2020 BMW 2 Series vs 2020 MINI Cooper

The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe was a departure from the traditional coupe design, as it featured four doors and a sloping roofline, a trend seen among several German automakers. This model joined the established 2 Series lineup, which had been known for its two-door coupe and convertible options since 2014. The Gran Coupe was built on a new platform shared with the BMW X1, X2, and MINI Clubman and Countryman, featuring a front-wheel-drive bias. The front end of the 2 Series Gran Coupe echoed the styling of the larger 8 Series, with swooping headlights and an angular twin-kidney grille. However, the rear design struggled to maintain the aesthetic of the two-door coupe, despite the frameless doors. Inside, the Gran Coupe offered a modern cockpit with solid fit-and-finish, though not as elegant as some competitors. The model designations varied across body styles, with the Gran Coupe available in 228i xDrive and M235i xDrive forms.

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 added to its charm, making it an enthusiast's choice without being gaudy. Originally a two-door hardtop, the MINI Cooper evolved to include a convertible and a four-door variant, with the all-electric SE trim joining the lineup. The SE trim offered similar performance to the Cooper S but with an electric motor and battery. The SE's design closely resembled the Cooper S, with a slightly higher stance to accommodate the battery. Inside, the MINI Cooper's design was dominated by circular elements, including the infotainment system, which provided a premium feel unmatched in its size category.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series 228i Gran Coupe was equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Power was delivered through an eight-speed automatic transmission to either the front wheels or xDrive all-wheel drive. The engine was refined, though turbo lag was noticeable, affecting acceleration from a standstill. The Drive Mode selector offered Sport, Comfort, and Eco Pro modes, with Sport mode enhancing the driving experience. The M235i variant offered more power with 301 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. The Coupe and Convertible models provided a more engaging driving experience, with the M240i boasting a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine producing 335 hp and 368 lb-ft of torque. The 228i Gran Coupe's steering was sharp, but the FWD layout lacked the natural feel of the RWD Coupe and Convertible. Body roll was minimal, but the ride quality suffered over road imperfections, making it less suitable for areas with poor road conditions.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE excelled in performance with its electric motor delivering 181 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, powered by a 32.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack. While slightly below the Cooper S's 189 hp and 207 lb-ft from its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, the SE's immediate torque delivery made it feel just as quick. The SE also outpaced the base Cooper, which had a 1.5-liter turbo three-cylinder engine producing 134 hp and 162 lb-ft. The SE featured regenerative braking, allowing for one-pedal driving, though a less aggressive setting was available. Despite a 300-pound weight increase due to the battery, the SE maintained a low center of gravity, enhancing its cornering ability. The SE used a single-speed gearbox, while gas-powered Coopers offered a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic or an eight-speed automatic in the JCW trim. No manual transmission was available for 2020, but a six-speed manual was set to return in 2021.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series offered supportive and comfortable front seats with ample legroom, though this compromised rear-seat space, making the second row suitable only for occasional use. The cockpit layout was straightforward, with easy-to-locate climate controls. However, the cupholders and center console were small, limiting storage options. The Gran Coupe provided 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space, surpassing competitors like the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class. The Coupe offered 13.1 cubic feet, while the Convertible had 11.8 cubic feet with the top up and 8.8 cubic feet with the top down.

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, unchanged in the SE trim, while the four-door variant provided 13.1 cubic feet. The Convertible had only 5.7 cubic feet. Folding the rear seats in the SE increased cargo space to 25.8 cubic feet, still less than a Volkswagen Golf. Despite limited space, the MINI Cooper was thoughtfully designed, featuring two-zone automatic air conditioning and efficient heating. The interior boasted chrome toggle switches, ergonomic steering, and high-quality materials, reflecting BMW's investment in the brand.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe came standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen with touch functionality and Android Auto, while the Coupe and Convertible had a 6.5-inch iDrive display controlled via a dial. The Gran Coupe also offered wireless Apple CarPlay. Our test model featured a fully-digital instrument panel with customizable navigation display and a head-up display. BMW's infotainment system was user-friendly, with touch functionality and center console buttons for easy navigation.

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 32.6-kilowatt-hour battery offered a 110-mile range, less than competitors like the Hyundai Kona Electric. The 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 2020 BMW 2 Series included standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, a backup camera, rain-sensing wipers, and airbags. Available features included adaptive cruise control, automatic parking assistance, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring. The driver-assist systems were seamless and customizable.

The 2020 MINI Cooper 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 NHTSA had not rated the MINI Cooper, but the IIHS gave it top marks with "Good" scores in all crash tests.