, the Cooper's interior was thoughtfully designed, with two-zone automatic air conditioning, chrome toggle switches, and high-quality materials.

The 2019 Nissan Altima came standard with NissanConnect, featuring a user-friendly touchscreen with large icons and easy-to-read fonts. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. A 7-inch color Drive Assist display between the tachometer and speedometer provided various menus accessible via a steering-wheel-mounted directional pad.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE featured an "eDrive" driver-information display connected to the steering wheel, displaying speed, time, mileage, remaining charge, and drive mode. The SE's 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display included Bluetooth, navigation, and Apple CarPlay. The SE Iconic trim offered an 8.8-inch screen, wireless charging pad, and head-up display.

The 2019 Nissan Altima included standard safety features like front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, vehicle dynamics control, and a reversing camera. The Platinum trim featured ProPilot Assist, offering partially autonomous driving functions. Forward-collision warning and driver-alertness monitoring were standard across all trims.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE lacked advanced safety features, with only front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera included in the Iconic package. Forward-collision warning was standard, but automatic emergency braking was unavailable. The MINI Cooper received top marks from the IIHS but was not rated by the NHTSA.