2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2020 MINI Cooper

The 2020 MINI Cooper had a distinctive appearance that set it apart from other vehicles on the road. Its wide-eyed LED headlights, grinning front grille, and vibrant color options exuded charm without appearing wasteful or gaudy. The Union Jack taillights were a notable feature that garnered attention. Initially available as a two-door hardtop, the MINI Cooper lineup expanded to include a convertible, a four-door body style, and an all-electric SE trim. The SE maintained the classic Cooper design but sat slightly higher to accommodate the battery cells. Inside, the MINI Cooper's circular design elements and premium materials provided a refined feel unmatched by other cars of its size.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, while not drastically different in exterior styling from its predecessor, boasted a drag coefficient of 0.22, making it more aerodynamic than a Toyota Prius. The new S-Class was slightly longer, taller, and wider, with a 2-inch longer wheelbase. The classic Mercedes hood ornament and grille added a touch of ostentation. Standard 19-inch wheels could be upgraded to 20-inch or 21-inch options. Inside, the S-Class featured a minimalist design centered around the infotainment touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. Ambient lighting with 250 LED elements and 64 color options enhanced the luxurious feel, while high-quality materials like Nappa leather and open-pore wood trim added to the opulence.

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 a quick acceleration experience, comparable to the gas-powered Cooper S, which had a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine producing 189 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. The SE's regenerative braking system allowed for one-pedal driving, although some drivers preferred a less aggressive setting. Despite the SE's additional 300 pounds due to the battery, its low center of gravity and direct steering maintained the classic MINI driving experience. Gas-powered Coopers offered a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission or an eight-speed automatic in the John Cooper Works trim, while the SE used a single-speed gearbox.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class offered two engine options: the S500 4Matic with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine producing 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, and the S580 4Matic with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 generating 496 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Both models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and EQ Boost, a mild-hybrid system that added 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque for short bursts. The S500 and S580 achieved 0-60 mph times of 4.8 and 4.4 seconds, respectively, with electronically limited top speeds of 130 mph. The S-Class also included standard air suspension and an optional E-Active Body Control suspension system. Rear-wheel steering improved maneuverability, reducing the turning circle by seven feet. The S580 provided a fast and comfortable ride, with precise steering and minimal body roll in Sport and Sport+ driving modes.

The 2020 MINI Cooper hatchback was not ideal for carpooling or long road trips due to its limited interior space. Front-seat space was adequate, but the backseat was best suited for children. The two-door Cooper offered 8.7 cubic feet of cargo space, while the four-door variant provided 13.1 cubic feet. The Convertible had only 5.7 cubic feet of cargo space. Folding the rear seats in the SE trim increased cargo capacity to 25.8 cubic feet. Despite the limited space, the MINI Cooper featured thoughtful design elements like two-zone automatic air conditioning, chrome toggle switches, and high-quality materials.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class offered more front and rear headroom, as well as more rear legroom, than its predecessor. It also had more front headroom than competitors but the least front legroom. Shoulder room was segment-leading, contributing to a spacious feel. Cargo space increased to 12.9 cubic feet, although it remained less than other luxury sedans. Optional power-adjustable rear seats could reduce cargo space further. The front seats featured 19 motors for adjustment, heating, ventilation, and massage, with head restraints that included tiny pillows. The center console provided ample storage, and rear-seat passengers enjoyed a large console/armrest with cupholders and climate controls. The optional Executive Line package added power-adjustable rear seats and four-zone climate control.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE featured an "eDrive" driver-information display connected to the steering wheel, which moved with steering-wheel adjustments. The display showed vehicle speed, time, mileage, remaining charge, and drive mode. The SE's 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display included Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, and Apple CarPlay. The SE Iconic trim added an 8.8-inch screen, a wireless charging pad, and a head-up display.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class came standard with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch OLED central touchscreen, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and six USB ports. An available 30-speaker Burmester audio system and rear-seat infotainment setup with 11.6-inch touchscreens and a 7-inch tablet enhanced the experience. The updated Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system offered increased computing power and a more touchscreen-reliant interface. The S-Class also included an augmented-reality head-up display and personal profiles accessible via biometric or facial recognition. Some features, like the ambient lighting reacting to driver warnings, seemed more gimmicky than useful.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE 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 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) but was not rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class included a plethora of safety features, such as an industry-first rear-passenger airbag, adaptive cruise control, automated lane centering, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, lane-change assist, traffic-sign recognition, a driver-attention monitor, and a 360-degree camera system. Mercedes claimed improvements in most features, with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering performing better than most competitors. The S-Class had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS.