2020 Honda Civic vs 2020 MINI Cooper

The 2020 MINI Cooper was a standout on the road with its distinctive design, characterized by wide-eyed LED-ringed headlights and a grinning front grille. Its vibrant color options and Union Jack taillights added to its charm, making it an enthusiast's delight without being wasteful or gaudy. The MINI Cooper evolved from its original two-door hardtop to include a convertible and a four-door body style, and even introduced an all-electric SE trim. The SE maintained much of the Cooper S's design, with a slightly higher stance to accommodate the battery cells, and featured unique paint schemes and EV-exclusive wheels. Inside, the MINI Cooper's design was dominated by circular elements, from the speakers to the infotainment system, offering a premium feel unmatched in its size category.

The 2020 Honda Civic was the crown jewel of Honda's lineup, offering a compact car with a level of engineering excellence typically found in more expensive brands. It came in three body styles—sedan, coupe, and hatchback—each with a sharp design that emphasized its low and wide stance. The Civic's exterior was visually stimulating, with body panel creases and sweeping LED taillights, while the hatchback's tall rump added a quirky touch. The 2019 model year brought upgrades to the grilles, bumpers, and wheels, which carried over to 2020. The Civic Si featured new matte-black 18-inch wheels and LED fog lights, while the hatchback received new bumper and light changes. Inside, the Civic's simple interior was built with high-quality materials, offering a pleasing aesthetic with gloss-black trim and revised sport seats in the Si model.

The 2020 MINI Cooper continued its legacy of nimble quickness and corner-carving prowess, with the SE trim excelling in performance. The electric motor delivered 181 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, just below the Cooper S's 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 189 hp and 207 lb-ft. The SE's immediacy in torque delivery made it feel quick off the line, and it used regenerative braking to maintain battery charge. Despite a 300-pound weight penalty due to the battery, the SE's low center of gravity helped it remain planted in corners. Gas-powered Coopers offered a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic or an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the SE used a single-speed gearbox.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered four engines and two transmissions across its lineup, all front-wheel drive. The base LX and Sport had a 2.0-liter engine with 158 hp and 138 lb-ft, paired with a 6-speed manual or CVT. The EX and above trims featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine with 174 hp and 162 lb-ft, with the hatchbacks in Sport or Sport Touring making 180 hp. The Si model boosted the 1.5-liter engine to 205 hp and 192 lb-ft, while the Type R delivered 306 hp and 295 lb-ft. The Civic Si and Type R came exclusively with a stick-shift, offering a thrilling driving experience. The Si's adaptive dampers and precise steering made it a balanced and direct performer, while the Type R was remarkably composed despite its power. The Si's final-drive ratio was reduced for better acceleration, though it slightly impacted fuel economy.

The 2020 MINI Cooper hatchback was not ideal for carpooling or road trips, with limited rear-seat space 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, and the SE trim maintained the same interior space. Despite its compact size, the MINI Cooper was thoughtfully designed, with two-zone automatic air conditioning and ergonomic features like chrome toggle switches and a well-crafted steering wheel.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered a roomy interior, with the hatchback featuring more sound insulation and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat on EX models. The steering wheel had controls for the central display and instrument panel, while the center console offered configurable storage. The Civic's rear passenger space was generous, though it lacked rear air vents. The sedan's trunk provided 15 cubic feet of cargo space, while the coupe had 12 cubic feet. The hatchback offered 26 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 46 cubic feet with them folded down, making it a practical choice for carrying larger items.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE featured an "eDrive" driver-information display that moved with steering-wheel adjustments, displaying critical info like vehicle speed and remaining range. The SE's 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display included Bluetooth, navigation, and Apple CarPlay, with an 8.8-inch screen available on the SE Iconic trim. The top-tier SE also offered a wireless charging pad and a head-up display.

The 2020 Honda Civic's infotainment system was outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen standard on all models except the base LX. It included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with Garmin-based navigation on top-end trims. The Civic Si featured Active Sound Control, push-button start, keyless entry, and a power moonroof. LaneWatch provided a live feed of the blind spot, and automatic climate control was standard. Honda Sensing offered advanced safety features, while leather upholstery and rain-sensing wipers were available on higher trims.

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 IIHS rated the MINI Cooper with top "Good" scores in all crash tests, though the NHTSA had not rated it.

The 2020 Honda Civic came with Honda Sensing, offering forward collision warning, emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with "Good" ratings in all crash tests. The NHTSA rated the Civic five stars in all categories, except for four stars in the passenger frontal crash rating on the coupe.