2020 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2021 MINI Cooper

The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid was nearly indistinguishable from its non-hybrid siblings, save for the “Hybrid” badges and aerodynamic 17-inch aluminum wheels. Honda’s decision to maintain a consistent design across the lineup was a smart move, avoiding the off-putting design cues often seen in hybrid versions of mainstream vehicles. The Accord Hybrid was available in four trims: Hybrid, Hybrid EX, Hybrid EX-L, and Hybrid Touring, with prices starting at $25,620. The Hybrid EX trim, priced at $29,520, was particularly recommended for its comprehensive driver-assistance and infotainment technologies, along with heated front seats and side mirrors.

Inside, the Accord Hybrid offered an upscale look with leather seats and simulated matte-finish wood trim, especially in the Gray and Ivory color schemes. However, the floor mats were notorious for attracting pet hair, making them difficult to clean. Despite this minor inconvenience, the interior was praised for its comfort and aesthetic appeal.

The 2021 MINI Cooper, with its iconic styling, stood out in the subcompact car market. Its rounded shape, compact dimensions, and wide array of color choices and customization options, including Union Jack graphics for the roof and taillights, made it immediately recognizable. The interior continued the unique design language with circular shapes dominating the seats, dash, and center stack. The infotainment touchscreen was mounted inside a circular light ring, and the air vents were also circular. While the cabin was high quality, it lacked space, particularly in the back seats, which were more suitable for cargo than passengers.

The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, with its 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and two-motor hybrid powertrain, delivered 212 combined horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque. During testing, it achieved 42.6 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA estimate of 48 mpg. On a specific testing loop, it returned 44.1 mpg in city and suburban driving and 41.2 mpg after a spirited drive in Sport mode. Despite a 200-pound weight penalty, the Accord Hybrid was quick off the line, especially in Sport mode, though the eCVT drone was noticeable during hard acceleration. The car’s handling was generally predictable and composed, though it struggled on undulating pavement.

The 2021 MINI Cooper offered four powertrain options: a 134-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder, a 189-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder in the Cooper S, a 228-hp turbo-four in the John Cooper Works (JCW), and a 301-hp turbo-four in the John Cooper Works GP. All models were front-wheel drive, with the Cooper and Cooper S offering a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic, and the JCW GP featuring an eight-speed automatic. The MINI’s small size made it feel spritely and energetic, though the turbocharged four-cylinder engines provided noticeably better performance at highway speeds. The JCW GP, in particular, felt like a rocket ship. However, the Cooper’s stiff ride could be tiresome on long drives, and it felt twitchy at higher speeds. Fuel economy varied, with the most efficient model being the Convertible at 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid offered a full-size interior and trunk, matching the standard Accord. The backseat was spacious with excellent thigh support, rear air-conditioning vents, and available USB charging ports. However, front-seat track travel was limited, potentially causing discomfort for taller drivers. The front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, which could be an issue for some. Despite these minor drawbacks, the seats were comfortable, and the Touring trim included heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. The trunk was generous at 16.7 cubic feet, capable of holding four full-size suitcases with room to spare. The 60/40 split-folding rear seatback added versatility, though a hatchback design would have been even more practical.

The 2021 MINI Cooper’s interior was more suited for cargo than passengers, especially in the rear seats. The front seats were comfortable with decent head and legroom for average adults, though taller drivers might struggle with knee placement due to the dash shape. Interior storage was limited, with a small center console and door pockets. The Cooper Hatchback offered decent cargo space with the back seats folded down, while the Convertible had a small cargo hold under the folding top compartment.

The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, in EX trim or higher, featured a robust Display Audio infotainment system with a user-friendly interface, clear graphics, and physical controls for power, volume, tuning, and scrolling. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, basic HondaLink services, and quick-charge USB ports. The EX-L trim added a premium sound system, while the Touring trim included navigation, HD digital traffic data, a wireless smartphone charger, NFC technology, a WiFi hotspot, and expanded HondaLink service plans. HondaLink offered features like in-car delivery of Amazon packages, a Find My Car function, and smartphone remote locking, unlocking, and engine starting. The Touring trim also included a head-up display (HUD) visible with polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 MINI Cooper’s base screen was a 6.5-inch unit, with an optional 8.8-inch unit offering SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and more. Optional features included a Harman Kardon sound system, automatic climate controls, and LED headlights. MINI included more physical controls than some automakers, improving usability while driving. However, Android Auto was not available, leaving many users reliant on Bluetooth. The infotainment system used BMW’s software, with a physical iDrive controller in the center console. The tight space between the front seats made the controller difficult to use, making touch control a more practical option for many.

The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, traffic-sign-recognition technology, and road-departure mitigation. The system was smoother and more refined than previous versions, particularly the adaptive cruise control. All Accord Hybrids also featured automatic high-beam headlights, a multi-angle reversing camera, and SmartVent front side airbags. EX trim and higher included a blind-spot-warning system with rear cross-traffic alert. The Accord received top ratings from the IIHS and a 5-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 MINI Cooper did not earn a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, though it received top "Good" ratings in crash tests and "Advanced" scores for front crash prevention. The car’s LATCH system earned a "Marginal" rating for ease of use. The NHTSA had not rated the 2021 model. Standard driver-assistance features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and rear parking sensors. Optional features included front parking sensors, a parking assistance system, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning.