2020 MINI Cooper vs 2021 BMW 3 Series

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, and it offered unique paint schemes 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. The SE trim, in particular, offered a similar level of performance and refinement as the Cooper S, with the added benefit of an electric motor.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series returned to its traditional familial look, resembling a smaller version of the 5 Series and 7 Series sedans. However, the G20 3 Series appeared stuffy compared to the iconic E30 design. The large, oddly-shaped grille looked fine on the larger 5 Series but seemed out of place on the smaller sedan. Despite this, the badge on the hood remained a significant draw for customers. Our test car featured M 19-inch wheels and blue-painted brake calipers, part of the optional M Sport trim package, while the standard Sport Line trim package included 18-inch wheels.

The interior design was nice but marred by unimpressive materials. Our test car had plastic trim and Ash wood trim that looked fake. Leather upholstery was an optional extra, with synthetic Sensatec material as standard. The optional M heated steering wheel looked out of place in the otherwise conservatively styled interior.

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 just as quick accelerating from a stop due to the immediacy of the electric motor's torque delivery. The SE also used regenerative braking to help keep its battery charged, with an aggressive default setting that some drivers might find too abrupt.

The SE trim weighed roughly 300 pounds more than the Cooper S due to the battery pack, but the low center of gravity helped maintain the classic MINI driving experience. Gas-powered Coopers used either a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission or an eight-speed automatic in the John Cooper Works trim. The SE used a single-speed gearbox, and no manual transmission was offered for 2020, though a six-speed manual was set to return in 2021.

The base 2021 BMW 330i was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The 330e plug-in hybrid combined a less-powerful version of that engine with electric assist for a total output of 288 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, with an XtraBoost overboost function. The BMW M340i featured a turbo inline-six, producing 382 hp and 369 lb-ft. All three powertrains were available with rear-wheel drive or xDrive all-wheel drive, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The M340i could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, while the base 330i took 5.6 seconds. Despite the extra weight of the battery pack, the RWD 330e matched the zero to 60 mph time of its gasoline counterpart. However, the transition from electric to gasoline power was clunky, and the driving experience felt less engaging than past 3 Series models. The chassis provided a comfortable highway ride and excellent handling, but the overall driving experience lacked the fun and engagement expected from a 3 Series.

The 2020 MINI Cooper hatchback was not ideal for carpooling, road trips, or home-improvement projects. Front-seat space was good, and the big 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 model provided 13.1 cubic feet. The Convertible had only 5.7 cubic feet of cargo space. Dropping the rear seats in the SE trim provided a maximum of 25.8 cubic feet, still less than half of what a Volkswagen Golf offered with its seats folded.

Despite the limited space, the MINI Cooper was thoughtfully designed. It featured two-zone automatic air conditioning, an efficient heating system, and chrome toggle switches on the dashboard. The steering wheel was ergonomic, and the materials felt top-notch, reflecting BMW's investment in the MINI brand.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series offered better interior space than most small luxury sedans. Rear headroom was the best in the segment, and front headroom was above average. Legroom in both rows was about average, and the 3 Series lacked the generous shoulder room of the Acura TLX. Gasoline 3 Series models had 17 cubic feet of cargo space, but the 330e plug-in hybrid's battery pack reduced the trunk space to 13.2 cubic feet. The trunk's long-and-narrow shape required an awkward reach to maximize the space, but a 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat was standard.

The 3 Series cockpit was well-designed, with a touchscreen positioned for easy reach and good outward visibility. The driving experience may have been less engaging, but the interior setup made driving easier and more comfortable.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE featured a unique "eDrive" driver-information display connected to the steering wheel, which moved up and down with the steering-wheel adjustments. The eDrive screen displayed vehicle speed, time, mileage, remaining charge, and drive mode. The 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display was housed in a circular housing in the center of the dash, including 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.

The standard BMW iDrive infotainment system in the 2021 3 Series included an 8.8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and a pair of USB ports. Gasoline models had both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the 330e only had CarPlay. The optional Live Cockpit Professional system added a digital instrument cluster, navigation, and a head-up display. The infotainment system was premium, with high-quality graphics and responsive controls. BMW provided multiple control options, including the iDrive controller, steering wheel controls, voice assistant, and gesture controls.

The 2020 MINI Cooper 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 MINI Cooper received top marks from the IIHS, earning "Good" scores in all crash tests, but the NHTSA had not rated it.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series received a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS, with top "Good" scores in all crash tests. However, headlight scores were mixed, and the optional Active Driving Assistant Professional system scored lower in vehicle-to-pedestrian front-crash prevention. The NHTSA had not published safety ratings for the 2021 3 Series. Standard driver-assist features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The Driving Assistant Professional Package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and automated lane centering.