2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2020 MINI Cooper

The 2020 MINI Cooper was a distinctive presence on the road, with its 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 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 step, offering similar performance and refinement as the Cooper S, but with an electric motor and battery. The SE maintained much of the Cooper S's design, with slight modifications to accommodate the battery, and featured unique paint schemes and EV-exclusive wheels.

In contrast, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class embraced a design philosophy of "sensual purity," moving away from the sharper angles of its predecessor to adopt a more fluid and curvier form. The E-Class featured squinted headlights and an inverted trapezoid grille, giving it a slightly edgier look. The standing hood ornament was removed, aligning with the popular Sport style that featured a large star emblem in the grille. The E-Class was available in various body styles, including sedan, wagon, coupe, and convertible, each maintaining a handsome and elegant appearance. Inside, the E-Class was a showcase of decadent materials and exuberant style, with rich woods, aluminum, and carbon fiber adorning the cabin. The interior was a blend of luxury and modernity, with features like metal speaker grilles, elaborate stitching, and incredible ambient lighting.

The 2020 MINI Cooper was renowned for its nimble quickness and ability to carve corners with ease. The Cooper SE, with its electric motor producing 181 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, offered a performance that was nearly on par with the gas-powered Cooper S, which boasted 189 hp and 207 lb-ft from its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. The SE's immediate torque delivery made it feel quick off the line, and its regenerative braking system helped maintain battery charge. Despite a weight penalty due to the battery, the SE's low center of gravity ensured it remained true to the classic MINI driving experience, with direct steering and limited body roll. 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 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced electrified inline-six powertrains for its highest-volume models, with the E450 becoming a hybrid. The E450's powertrain, shared with the AMG E53, included a 48-volt electrical system that provided extra power and torque for brief moments. The E450's 3.0-liter inline-six engine produced 362 hp and 369 lb-ft, with additional overboost from the battery. The AMG E53 added a second turbo, resulting in 429 hp and 384 lb-ft, offering brisk acceleration and a healthy exhaust note. The AMG E63 S, with its 4.0-liter V8 engine, delivered 603 hp and 627 lb-ft, making it a performance powerhouse. The E-Class's variable-rate air suspension and rear-biased all-wheel drive provided a balance of speed and handling precision without sacrificing comfort. Fuel economy varied across models, with the E450 4Matic achieving 26 mpg combined.

The 2020 MINI Cooper, while not ideal for carpooling or long road trips, offered good front-seat space and a sense of openness due to its large greenhouse. The backseat was small, best suited for children, and cargo space was limited, with the two-door Cooper providing just 8.7 cubic feet. The four-door model offered a more competitive 13.1 cubic feet, while the convertible had only 5.7 cubes. Despite the limited space, the Cooper was thoughtfully designed, with features like two-zone automatic air conditioning and chrome toggle switches adding to its appeal.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class provided a spacious cabin for four adults, with ample headroom and legroom. The coupe's rear seats were comfortable, while the convertible's were less so due to the folding soft top. The wagon offered significant cargo space, with 35 cubic feet or 64 with seats folded. The sedan had 13 cubic feet of trunk space, and the two-door models offered 10 cubic feet. The E-Class's interior featured a redesigned infotainment system, with touchpads on the steering wheel and shortcut buttons for navigation and stereo settings. The cabin was user-friendly, though mastering the dual screens required some learning.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE featured an "eDrive" driver-information display that moved with the steering wheel adjustments, displaying critical information like vehicle speed, time, mileage, and remaining charge. The SE's 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 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced the MBUX infotainment system, with a touchscreen interface that was better organized and featured natural voice processing. The system included a live feed from the front camera for navigation and optional extras like massaging seats and seat kinetics. While the system didn't update over-the-air, it offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with optional driving assists that could move the car into adjacent lanes and slow down for curves. The instrument cluster offered various display options, allowing for a customizable and modern look.

The 2020 MINI Cooper, despite its small size, received "Good" scores in all crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, it lacked advanced safety features, with only forward-collision warning as standard and no automatic emergency braking available. The car's rear-view camera system was sharp, but overall, the MINI Cooper SE fell short in terms of safety technology.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was one of the safest cars available, with a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS. The E-Class featured innovative safety technologies, such as Pre-Safe Sound and side collision protection. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring, with additional driver-assist features available as options.