2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vs 2020 MINI Cooper

The 2020 MINI Cooper was a distinctive presence on the road, with its wide-eyed LED-ringed headlights and a front grille that seemed to grin. Its vibrant color options and Union Jack taillights added to its charm, making it a favorite among enthusiasts. Despite its unique styling, the Cooper managed to avoid being wasteful or gaudy, exuding a charm that invited praise. 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 similar performance and refinement levels as the S trim but with an electric motor. The SE maintained much of the regular Cooper S design, with slight modifications to accommodate the battery, such as sitting slightly higher off the road. Inside, the MINI Cooper's design was dominated by circles, from the speakers to the air vents, and it delivered a premium feel unmatched in cars of its size.

The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid was a head-turner, with its long and elegant design that drew compliments even from non-car enthusiasts. Its sleek, fastback profile and tailored body were stunning for a mainstream family car. The Sonata's transformation was remarkable, with design chief Peter Schreyer and ex-Bentley chief Luc Donckerwolfe elevating Hyundai's design to new heights. The Sonata featured the coolest LED running lights, starting under the headlights and cutting upwards onto the hood, fading into bright chrome trim. The Hybrid version included unique turbine-style wheels, a redesigned grille, and the option of a solar roof. Inside, the Sonata boasted a better-made and better-designed interior than many luxury brands, with big screens, wide air vents, and slick ambient lighting. The Sonata Hybrid's interior felt special and unique, offering a level of luxury that was hard to match.

The 2020 MINI Cooper had a storied reputation for performance, focusing on nimble quickness and cornering rather than outright speed. The Cooper S continued this tradition with its 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, producing 189 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. The electric SE trim offered 181 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque, with a 32.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack. Despite slightly lower figures than the Cooper S, the SE's immediate torque delivery made it feel just as quick. The SE also featured regenerative braking, which some drivers found aggressive, but it helped keep the battery charged. The SE weighed about 300 pounds more than the Cooper S due to the battery, but its low center of gravity maintained the 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 JCW trim.

The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid used a 2.0-liter engine running on the Atkinson cycle, producing 150 horsepower and 139 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 51-hp electric motor and a 1.5-kilowatt-hour battery, the total output was 192 hp. The Sonata Hybrid felt light on its 17-inch tires, with a six-speed automatic transmission providing more normal-feeling acceleration than a CVT. The gearbox occasionally hesitated, but the Sonata Hybrid's silent interior, plush ride, and competent chassis overshadowed this. The suspension was soft but not floaty, and the steering was light and well-tracked. The Hybrid's powertrain kept the engine active at lower speeds, but it turned on and off smoothly. The Blue trim offered the best fuel efficiency, with 50 mpg city, 54 mpg highway, and 52 mpg combined. The SEL and Limited trims returned slightly lower figures but offered more features.

The 2020 MINI Cooper 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, 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 efficient heating. The interior featured chrome toggle switches, an ergonomic steering wheel, and high-quality materials, reflecting BMW's investment in the brand.

The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited trim featured solar panels that could generate extra driving range and run the air conditioning when parked. The rear-seat legroom was spacious, with vents, manual side-window shades, and heated seats. Cargo space was generous at 16 cubic feet, with a trunk that opened with a hidden button. Visibility was excellent, enhanced by 360-degree cameras. The push-button gear selector was intuitive, and the center stack included dual-zone climate control and a wireless charging pad. The Limited trim offered a high-res digital dash and a 10-inch touchscreen with sophisticated software.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE featured an “eDrive” driver-information display connected to the steering wheel, displaying vehicle speed, time, mileage, remaining charge, and drive mode. The SE's 32.6-kilowatt-hour battery offered a range of 110 miles, appealing to urban drivers. The 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 included a wireless charging pad and a head-up display.

The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited trim featured a new infotainment system with a soothing color scheme and attractive typefaces. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Hyundai Blue Link were standard, along with a digital key for unlocking and starting the vehicle. The turn signals displayed live camera feeds of blind spots, and the trunk opened automatically with the key in your pocket. Voice recognition and online searches were fast, and the car could detect windshield washer fluid use. Highway Driving Assist provided semi-automated driving, with detailed info displayed on the head-up display.

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 MINI Cooper received "Good" scores in all crash tests from the IIHS, but the NHTSA had not rated it.

The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four stars in a frontal crash. The regular Sonata was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, with top ratings in six crash tests. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Limited trim offered parking sensors and Highway Driving Assist, with a driver's knee airbag standard.