2021 Nissan Sentra vs 2020 MINI Cooper

The 2020 MINI Cooper stood out on the road with its unique design, featuring wide-eyed LED-ringed headlights, a grinning front grille, and vibrant color options. The Union Jack taillights were a crowd-pleaser, adding to the car's charm 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, mimicked the design of the Cooper S but sat slightly higher to accommodate the battery cells. Inside, the MINI Cooper's design was dominated by circles, with a premium feel unmatched in cars of its size.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra entered its eighth generation with an athletic exterior, featuring crisp bends and lines, a V-Motion grille, and expressive horizontally arrayed headlights. Available in eight exterior paint colors, the Sentra offered a bold look with options for two-tone paint schemes on the SR trim. The car's design included a bulging hood, fast roofline, and muscular wheel arches, giving it an air of agility and fun. Inside, the Sentra's layered dash felt expansive, with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen perfectly positioned. The flat-bottomed multi-function steering wheel added a sporty touch, and the second row offered roomy seating, though better suited for two passengers.

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 Cooper S's 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, which generated 189 hp and 207 lb-ft. The SE's regenerative braking system helped keep the battery charged, though some drivers might prefer the less-aggressive setting. Despite a 300-pound weight penalty due to the battery, the SE maintained a low center of gravity, ensuring a planted feel in corners. Gas-powered Coopers offered either 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 Nissan Sentra featured a new 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a front-wheel-drive Xtronic CVT, the Sentra delivered adequate performance for commuting and city driving. Weighing between 3,036 to 3,084 pounds, the Sentra SR offered a balance of fuel economy and performance, with fuel economy ratings of 29 mpg city/39 mpg highway/33 mpg combined for S and SV models, and 28 mpg city/37 mpg highway/32 mpg combined for SR models. The Sentra's suspension and dual-pinion electric steering provided tidy road manners and almost fun cornering, making it a well-rounded choice for everyday driving.

The 2020 MINI Cooper hatchback was not ideal for carpooling or large cargo needs. Front-seat space was good, but the backseat was tiny, 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 limited space, the MINI Cooper featured thoughtful design elements like two-zone automatic air conditioning, chrome toggle switches, and high-quality materials, reflecting BMW's investment in the brand.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra's interior was well-designed, with features like an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, traditional gear selector lever, open cupholders, and roomy covered storage. The car included two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and a 12-volt port, with a small cubby for minimizing clutter. The Zero Gravity front bucket seats provided comfort on long rides, and the Premium Package on SV and SR models added features like a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, and a power-sliding glass moonroof. The Sentra's interior design and features made it a practical choice for long trips and daily use.

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 SE's 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display included Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, and Apple CarPlay. The SE Iconic trim offered an 8.8-inch screen, a wireless charging pad, and a head-up display, enhancing the car's tech appeal.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra came with standard audio features like AM/FM/USB with four speakers in the S trim, upgraded to six speakers and SiriusXM in SV and SR trims, with an optional premium Bose system in the SR. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration were standard, along with Bluetooth audio and hands-free capabilities. The SV and SR trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen, while the S trim had a 7-inch screen. NissanConnect services, available on SR models, included a WiFi hotspot, remote access to vehicle functions, and voice command integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

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 car 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 Nissan Sentra came with a comprehensive array of standard safety features, including multiple airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system with Easy-Fill Tire Alert, and Nissan Safety Shield 360. This included intelligent forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The Sentra received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.