2020 MINI Cooper vs 2020 Nissan Versa

The 2020 MINI Cooper stood out on the road with its distinctive design, characterized by wide-eyed LED headlights and a grinning front grille. Its vibrant color options and Union Jack taillights added to its charm, making it a favorite among car enthusiasts. Despite its unique styling, the Cooper managed to avoid being wasteful or gaudy, exuding a sense of 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 development, offering similar performance and refinement levels as the S trim but with an electric motor. The SE maintained much of the design elements of the regular Cooper S, with slight modifications to accommodate the battery cells. Inside, the MINI Cooper's design was dominated by circular elements, providing a premium feel unmatched by other cars of its size.

The 2020 Nissan Versa, on the other hand, moved away from the "big car" styling of its predecessor, adopting a more handsome design inspired by its larger siblings, the Maxima and Altima. The Versa's styling was evocative of these larger cars without borrowing their large headlights or grille. Inside, the cabin resembled that of the Nissan Kicks, offering plenty of interior space for a subcompact sedan. The straightforward yet stylish cabin featured a two-tone theme with unique seat designs. The Versa was available in three trims: S, SV, and SR, each offering different features and upgrades. The SV trim, which was recommended by CarGurus, provided a good blend of price and content, although the cabin included some harsh plastics and lacked power-adjustable seats. Despite these drawbacks, the new Versa made significant improvements over its predecessor.

The 2020 MINI Cooper continued its legacy of nimble quickness and corner-carving prowess, with the front-wheel-drive Cooper S and the John Cooper Works (JCW) trim offering impressive performance. The electric Cooper SE excelled with its 181 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, powered by a 32.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack. Although slightly below the Cooper S's 189 hp and 207 lb-ft from its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, the SE's immediate torque delivery made it feel just as quick. The SE also featured regenerative braking, which helped keep the battery charged, although some drivers might prefer the less aggressive setting. Despite a weight penalty due to the battery, 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 or an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the SE used a single-speed gearbox.

The 2020 Nissan Versa featured a revised 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque, an improvement over the previous generation's 109 hp and 107 lb-ft. This engine powered the front wheels through either a 5-speed manual or a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The CVT, standard on the SV and SR trims, managed power well and offered a Sport mode for livelier performance. The Versa's steering was responsive, and the car handled well, although it leaned at higher speeds. Fuel economy was decent, with the manual transmission returning 27 mpg city, 35 highway, and 30 combined, while the CVT offered 32/40/35. In real-world driving, the Versa achieved 34.7 mpg.

The 2020 MINI Cooper hatchback was not ideal for carpooling or long 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 cubes, and the SE trim maintained the same interior space. Despite its compact size, the Cooper featured thoughtful design elements, such as two-zone automatic air conditioning and chrome toggle switches. The materials used in the Cooper were of high quality, reflecting BMW's investment in the MINI brand.

The 2020 Nissan Versa retained the previous generation's trunk size, offering 15 cubic feet of space, one of the largest in its class. However, the new Versa lost 6 inches of rear legroom, making it less suitable for carpooling or ridesharing. The front seats, on the other hand, provided ample legroom, even for taller drivers. While the hatchback body style was not available, it could return in the future. Overall, the Versa offered a spacious and comfortable interior for a personal commuter car.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE featured an "eDrive" driver-information display, which moved with the steering wheel adjustments. The display provided information on vehicle speed, time, mileage, remaining charge, and drive mode. The SE's 32.6-kilowatt-hour battery offered a range of 110 miles, suitable for urban drivers. The 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display included Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, and Apple CarPlay. The SE Iconic trim offered an 8.8-inch screen, wireless charging pad, and head-up display.

The 2020 Nissan Versa stepped up its game with a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, Siri Eyes Free, and a hands-free text-messaging assistant. The SV trim featured the upgraded NissanConnect system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SV also had an upgraded instrument panel with a digital screen, offering various functions such as safety alerts, Bluetooth streaming audio, and fuel-economy stats. The Versa's technology seamlessly integrated into daily life, providing a user-friendly experience.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE 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 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), although it was not rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2020 Nissan Versa added a host of standard driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. These features were part of a trend to make driver-assistance systems available in all cars and trims. However, the increased cost of repairs due to these systems could raise insurance rates. Other standard safety features included a reversing camera, front- and side-impact airbags, and Nissan's Easy Fill Tire Alert.