2020 MINI Cooper vs 2021 BMW 5 Series

The 2020 MINI Cooper was a standout on the road with its unique 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 distinctive styling, the Cooper managed to avoid being 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 performance and refinement similar to the Cooper S but with an electric motor. The SE maintained the classic Cooper design, with slight modifications to accommodate the battery, and featured unique paint schemes and EV-exclusive wheels.

In contrast, the 2021 BMW 5 Series had a more restrained design, lacking the flourishes of the 3 Series or the imposing size of the 7 Series. The 5 Series received a minor styling refresh for 2021, resulting in a sleeker look with streamlined LED headlights and a larger, yet not overly large, twin-kidney grille. Additional changes included trapezoidal tailpipes, new L-shaped taillights, and updated bumpers for the M Sport Package. The interior retained the familiar BMW layout, with specific design elements that reinforced the brand's identity. While the 5 Series offered a prestigious badge, lower trim levels featured standard SensaTec upholstery, with options for Dakota and Nappa leather at an additional cost. The 540i xDrive test car boasted Nappa leather and aluminum trim, enhancing its high-end feel, though the sporty steering wheel felt somewhat out of place.

The 2020 MINI Cooper was renowned for its nimble quickness and ability to carve corners, a legacy dating back to its success in the 1960s European Touring Car Championship. The Cooper SE, with its 181 horsepower electric motor and 199 pound-feet of torque, delivered impressive performance, closely matching the Cooper S's 189 hp and 207 lb-ft from its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. The SE's electric motor provided immediate torque delivery, making it feel quick off the line. Despite a 300-pound weight penalty due to the battery, the SE maintained a low center of gravity, ensuring a classic MINI driving experience with direct steering and limited body roll. The SE featured regenerative braking, offering an aggressive default setting for one-pedal driving, though a less aggressive option was available. The SE used a single-speed gearbox, while gas-powered Coopers offered a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic or an eight-speed automatic in the John Cooper Works trim.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series offered a range of powertrain options, starting with the 530i's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The 530i could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, with a top speed of 130 mph or 155 mph, depending on tire choice. The 540i featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, producing 335 hp and 362 lb-ft of torque. It achieved zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds with rear-wheel drive and 4.6 seconds with xDrive all-wheel drive. The 540i xDrive test car offered precise handling and a smooth engine, though it felt more like a luxury car than a true driver's car. The M550i xDrive and M5 provided sportier options, with the M5 boasting 617 hp and a zero to 60 mph time of 3.1 seconds. The 530e plug-in hybrid offered a combined output of 288 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, with an electric-only driving capability.

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 cubic feet, but folding the rear seats in the SE trim increased capacity to 25.8 cubic feet. Despite its compact size, the Cooper featured thoughtful design elements, such as two-zone automatic air conditioning and efficient heating. The interior boasted chrome toggle switches, an ergonomic steering wheel, and high-quality materials, reflecting BMW's investment in the MINI brand.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series, available only as a four-door sedan in the U.S., offered spacious front seats and ample rear-seat room, despite appearing less roomy on paper compared to rivals. The 540i had 14.0 cubic feet of trunk space, surpassing the Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, with a 40/20/20 split-folding rear bench for longer items. The test car featured 16-way power front seats with lumbar support, heating, and ventilation, providing supportive bolstering. However, forward visibility was hindered by the long hood, though a surround-view camera system aided parking.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE featured an "eDrive" driver-information display that moved with steering-wheel adjustments, displaying speed, time, mileage, remaining charge, and drive mode. The SE's 32.6-kilowatt-hour battery offered a 110-mile range, less than competitors like the Hyundai Kona Electric. The 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display included Bluetooth, navigation, and Apple CarPlay, with an 8.8-inch screen standard on the SE Iconic trim. The Iconic also included a wireless charging pad and a head-up display.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series came with a standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3-inch Live Cockpit Professional digital instrument cluster. Standard features included Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM 360L, and a WiFi hotspot. The infotainment screen's location made it easy to read, though the instrument cluster's layout could be confusing. A rotary knob controlled infotainment functions, with voice control and gesture controls available. However, gesture controls were less precise than traditional volume knobs.

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 awarded it top "Good" scores in all crash tests.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series had not been crash-tested by the IIHS, but the 2020 model received a "Top Safety Pick+" award. Standard safety features included lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic high beams. The Driving Assistance Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assist, lane-keep assist, and emergency stop assist. BMW's driver-assist tech was noted for its sophistication and smooth operation.