2020 MINI Cooper vs 2020 Nissan Sentra

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-pleaser, 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 design elements of the Cooper S but sat slightly higher to accommodate the battery cells. Inside, the MINI Cooper's design was dominated by circles, with a premium feel unmatched in cars of its size.

In contrast, the 2020 Nissan Sentra transformed from its traditionally dowdy appearance to a more appealing design. The new Sentra, especially in Electric Blue paint, looked like a scaled-down Altima, feeling bigger than it was. The car was 2 inches lower and wider than its predecessor, with detailed stampings and a V-shaped grille motif that looked mature and recognizable. The interior featured a flat-bottom leather steering wheel, white-stitched leatherette dash, and knurled climate knobs, giving it an entry-level luxury feel. The SV Premium Package offered quilted tan leather seats and Infiniti-grade materials, making the Sentra's interior close to the classiest non-luxury compact interiors.

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 was 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 due to the immediacy of the electric motor's torque delivery and used regenerative braking to help keep its battery charged. Despite weighing 300 pounds more than the Cooper S, the SE's low center of gravity helped it feel planted in corners. Gas-powered Coopers used either a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission or an eight-speed automatic, while the SE used a single-speed gearbox.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra, on the other hand, featured a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine making 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, sent to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT mimicked gear changes of a conventional automatic and was smooth and responsive. The Sentra's steering response and handling were high points, with an independent suspension replacing the torsion beam rear axle. Fuel economy was EPA rated at 29 mpg city, 39 highway, and 33 combined. The Sentra's ride quality was agreeable, and the steering was quick with good on-center feel, making it a supportive and comfortable drive.

The 2020 MINI Cooper hatchback was not ideal for carpooling or road trips, with good front-seat space but a predictably tiny backseat 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 limited space, the MINI Cooper was thoughtfully designed with two-zone automatic air conditioning, chrome toggle switches, and top-notch materials, reflecting BMW's investment in the brand.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra offered a surprisingly useful backseat, with ample space for a 5-foot-11 passenger. The front seats featured Nissan’s Zero Gravity cushioning, reducing fatigue on long drives. The lowered body profile improved side visibility, though the rear window was raked and partially blocked by headrests. The trunk space measured 14.3 cubic feet, slightly less than the previous model but still large for a small car. The Sentra's interior was comfortable, with easily accessible controls and a practical design.

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 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display included Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, and Apple CarPlay. The SE Iconic trim offered an 8.8-inch screen, a wireless charging pad, and a head-up display, enhancing the tech experience.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra did not offer ProPilot, navigation, or wireless charging, but it included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and WiFi on the mid-level SV. The SV also brought dual-zone climate control, proximity-entry key, adaptive cruise control, and remote engine start. The SV Premium Package added bright LED headlights, a Bose stereo, sunroof, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, and 360-degree cameras, making it a well-equipped option.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE lacked advanced safety features, with only front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera system included in the Iconic package. Forward-collision warning was standard, but automatic emergency braking was unavailable. The IIHS rated the MINI Cooper with top marks, earning "Good" scores in all crash tests.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra included rear side airbags, knee airbags for the driver and front passenger, forward and reverse emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, auto high beams, and a driver attention monitor as standard. CarGurus expected top ratings in all categories from NHTSA and IIHS.