2021 MINI Cooper vs 2020 Honda Accord

The 2020 Honda Accord was recognized as one of the most stylish models in the Accord's history, despite some mixed opinions on its front styling and rounded roofline. It was designed as a mainstream family sedan but carried an upscale appearance, especially when equipped with the 19-inch wheels available on the Sport and Touring trims. Other trims featured 17-inch wheels, which, while more economical in the long run, did not provide the same visual impact. The Accord was available in multiple trims, including LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring, with prices ranging from $24,270 to $36,400 MSRP. The Radiant Red paint and Ivory interior of the Touring trim added a luxurious touch, with high-quality materials and a convincingly upscale feel.

In contrast, the 2021 MINI Cooper was known for its iconic and immediately recognizable styling, rivaled only by the Jeep Wrangler. Its rounded shape, compact dimensions, and wide variety of color choices and customization options, including Union Jack graphics, set it apart in the subcompact car market. The interior continued the unique design language with circular shapes and a funky infotainment touchscreen. While the cabin was high quality, it lacked space, particularly in the back seats, which were more suitable for cargo than passengers. The MINI Cooper's interior was stylish but cramped, making it less practical for families or long trips.

The 2020 Honda Accord offered a range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission and front-wheel drive. This engine was adequate for most needs, but the 212-horsepower hybrid powertrain was the choice for those prioritizing fuel economy, averaging 42.6 mpg during testing. For those seeking more power, the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivered 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. The Accord 2.0T was quick and fun to drive, with adaptive dampers and sticky 19-inch tires enhancing its handling. However, the front-wheel-drive setup struggled to manage the power, and the brakes could use some improvement.

The 2021 MINI Cooper offered four powertrain options: a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with 134 horsepower, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 189 horsepower for the Cooper S, a 228-horsepower turbo-four for the John Cooper Works (JCW), and a 301-horsepower turbo-four for the John Cooper Works GP. All models featured front-wheel drive, with a six-speed manual standard for the Cooper and Cooper S, and an eight-speed automatic for the JCW GP. The MINI Cooper felt energetic and agile, especially with the more powerful engines, but had a stiff ride that could be uncomfortable on long drives. Fuel economy varied, with the most efficient model being the Convertible, delivering 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2020 Honda Accord was practically a full-size car, offering significantly more rear-seat legroom and cargo space compared to its competitors. The 12-way power driver's seat in the Touring trim was comfortable, with plenty of thigh support and both heating and ventilation. The back seat was exceptionally comfortable, with wide doors for easy access and ample thigh support. The trunk offered an impressive 16.7 cubic feet of space, perfect for long family trips. The interior featured plenty of storage space, clear instrumentation, and well-designed controls, making it a great place to spend time, except for the front passenger seat, which lacked a height adjuster.

The 2021 MINI Cooper's interior was more suited for cargo than passengers, with the rear seat being far more usable for storage. The front seats were comfortable with decent head and legroom, but taller drivers might find the dash shape problematic for knee placement. Interior storage was tight, with limited space in the center console and door pockets. The Cooper Hatchbacks offered decent cargo space with the back seats folded down, while the Convertible models had a small cargo hold under the folding top compartment, providing very little usable space in the back.

The 2020 Honda Accord featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, praised for its user-friendly design, volume and tuning knobs, and sensible steering wheel controls. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and text-messaging support. Higher trims added a ten-speaker premium sound system, HondaLink subscription services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, and wireless device charging. The head-up display in the Touring trim was visible even with polarized sunglasses. The Accord's infotainment system was easy to use, though it lacked natural voice recognition.

The 2021 MINI Cooper's base model came with a 6.5-inch screen, with an optional 8.8-inch unit that included SiriusXM satellite radio and Apple CarPlay. Optional features included a Harman Kardon sound system, automatic climate controls, and LED headlights. MINI's use of physical controls improved the technology experience, but the lack of Android Auto was a drawback. The infotainment system, borrowed from BMW, included a physical iDrive controller, but the tight space made it difficult to use, making touch control a more practical option.

The 2020 Honda Accord was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS and received five stars in every assessment by the NHTSA. It came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic sign recognition. However, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was only available on higher trims. The adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning systems could use some refinement.

The 2021 MINI Cooper did not receive a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, scoring "Good" in crash tests but "Acceptable" or "Poor" for headlights. The standard front crash prevention systems earned "Advanced" scores, and the LATCH system received a "Marginal" rating. The NHTSA had not rated the 2021 model. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and rear parking sensors, with optional features like front parking sensors, a parking assistance system, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning.