2021 Acura TLX 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 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 Cooper S design but sat slightly higher to accommodate the battery cells, offering a unique paint scheme and EV-exclusive wheels.

Inside, the MINI Cooper's design was dominated by circular elements, from the speakers and air vents to the door handles and the massive circular housing for the touchscreen infotainment system. The interior delivered a premium feel, unmatched by other cars of its size, with high-quality materials and a refined finish. The SE trim, in particular, offered a similar level of performance and refinement as the Cooper S, but with an electric motor and battery.

The 2021 Acura TLX was a sporty sedan with an assertive stance, characterized by a steeply raked windshield, fastback-style roofline, and integrated tail spoiler. Its bold face featured a grille pattern that radiated from the central Acura logo, flanked by "jewel eye" LED headlights. Twin trapezoidal tailpipes and top-notch paint quality, along with tasteful badging and chrome accents, enhanced its premium look. Inside, the TLX boasted a "sport sedan cockpit" with authentic materials like metal, leather, and wood, and a well-organized dash with tight gaps and matching fonts.

The 10.2-inch landscape-oriented infotainment screen was neatly mounted at the top of the center stack, giving it a floating appearance. The interior quality and attention to detail were evident, with comfortable, supportive sport bucket seats available in perforated Milano leather. The rear seat offered adequate head- and legroom for two adults, while the center position was best for short trips. The trunk provided a generous 13.5 cubic feet of cargo space, with a 47.6-inch-wide opening and 42.4 inches of depth.

The 2020 MINI Cooper had a long-standing reputation for nimble quickness and corner-carving abilities, rather than outright speed. The front-wheel-drive Cooper S continued this legacy, with the John Cooper Works (JCW) trim offering even more impressive performance. The electric Cooper SE featured an electric motor with 181 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, powered by a 32.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack. These figures were slightly below the Cooper S's 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, which produced 189 hp and 207 lb-ft, but the SE's immediate torque delivery made it feel just as quick.

The SE also utilized regenerative braking to help keep its battery charged, with an aggressive default setting that allowed for one-pedal driving. The SE's battery pack added roughly 300 pounds to the car's weight, but its low center of gravity helped maintain the classic MINI driving experience. Gas-powered Coopers offered either a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission or an eight-speed automatic in the JCW trim, while the SE used a single-speed gearbox. For 2020, no manual transmission was available, but a six-speed manual was set to return in 2021.

The 2021 Acura TLX featured a new turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. It used a drive-by-wire throttle system and a shift-by-wire connection to its standard 10-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) available on all models. The EPA estimated fuel economy at 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined for FWD models, and 21/29/24 combined for AWD.

The TLX's performance was enhanced by its Integrated Dynamics System, which adjusted parameters based on the selected drive mode (Comfort, Normal, Sport, or Individual). The Advance package added adaptive dampers for a customizable ride. The TLX's solid and substantial feel was attributed to its increased torsional stiffness and rigidity at the suspension mounts. During a test drive in Michigan, the TLX demonstrated eager, sprightly handling and inspiring performance, with Sport mode taming turbo lag and delivering a richer exhaust note.

The 2020 MINI Cooper hatchback was not ideal for carpooling, road trips, or large cargo loads. Front-seat space was good, and the large greenhouse provided an open feel, 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 variant provided 13.1 cubic feet. The Convertible had only 5.7 cubic feet, and folding the rear seats in the SE trim increased cargo space to 25.8 cubic feet. Despite the limited space, the MINI Cooper was thoughtfully designed, with two-zone automatic air conditioning, chrome toggle switches, and high-quality materials.

The 2021 Acura TLX's shift-by-wire transmission allowed for a reimagined center console, with low-profile controls and paddle shifters on the steering wheel. The center console housed the infotainment interface, a mini touchpad, and two cupholders, with additional bottle holders in the door panels. The rear seat was comfortable for two adults, with adequate head- and legroom, while the front seats offered 12-way power adjustability and available perforated Milano leather. The second row folded down in a 60/40 split, providing access to the trunk's 13.5 cubic feet of cargo space.

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 provided an EPA-estimated range of 110 miles, which was less competitive than other electric vehicles but suitable for urban drivers. The 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display included Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, and Apple CarPlay, with an 8.8-inch screen available on the SE Iconic trim. The top-tier SE also offered a wireless charging pad and a head-up display.

The 2021 Acura TLX was loaded with technology, including drive-by-wire, shift-by-wire, and SH-AWD. The 10-speed automatic transmission featured Grade Logic Control, Shift Hold Control, and Cornering G Shift Control, enhancing performance without driver intervention. The TLX also offered multiple ambient interior lighting themes and the ELS Studio 3D 17-speaker premium audio system, delivering exceptional sound quality. The infotainment system included Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming, Siri Eyes Free, SMS Text Messaging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Advance Package added a head-up display and a G-Meter and Turbo Boost Indicator on the instrument panel.

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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not rated the MINI Cooper, but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it top marks with "Good" scores in all crash tests.

The 2021 Acura TLX came with the AcuraWatch suite of driver-assistance technologies, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Additional safety features included a pedestrian injury mitigation design, ACE body structure, ultra-high-strength steel front door stiffener rings, a full complement of airbags, and a multi-angle rear-view camera system. New for 2021 were a next-generation front-passenger airbag, passenger knee airbag, pedestrian sensing and autonomous emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and a driver attention monitor. The TLX had not yet been tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the previous generation received an "Acceptable" rating from IIHS and a five-star rating from NHTSA.