2020 Lexus ES vs 2020 MINI Cooper

The 2020 MINI Cooper stood out on the road with its unique design, featuring wide-eyed LED headlights, a grinning front grille, and vibrant color options. The Union Jack taillights added a touch of charm, making it an enthusiast's favorite without being wasteful or gaudy. Initially available as a two-door hardtop, the MINI Cooper evolved to include a convertible variant, a four-door body style, and an all-electric SE trim. The SE maintained the classic Cooper S design but sat slightly higher to accommodate the battery cells. Inside, the MINI Cooper's circular design elements and premium materials provided a refined feel unmatched in cars of its size.

In contrast, the 2020 Lexus ES transformed from its earlier "boring" label to a more aggressive look with a large spindle grille and thin taillamps. The cabin elegantly blended modern technology with soft-touch materials, featuring a large infotainment screen integrated into the dash. The ES offered various trims, including the base 350 FWD, Luxury, Ultra Luxury, and F Sport, each with its own set of standard and optional features. The F Sport trim, in particular, added unique exterior and interior elements, enhancing its sporty appeal.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE excelled in performance with its 181-horsepower electric motor and 199 pound-feet of torque, powered by a 32.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack. This setup provided quick acceleration, comparable to the gas-powered Cooper S's 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, which generated 189 hp and 207 lb-ft. The SE's regenerative braking system helped keep the battery charged, though it added about 300 pounds to the car's weight. Despite this, the SE maintained a low center of gravity, ensuring a planted feel in corners. The SE used a single-speed gearbox, while gas-powered Coopers offered either a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic or an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The 2020 Lexus ES came equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. This combination allowed the ES to achieve a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 131 mph. The ES prioritized a comfortable and refined ride, with the F Sport trim offering an optional Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) for enhanced driving dynamics. The AVS added a Sport+ mode, which stiffened the suspension and quickened steering response, making the ES more engaging to drive.

The 2020 MINI Cooper hatchback offered good front-seat space, but the backseat was best suited for children. Cargo space was limited, with 8.7 cubic feet in the two-door model and 13.1 cubic feet in the four-door version. The Convertible provided only 5.7 cubic feet. Dropping the rear seats in the SE trim increased cargo space to 25.8 cubic feet. Despite its small size, the MINI Cooper featured thoughtful design elements, such as two-zone automatic air conditioning and chrome toggle switches on the dashboard.

The 2020 Lexus ES boasted a spacious cabin with ample head- and legroom in both rows. The front doors had deep pockets, and the center console offered multiple storage options. The ES provided 16.7 cubic feet of trunk space, which was mid-pack for the midsize luxury segment. However, the rear seats did not fold down, limiting the ability to carry larger items. The ES's interior was well-designed, with high-quality materials and a focus on comfort.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE featured an "eDrive" driver-information display, which moved with the steering-wheel adjustments. The display showed vehicle speed, time, mileage, remaining charge, and drive mode. The SE's 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display included Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, and Apple CarPlay. The top-tier SE Iconic trim added an 8.8-inch screen, a wireless charging pad, and a head-up display.

The 2020 Lexus ES utilized the Lexus Remote Touch system, controlling the standard 8-inch or available 12.3-inch display. The system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it easier to use smartphone features. The ES also offered a 10-speaker premium audio system, with an optional 17-speaker Mark Levinson stereo system. A head-up display was available, providing crisp graphics and customization options.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE lacked many advanced safety features, offering only front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera. Forward-collision warning was standard, but automatic emergency braking was unavailable. The IIHS rated the MINI Cooper highly, with "Good" scores in all crash tests, but the NHTSA had not rated it.

The 2020 Lexus ES came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which included forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, dynamic radar cruise control, and automatic high beams. The system also featured pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, and lane-tracing assist. The ES included a full array of airbags, traction control, stability control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.