2021 Honda Civic vs 2020 MINI Cooper

2020 MINI Cooper
2020 MINI Cooper
$23,400MSRP
Overview
Overview
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2021 Honda Civic
2021 Honda Civic
$21,250MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 MINI Cooper
$23,400MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Honda Civic
$21,250MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP

$23,400

MSRP

$21,250

Average price

$19,433

Average price

$20,040

Listings

144

Listings

894

Ratings & Reviews

User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.3 out of 10

Expert reviews

7.2 out of 10
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Multiple powertrain options
  • Multiple body styles
Cons
  • Advanced safety features are not standard
  • Cramped back seat
  • Not much cargo space
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Multiple body styles
  • Fun to drive
Cons
  • Underwhelming base engine
  • Outdated technology
  • Interior materials feel cheap

2020 MINI Cooper Reviews Summary

The MINI Cooper showcases timeless design and encourages even the timidest driver to live out their inner Mario Kart fantasies. With a short wheelbase, low curb weight, and torquey engines, the MINI Cooper delivers more smiles per square foot than most competitors. And with a new electric powertrain option, it can do so with a green footprint, too.

2021 Honda Civic Reviews Summary

Honda is ready to retire the 10th-generation Civic, one of the groundbreaking versions in the nameplate's long and storied history. From its polarizing design and three body styles to the arrival (finally!) of the Type R performance variant in the U.S. market, this version of the Civic made its mark. And even though the design is now six years old, and the car is ubiquitous on American roads, the 2021 Honda Civic remains worthy of consideration.
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Popular Features & Specs

Engine

1.5L 134 hp I3

Engine

2.0L 158 hp I4

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

FWD

Seating Capacity

4

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

134 hp @ 4400 rpm

Horsepower

158 hp @ 6500 rpm

MPG City

28

MPG City

30

MPG Highway

36

MPG Highway

38
2020 MINI Cooper
2020 MINI Cooper
$23,400MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Honda Civic
2021 Honda Civic
$21,250MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 MINI Cooper
$23,400MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Honda Civic
$21,250MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP
$23,400
$21,250
Average price
$19,433
$20,040
Listings

Ratings & Reviews

User reviews
4.1
4.9
Expert reviews

7.3 out of 10

Read full review

7.2 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Multiple powertrain options
  • Multiple body styles
Cons
  • Advanced safety features are not standard
  • Cramped back seat
  • Not much cargo space
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Multiple body styles
  • Fun to drive
Cons
  • Underwhelming base engine
  • Outdated technology
  • Interior materials feel cheap
Summary
The MINI Cooper showcases timeless design and encourages even the timidest driver to live out their inner Mario Kart fantasies. With a short wheelbase, low curb weight, and torquey engines, the MINI Cooper delivers more smiles per square foot than most competitors. And with a new electric powertrain option, it can do so with a green footprint, too.
Honda is ready to retire the 10th-generation Civic, one of the groundbreaking versions in the nameplate's long and storied history. From its polarizing design and three body styles to the arrival (finally!) of the Type R performance variant in the U.S. market, this version of the Civic made its mark. And even though the design is now six years old, and the car is ubiquitous on American roads, the 2021 Honda Civic remains worthy of consideration.
Video
No video found
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine
1.5L 134 hp I3
2.0L 158 hp I4
Drive Train
FWD
FWD
Seating Capacity
4
5
Horsepower
134 hp @ 4400 rpm
158 hp @ 6500 rpm
MPG City
28
30
MPG Highway
36
38
Look and feel
2020 MINI Cooper
8/10
2021 Honda Civic
8/10

The 2020 MINI Cooper stood out on the road with its distinctive design, characterized by wide-eyed LED-ringed headlights and a grinning front grille. Its vibrant color options and Union Jack taillights added to its charm, making it a favorite among enthusiasts. Despite its unique styling, the Cooper managed to avoid being wasteful or gaudy, exuding a sense of charm that invited praise. 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 Cooper S's design, with the key difference being its slightly higher stance to accommodate the battery cells. Inside, the MINI Cooper's design was dominated by circular elements, providing a premium feel unmatched in cars of its size.

