2020 MINI Cooper vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

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 were a crowd favorite, adding to the car's charm without appearing 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 trim maintained the classic MINI design but sat slightly higher to accommodate the battery cells. Inside, the MINI Cooper's design was dominated by circular elements, from the speakers to the air vents, and the premium feel was unmatched in cars of its size.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, available in sedan, wagon, coupe, or cabriolet, featured a smooth, rounded body reminiscent of earlier generations. Its resemblance to the larger S-Class and smaller C-Class made it recognizable and respectable. The sedan looked especially rich with the hood ornament and thin-laced chrome grille, while most models sported a large Mercedes emblem in the center. LED lighting was delicate, and the car's proportions were visually appealing. The cabriolet's contrasting soft top revealed a sumptuous interior with multi-tone leathers, aluminum, and deep-polished wood. The two feet of high-res digital screens, circular air vents, and ambient lighting in 64 colors added to the luxurious feel.

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. These figures were just below the Cooper S’s 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, which generated 189 hp and 207 lb-ft. The SE felt quick off the line due to the immediacy of the electric motor's torque delivery. The SE also featured regenerative braking, which helped keep the battery charged. Despite weighing roughly 300 pounds more than the Cooper S, the SE maintained a low center of gravity, providing a planted feel in corners. Gas-powered Coopers offered either a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission or an eight-speed automatic, while the SE used a single-speed gearbox.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered a range of engines, starting with the E350's 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The E450 featured a 3.0-liter V6 with 362 hp and 369 lb-ft, providing effortless everyday performance. The AMG E53 added an electric motor-generator to the V6 for 429 hp and 384 lb-ft, while the AMG E63 S's 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 delivered 603 hp and 627 lb-ft. All-wheel drive was standard across the lineup, except for the E350 sedan and E450 coupe/cabriolet, where it was optional. Fuel economy varied between 19 to 23 mpg city and 26 to 32 highway, depending on the powertrain and body style.

The 2020 MINI Cooper hatchback was not ideal for carpooling, road trips, or home-improvement projects. Front-seat space was good, but the backseat was tiny and 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. Dropping the rear seats in the SE trim provided a maximum of 25.8 cubic feet. Despite the limited space, the MINI Cooper was thoughtfully designed with two-zone automatic air conditioning, chrome toggle switches, and ergonomic steering wheel. The materials felt top-notch, reflecting BMW's investment in the MINI brand.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a complicated COMAND infotainment system on its huge screens, which were not touchscreens. The system could be distracting, but the E-Class felt functional with seat and seat climate controls on the door panels and plenty of space in every dimension. The coupe had a usable rear seat with its own rear window controls, and the wagon included a rear-facing jump seat for small children. The digital dash could be reconfigured, and the gauges were clear and high-res. The car also had practical features like a net in the front passenger footwell for water bottles and concealed cupholders and wireless charging pad.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE featured an “eDrive” driver-information display connected to the steering wheel, which could be adjusted via seat controls. The eDrive screen displayed vehicle speed, time, mileage, remaining charge, and drive mode. The SE had a 32.6-kilowatt-hour battery with an EPA-estimated range of 110 miles. The 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display included Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, and Apple CarPlay. The SE was available in three levels—Signature, Signature Plus, and Iconic—with the top-tier SE Iconic offering an 8.8-inch screen, wireless charging pad, and head-up display.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class boasted sensational tech, including a semi-automated driving system that could steer itself, change lanes, and sense obstacles. The Driver Assistance Package offered a comprehensive list of features. The V2X system communicated with nearby Mercedes models about road hazards. The dash could be reconfigured, and the Burmester stereo provided surround-sound modes. The front camera activated automatically when pulling into a space, and the Energizing Comfort Package adjusted climate settings and lighting to match preset moods. AMG models included a Track Pace app for race track guidance.

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

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan and wagon received a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. The coupe and cabriolet models had not been tested but were considered equally safe. The E-Class featured innovations like Pre-Safe Sound, side bolsters that inflated during a side collision, and steering and brakes that countered crosswinds. Forward emergency braking, a driver attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring were standard, with 14 other driver-assist features available as options.