2019 Volvo S60 vs 2020 MINI Cooper

Volvo had managed to completely transform its image from quirky to sexy over the past decade. The 2019 S60, a scaled-down version of the flagship S90 sedan, competed with luxury cars like the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4. The S60 featured straight lines and precise angles, but its rear fender and C-pillar gave it an athletic stance. The design was so appealing that it invited further investigation, even if it didn't always put function first.

The 2019 S60 came in three trims: Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription. The entry-level Momentum included a panoramic moonroof, dual-zone climate control, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, among other features. The R-Design, which was tested, added fog lights, power-retractable side-view mirrors, and an R-Design steering wheel with paddle shifters. The top-tier Inscription offered genuine leather upholstery and 4-zone climate control, along with the optional Advance Package, which included active bending headlights and a 360-degree camera.

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. Initially available as a two-door hardtop, the MINI Cooper evolved to include a convertible and a four-door body style. The SE trim, an all-electric variant, was introduced, offering similar performance and refinement as the Cooper S but with a battery and electric motor.

The SE trim mimicked much of the Cooper S's design but sat slightly higher to accommodate the battery cells. Unique paint schemes and EV-exclusive wheels were available. Inside, the MINI Cooper's design was dominated by circles, from the speakers to the air vents. The massive circular housing for the touchscreen infotainment system added to the premium feel, unmatched in cars of its size.

The 2019 Volvo S60 offered three powertrain options: T5, T6, and T8. The T5 featured a turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, sent to front-wheel drive. The T6, which was tested, had a twin-charged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine making 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, sent to all-wheel drive. The T8 was a plug-in hybrid with a combined output of 400 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque, featuring a 21-mile all-electric range.

The T6 provided plenty of acceleration, with instantaneous throttle and transmission responses. Despite its FWD layout, the S60 felt like a firmly planted rear-wheel-drive sedan, staying flat through corners. The T6's AWD was estimated to return 21 mpg city, 32 highway, and 25 combined. In a week of combined driving, it achieved 23.2 mpg. The T5 had an estimated fuel economy of 24 mpg city, 36 highway, and 28 combined.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE excelled in performance with its 181-horsepower electric motor and 199 pound-feet of torque, fed by a 32.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The Cooper S's 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine generated 189 hp and 207 lb-ft. The SE felt just as quick as the Cooper S due to the immediacy of the electric motor's torque delivery. The SE also used regenerative braking to help keep its battery charged.

The SE weighed roughly 300 pounds more than the Cooper S but maintained a low center of gravity, thanks to the battery pack's placement. This helped the car feel planted in corners. Gas-powered Coopers used either a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission or an eight-speed automatic in the John Cooper Works trim. The SE used a single-speed gearbox, and no manual transmission was offered for 2020.

The 2019 Volvo S60 took a form-over-function approach with its interior. While it offered sensible steering-wheel-mounted controls and plenty of cubby space, some physical controls were awkwardly placed. The starter's location between the front seats and the drive-mode selector's roller design were not user-friendly. However, the conventional shifter was a smart choice, providing a familiar P-R-N-D layout.

Backseat space in the S60 was decent, especially compared to competitors like the cramped Lexus IS. The S60 offered 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space, which was about average for the class.

The 2020 MINI Cooper hatchback was not ideal for carpooling or road trips. Front-seat space was good, and the large windows prevented a claustrophobic feel. However, the backseat was tiny and best suited for children. The two-door Cooper offered 8.7 cubic feet of cargo space, while the four-door version provided 13.1 cubic feet. The Convertible had only 5.7 cubes. Dropping the rear seats in the SE trim provided a maximum of 25.8 cubic feet.

Despite limited space, the MINI Cooper was thoughtfully designed. It featured two-zone automatic air conditioning and an efficient heating system. The chrome toggle switches on the dashboard were fun to use, and the materials felt top-notch, reflecting BMW's investment in the MINI brand.

The 2019 Volvo S60 featured the Sensus touchscreen infotainment system, which took a tablet-like approach to menu navigation. While it looked great, too many features were tucked away into the screen, making simple tasks like changing the temperature cumbersome. The system occasionally lagged and even froze, which could be frustrating.

The Sensus system included a Volume dial, Play/Pause button, and track-skip buttons below the screen. A Home button was also available to help navigate the menus.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE had a unique "eDrive" driver-information display connected to the steering wheel. The display moved with the steering-wheel adjustments, which could be annoying. The eDrive screen displayed vehicle speed, time, mileage, remaining charge, and drive mode. The SE's 32.6-kilowatt-hour battery provided an EPA-estimated range of 110 miles.

The 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display was housed in a circular unit in the center of the dash. It included Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, and Apple CarPlay. The SE Iconic trim featured an 8.8-inch screen, a wireless charging pad, and a head-up display.

The 2019 Volvo S60 came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire-pressure-monitoring system. It also included driver-assistance systems like forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and traffic-sign recognition. The Advance Package added a head-up display, headlight washers, a 360-degree camera, and active bending headlights. Pilot Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system, was also part of the package.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE lacked many advanced safety features. It included front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera system with the Iconic package. Forward-collision warning was standard, but automatic emergency braking was unavailable. The NHTSA had not rated the MINI Cooper, but the IIHS gave it top marks, earning "Good" scores in all crash tests.