The 2021 Honda Civic, with its long history of segment-defining models, continued to impress with its four-door sedan, five-door hatchback, and performance-tuned Type R formats. The 2021 model year saw the discontinuation of the two-door coupe and the temporary hiatus of the sporty Civic Si. Our review focused on the Civic sedan, specifically the Touring trim in Cosmic Blue Metallic paint. The Civic's styling, once polarizing, had become familiar on the roads, with its handsome 18-inch wheels adding to its appeal. The interior, though not as dramatic as when first introduced, still featured quality materials and thoughtful detailing. The Civic's cabin offered a spacious feel, akin to a midsize car from a decade ago, with a trunk size of 15.1 cubic feet, slightly reduced in the Touring trim due to the premium sound system.

Performance
2020 MINI Cooper
7/10
2021 Honda Civic
7/10

The 2020 MINI Cooper was renowned for its nimble quickness and ability to carve corners, a legacy dating back to its racing days in the 1960s. 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. The SE also featured regenerative braking, which some drivers found aggressive, but it helped keep the battery charged. Despite a 300-pound weight penalty due to the battery, the SE maintained a low center of gravity, ensuring a planted feel in corners. 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 Honda Civic offered a choice between a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 174 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. The turbocharged engine, available in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, provided the Civic with ample power. The Civic's sophisticated four-wheel independent suspension and precise steering made it a delight to drive, especially with the Touring trim's 18-inch wheels. However, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) was a drawback, with its droning nature and unsatisfactory paddle shifters. Despite this, the Civic's fuel economy was commendable, averaging 34.8 mpg on a 140-mile loop, surpassing the EPA estimate of 33 mpg.

Form and function
2020 MINI Cooper
6/10
2021 Honda Civic
8/10

The 2020 MINI Cooper, while not ideal for carpooling or long trips, offered good front-seat space and a spacious feel due to its large greenhouse. The backseat was best suited for children, and cargo space was limited, with 8.7 cubic feet in the two-door model and 13.1 cubic feet in the four-door. The SE trim maintained the same interior space, with a maximum of 25.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Despite its compact size, the Cooper featured thoughtful design elements, such as two-zone automatic air conditioning and ergonomic controls, reflecting BMW's investment in the brand.

The 2021 Honda Civic sedan, though low to the ground, provided comfortable seating once inside. The driver's seat offered eight-way power adjustment, but the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The Civic's interior was spacious, with rear seats accommodating adults comfortably. The center console offered remarkable storage space, and the trunk was generous, with 15.1 cubic feet of space, slightly reduced in the Touring trim. The Civic's practicality was evident in its thoughtful design and ample storage options.

Technology
2020 MINI Cooper
7/10
2021 Honda Civic
5/10

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE featured an "eDrive" driver-information display, which moved with the steering wheel adjustments. The display provided essential information, including vehicle speed, time, mileage, and remaining charge. The SE's 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system included Bluetooth, navigation, and Apple CarPlay, with an 8.8-inch screen available in the SE Iconic trim. The top-tier SE also offered a wireless charging pad and a head-up display.

The 2021 Honda Civic's technology was somewhat dated, with the LX trim offering a 5-inch LCD screen and basic Bluetooth connectivity. The Civic Sport upgraded to a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an eight-speaker sound system. The EX trim added HD Radio and SiriusXM, while the Touring trim included navigation and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The Civic's voice recognition system was unsophisticated, but the premium sound system was a nice addition.

Safety
2020 MINI Cooper
6/10
2021 Honda Civic
7/10

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

The 2021 Honda Civic came equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The Civic also featured LaneWatch, a camera-based blind-spot monitoring system. However, it lacked a traditional radar-based blind-spot warning system. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and received five-star ratings in all NHTSA assessments.

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 MINI Cooper is 7.3 out of 10, while the 2021 Honda Civic scores 7.2 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2020 MINI Cooper is the recommended choice, offering a unique driving experience and premium features that slightly edge out the Civic's practicality and safety.

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 MINI Cooper is 7.3 out of 10, while the 2021 Honda Civic scores 7.2 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2020 MINI Cooper is the recommended choice, offering a unique driving experience and premium features that slightly edge out the Civic's practicality and safety.

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By: CarGurus + AI

At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.

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