2021 Hyundai Sonata 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, which we tested, maintained the classic Cooper S design but sat slightly higher to accommodate the battery cells. Inside, the MINI Cooper's circular design elements, premium materials, and ergonomic steering wheel provided a refined and charming driving experience.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata, redesigned for the 2020 model year, presented a daringly distinctive look from its broad grille to its tapered tail. The N Line treatment enhanced the Sonata's appeal with larger air intakes, gloss black side mirrors, bold 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, and a subtle gloss black lip spoiler. Inside, the Sonata N Line featured sport front seats with Nappa leather bolsters and Dinamica suede inserts, red stitching, aluminum pedal covers, and dark chrome accents. A standard panoramic sunroof added to the car's spacious feel, while the materials used were of high quality, providing a comfortable and stylish 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. This setup provided quick acceleration and a nimble driving experience, true to the MINI's reputation. The SE's regenerative braking system helped keep the battery charged, though some drivers might prefer the less aggressive setting. Despite the SE's additional 300 pounds due to the battery, its low center of gravity and direct steering ensured a planted and agile ride. Gas-powered Coopers offered a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission or an eight-speed automatic in the John Cooper Works trim, with a six-speed manual returning in 2021.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission, the Sonata N Line offered Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Custom driving modes. The car's sport-tuned suspension, larger brakes, and 19-inch wheels with performance tires provided a responsive and engaging driving experience. During testing in the Santa Monica Mountains, the Sonata N Line demonstrated impressive handling, minimal body roll, and a comfortable ride. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 27 mpg, though real-world testing yielded 23.7 mpg.

The 2020 MINI Cooper hatchback offered good front-seat space and a big greenhouse, but the backseat was tiny and best suited for children. Cargo space in the two-door Cooper was limited to 8.7 cubic feet, expanding to 13.1 cubic feet in the four-door variant. The Convertible offered only 5.7 cubic feet, while the SE trim maintained the same interior space despite the battery. The MINI Cooper's thoughtful design included two-zone automatic air conditioning, chrome toggle switches, and high-quality materials, reflecting BMW's investment in the brand.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line's heated front sport seats provided a balance of comfort and lateral support, with Dinamica suede inserts helping to hold occupants in place. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed air conditioning vents and a USB port, though legroom and thigh support were similar to the Elantra N Line. The Sonata's trunk offered a spacious 16 cubic feet, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. Hyundai's Smart Trunk hands-free release feature and high-quality materials contributed to the Sonata N Line's practicality and comfort.

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 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 SE Iconic also offered a wireless charging pad and a head-up display, enhancing the car's tech offerings.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Standard features included navigation, wireless smartphone charging, a Bose premium sound system, HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year subscription to Blue Link connected services. The Sonata N Line also offered Hyundai Digital Key for Android devices and the calming Sounds of Nature feature, though the lack of a tuning knob and occasional voice recognition issues were minor drawbacks.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE included front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera system, but lacked advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2020 MINI Cooper top marks in all crash tests, though the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not rated it.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line came with Hyundai's SmartSense collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and more. The Sonata N Line also featured Rear Occupant Alert, Safe Exit Warning, and Highway Drive Assist. While the NHTSA and IIHS had not rated the 2021 Sonata N Line at the time of review, the standard Sonata's high safety ratings and comprehensive ADAS package provided confidence in its safety.