2019 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2020 MINI Cooper

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta presented a more upscale presence compared to its predecessor, thanks to its slightly longer and wider dimensions. The new angular grille, inspired by the VW Arteon sport sedan, added a dramatic flair to the Jetta's exterior, which was a significant departure from the previous generation's staid appearance. Inside, the cabin mirrored the exterior's angular design, creating a cohesive and upscale feel. The interior was spacious and functional, with comfortable seats suitable for long drives. The base S trim came well-equipped with features like 16-inch alloy wheels, LED head- and taillights, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

In contrast, the 2020 MINI Cooper stood out with its unique styling, featuring wide-eyed LED headlights, a grinning front grille, and vibrant color options. The Union Jack taillights were a crowd-pleaser, adding to the car's charm. The MINI Cooper evolved from a two-door hardtop to include a convertible variant and a four-door body style. The all-electric SE trim offered similar performance and refinement as the Cooper S, with unique design elements like EV-exclusive wheels. Inside, the MINI Cooper's design was dominated by circular elements, providing a premium feel unmatched in cars of its size.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta was powered by a 1.4-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine, producing 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Despite having 3 fewer horsepower than the previous model, the engine felt more responsive, thanks to its tuning and the new 8-speed automatic transmission. The Jetta handled both city and highway driving well, with smooth and sporty steering that struck a balance between comfort and performance. The ride quality was refined, offering a soft yet controlled experience over rough roads. Both the manual and automatic transmissions returned an impressive fuel economy of 30 miles per gallon city, 40 highway, and 34 combined.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE excelled in performance with its 181-horsepower electric motor and 199 pound-feet of torque, powered by a 32.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The SE felt quick off the line, thanks to the immediacy of the electric motor's torque delivery. The SE's regenerative braking system helped keep the battery charged, with an aggressive default setting that some drivers might find too abrupt. Despite weighing 300 pounds more than the Cooper S, the SE maintained a low center of gravity, providing a planted feel in corners. The gas-powered Coopers offered either a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission or an eight-speed automatic in the John Cooper Works trim, while the SE used a single-speed gearbox.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta offered comfortable front seats suitable for long trips, with adequate rear-seat space despite a slight reduction in legroom. Trunk space was reduced to 14.1 cubic feet from the previous 15.7 cubic feet, but it remained average for the class. The cabin layout was practical, with the touchscreen moved above the front climate vents and the shifter repositioned to make the center tray more useful. The blend of touchscreen functions with real buttons and dials enhanced the Jetta's practicality.

The 2020 MINI Cooper, while not ideal for carpooling or long road trips, provided good front-seat space and a spacious feel due to its large windows. The backseat was tiny, best suited for children. Cargo space in the two-door Cooper was limited to 8.7 cubic feet, expanding to 13.1 cubic feet in the four-door variant. The Convertible offered only 5.7 cubic feet. Dropping the rear seats in the SE trim provided a maximum of 25.8 cubic feet. Despite the limited space, the MINI Cooper's interior was thoughtfully designed, with two-zone automatic air conditioning, chrome toggle switches, and high-quality materials.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta came standard with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display featuring Volkswagen’s Car-Net App-Connect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims like the SEL and SEL Premium included Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a customizable 10.25-inch digital display that could project navigation and other driver information.

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

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta was equipped with front and side airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The SE, R-Line, SEL, and SEL Premium trims included driver-assist systems like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward-collision avoidance. The SEL and SEL Premium also featured adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE lacked many advanced safety features found in similarly-priced cars. It included front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera system. Forward-collision warning was standard, but automatic emergency braking was unavailable. The MINI Cooper received top marks from the IIHS, earning "Good" scores in all crash tests.