2021 Nissan Altima 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 maintained the design elements of the Cooper S but sat slightly higher to accommodate the battery cells. Inside, the MINI Cooper's design was dominated by circles, from the speakers to the air vents, and the premium feel was unmatched in cars of its size.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Altima featured a bold V-Motion grille, available in chrome or dark chrome, giving it a sleek, aerodynamic look. The Altima's shape was attractive, with a sloping roofline and taut body folds. Modern features like LED lighting and alloy wheels kept the look contemporary. The fit and finish were exceptional, with deep lustrous paint and rich chrome details. The Altima offered nine exterior colors, some with premium pricing. Inside, the dashboard was uncluttered, with a standard 8-inch touchscreen display and a cowl-shrouded instrument panel. As you moved up the trim levels, the interior materials improved, adding stitching and better hand feel.

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 nimble and quick driving experience, similar to the gas-powered Cooper S, which had a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine generating 189 hp and 207 lb-ft. The SE's regenerative braking system helped keep the battery charged, and its low center of gravity ensured a planted feel in corners. The SE used a single-speed gearbox, while gas-powered Coopers offered a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission or an eight-speed automatic in the John Cooper Works trim. No manual transmission was available for 2020, but a six-speed manual was set to return in 2021.

The 2021 Nissan Altima offered two distinct powertrains. Most configurations featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with Nissan’s Xtronic CVT. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available. Fuel economy was impressive, with ratings of 28 mpg city/39 mpg highway/32 mpg combined for FWD and 25 mpg city/35 mpg highway/29 mpg combined for AWD. The SR VC-Turbo trim level featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, offering a more engaging driving experience. The VC-Turbo engine used a variable compression system for power on demand while maintaining efficiency. The Altima's suspension and steering provided decent feedback and feel, with the VC-Turbo's suspension being sport-tuned.

The 2020 MINI Cooper hatchback was not ideal for carpooling or road 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 variant provided 13.1 cubic feet. The Convertible had only 5.7 cubic feet. Dropping the rear seats in the SE trim increased cargo space to 25.8 cubic feet. Despite the limited space, the MINI Cooper was thoughtfully designed, with two-zone automatic air conditioning, ergonomic steering wheel, and high-quality materials.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured Nissan’s Zero Gravity front seats, which were comfortable for long drives. Upper trim levels offered power adjustment, position memory, leather appointments, and heated seats. The front cabin had ample storage, including a big glovebox, center console storage bin, and door pockets. The second row was roomy for two adults and could accommodate three for short rides. The 60/40 split-folding rear seats allowed access to the 15.4 cubic feet trunk, providing ample cargo space.

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

The 2021 Nissan Altima came with standard tech features like Nissan Intelligent Key with pushbutton start, remote engine start, Bluetooth, and cruise control. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard on all but the S model. The base touchscreen was 7 inches, with an 8-inch NissanConnect touchscreen on higher trims. The Altima offered multiple USB ports, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a Bose audio system on upper trims. Nissan Door to Door Navigation and NissanConnect Services were available on higher trims.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE 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 Nissan Altima featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, standard on SV and above, including automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning, and high-beam assist. ProPilot Assist was available for highway driving assistance. The Altima received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick + rating from the IIHS.