2020 Hyundai Elantra vs 2020 MINI Cooper

The 2020 MINI Cooper was a standout on the road, with its distinctive design that was unmistakably MINI. Its wide-eyed LED headlights and grinning front grille added to its charm, while vibrant color options and Union Jack taillights made it a favorite among enthusiasts. Despite its unique styling, the Cooper managed to avoid being wasteful or gaudy, exuding a charm that invited admiration. Over the years, the MINI Cooper evolved from a two-door hardtop to include a convertible variant and a four-door body style. The introduction of the all-electric SE trim marked a significant step, offering performance and refinement similar to the Cooper S but with an electric motor. The SE maintained much of the Cooper S's design, with slight modifications to accommodate the battery, making it difficult to distinguish from its gas-powered counterparts.

In contrast, the 2020 Hyundai Elantra retained its bold restyling from 2019, featuring a geometric-influenced appearance that set the stage for the upcoming 2021 model. Available in six versions, the Elantra offered a range of options from the base SE to the sporty Sport trim. The Elantra Limited test vehicle, with its black paint job, highlighted the car's angular design elements, creating a stylish yet potentially divisive look. Inside, the Elantra's interior received updates to enhance its upscale feel, with silver trim and leather upholstery in the Limited trim. Despite some hard plastics, the Elantra provided a comfortable and stylish environment for its occupants.

The 2020 MINI Cooper was renowned for its nimble quickness and ability to carve corners with ease. The Cooper SE, with its 181-horsepower electric motor and 199 pound-feet of torque, delivered impressive performance, closely matching the Cooper S's 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, which produced 189 hp and 207 lb-ft. The SE's electric motor provided immediate torque delivery, making it feel quick off the line. Regenerative braking helped maintain the battery charge, with an aggressive default setting that allowed for one-pedal driving. Despite the SE's additional weight due to the battery, its low center of gravity and direct steering ensured a classic MINI driving experience. 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 John Cooper Works trim.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra featured a base 147-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a new continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Elantra Eco model offered a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine with 128 horsepower and 156 lb-ft of torque, while the Sport trim boasted a 1.6-liter turbo engine with 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. The Elantra's CVT, known as the "Intelligent Variable Transmission," provided smooth simulated gear shifts, enhancing the driving experience. However, real-world fuel efficiency fell short of expectations, with the test car averaging 29.3 mpg. The Elantra's torsion beam axle rear suspension detracted from ride quality, but the Sport trim's independent suspension offered a superior experience. Overall, the Elantra was a practical choice for commuting, though the Sport trim provided more driving enjoyment.

The 2020 MINI Cooper hatchback was not designed for carpooling or long 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 cubic feet of cargo space. Folding the rear seats in the SE trim increased cargo capacity to 25.8 cubic feet, still less than competitors like the Volkswagen Golf. Despite its compact size, the MINI Cooper featured thoughtful design elements, such as two-zone automatic air conditioning and ergonomic controls. The interior materials were of high quality, reflecting BMW's investment in the brand.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra offered more interior space, comfortably accommodating four adults, with a fifth person fitting for short trips. The Limited trim included power driver's seat adjustment, leather upholstery, and a sliding center console armrest for added comfort. All Elantras featured a dual-zone automatic climate control system, though rear passengers lacked air conditioning vents. The Elantra's trunk provided 14.4 cubic feet of space, comparable to some midsize sedans. Interior storage was well-proportioned for a compact car, and thoughtful touches like the interior grab handle inside the trunk lid added convenience.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE featured an "eDrive" driver-information display that moved with the steering wheel adjustments, displaying critical information such as speed, mileage, and remaining charge. 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, enhancing the tech experience.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra came standard with a touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, and a USB port. The base SE trim had a 5-inch screen, while the SEL trim featured a 7-inch display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Limited trim added wireless smartphone charging and a premium Infinity sound system. The Ultimate Package increased the touchscreen size to 8 inches and included navigation and additional services. The Elantra's infotainment system was user-friendly, with shortcut buttons and knobs for easy navigation, and the Infinity sound system impressed with its audio quality.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE lacked many advanced safety features, with only forward-collision warning as standard. The car's rear-view camera and parking sensors were helpful, but automatic emergency braking was unavailable. The MINI Cooper received "Good" scores in all crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), though it was unrated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra included Hyundai Smart Sense as standard, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and a driver attention monitor. Higher trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and full LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation. The Ultimate Package included adaptive cruise control and pedestrian detection. The Elantra earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though there was a concern about rear-door intrusion in side-impact tests.