2021 MINI Cooper vs 2020 Nissan Maxima

The 2020 Nissan Maxima featured a design that closely mirrored other models in Nissan’s lineup. It sported the signature V-Motion grille, standard jewel-like LED headlights, and distinctive daytime running lights. The floating-roof design, accentuated by a heavy beltline, led to the rear where quad-tip exhaust finishers were positioned. The Maxima SR models came with a sporty rear spoiler, adding to its dynamic look. The Maxima was the pioneer of this design era for Nissan sedans, influencing the Altima, Sentra, and Versa. The Maxima was available in S, SV, SL, SR, and Platinum trims, with the Platinum trim offering premium features and materials.

The interior of the Maxima was spacious and well-finished, especially in the Platinum trim, which included semi-aniline leather appointments and Satin Bronze faceted interior finishers. The SR trim had unique styling elements like a patterned seat insert and charcoal headliner. The thick center console created a segmented front row but did not compromise the overall spaciousness. Standard features included an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a host of other modern conveniences. Despite not being the most modern vehicle, the Maxima’s interior was functional and comfortable.

The 2021 MINI Cooper stood out with its iconic styling, characterized by its rounded shape, compact dimensions, and a wide array of color choices. Customization options were plentiful, including graphics for the roof and hidden Easter eggs like Union Jack taillights. Although larger than the original Mini, the 2021 Cooper offered wheel and trim upgrades depending on the model. Inside, the MINI Cooper continued its unique design language with circular shapes dominating the seats, dash, and center stack. The infotainment touchscreen was mounted inside a circular light ring, and the air vents were also circular. The cabin was high quality but lacked space, with the rear seats being more suitable for cargo than passengers.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), producing 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided ample power for most drivers, making the Maxima more powerful than many of its competitors. Despite being marketed as a "four-door sports car," the Maxima was more comfortable as a cruiser. The Sport drive mode and paddle shifters in the SR trim made the driving experience more engaging, but the car excelled in comfort, absorbing road imperfections well. Active noise cancellation in SL and higher trims, and noise enhancement in the SR trim, contributed to a quiet cabin.

The Maxima came with front-wheel drive and an 18-gallon fuel tank. It achieved an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined, comparable to other vehicles in its class. The Maxima did not offer a hybrid option, unlike the Toyota Avalon. Despite lacking all-wheel drive, the Maxima felt planted in most driving situations, though it could become slightly unstable under hard acceleration in the SR trim.

The 2021 MINI Cooper offered four powertrain options. The base model had a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with 134 horsepower. The Cooper S featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 189 hp, the John Cooper Works (JCW) had a 228-hp turbo-four, and the John Cooper Works GP boasted a 301-hp turbo-four. All models were front-wheel drive, with the Cooper and Cooper S offering a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic transmission. The JCW GP came with an eight-speed automatic.

The MINI Cooper felt lively and energetic due to its small size, with the turbocharged four-cylinder engines providing noticeably stronger performance, especially at highway speeds. The JCW GP model offered the best acceleration, feeling like a rocket ship. However, all Cooper models had a somewhat stiff ride, making long drives less comfortable. The car’s agility and responsiveness in cornering made it fun to drive, but it did not offer a cushioned ride. Fuel economy varied, with the most efficient model being the Convertible, achieving 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima offered spacious seating, a large trunk, and modern features, making it a practical choice for families. The thick center console was the only limitation to the feeling of spaciousness in the front cabin. The infotainment screen was large and tilted toward the driver, surrounded by buttons and climate controls. Storage space in the console was limited, with a small cubby for very small items. The front seats were comfortable for long road trips, and the rear seats provided enough room for passengers.

However, the Maxima fell short in legroom compared to competitors like the Kia Cadenza, Hyundai Sonata, Honda Accord, and Toyota Avalon. The Maxima offered more headroom than its rivals, with up to 39.4 inches. The trunk space was 14.3 cubic feet, less than the Sonata, Cadenza, Avalon, and Accord. Despite these shortcomings, the Maxima handled cargo and seating needs well during testing, though it might not be ideal for those frequently transporting large items or multiple sets of golf clubs.

The 2021 MINI Cooper’s interior was more suited for cargo storage than passenger comfort in the rear seats. The front seats were comfortable with decent head and legroom for average adults, though taller drivers might struggle with knee placement due to the dash shape. Interior storage was tight, with the center console storage spot being very small and the door pockets not much better. The Cooper Hatchbacks offered decent cargo space with the back seats folded down, while Convertible models had limited usable space in the back.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima came standard with a long list of features, though they were not the most modern. The 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen and 7-inch driver information display were functional but not particularly modern in appearance. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all models, with NissanConnect Services available only on the Platinum trim. Buyers could upgrade to a Bose Premium Audio system with 11 speakers. The Maxima also offered an Around View Monitor camera system, power rear sunshade, keyless entry, and USB-A and USB-C ports in the front and rear.

The 2021 MINI Cooper was less generous with standard features. The base screen was a 6.5-inch unit, with an 8.8-inch unit available that included SiriusXM satellite radio and Apple CarPlay. Optional features included a Harman Kardon sound system, automatic climate controls, and LED headlights. MINI included more physical controls, improving the technology experience. However, Android Auto was not available, leaving many users to rely on Bluetooth. The MINI used BMW’s infotainment software, with a physical iDrive controller in the center console, though it could be difficult to reach and use due to the tight space.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included a range of safety and driver-assist technologies. Standard safety features included airbags, a tire-pressure monitoring system, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, intelligent forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, rear automatic braking, and a driver alertness monitor. Traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control were standard on all trims except the base model. The Maxima performed well in IIHS and NHTSA safety tests, with top ratings in front crash prevention.

The 2021 MINI Cooper did not receive a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS. It scored top "Good" ratings in crash tests but had "Acceptable" or "Poor" ratings for headlights. The front crash prevention systems earned "Advanced" scores, and the LATCH system received a "Marginal" rating for ease of use. The NHTSA had not rated the 2021 model. Standard driver-assistance features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and rear parking sensors. Optional features included front parking sensors, a parking assistance system, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning.