2021 MINI Cooper vs 2020 Nissan Versa

The 2020 Nissan Versa shed its previous "big car" styling details, opting for a more refined and handsome look that echoed its larger siblings, the Maxima and Altima. The new design was evocative without borrowing oversized elements, making it a more attractive option in the subcompact segment. Inside, the cabin was straightforward but stylish, featuring a two-tone theme with dark charcoal and grayish cream colors. The seats had a neat design, and the overall interior space was generous for a subcompact sedan, thanks to the Nissan V platform.

In contrast, the 2021 MINI Cooper maintained its iconic styling, characterized by its rounded shape, compact dimensions, and a wide variety of color choices and customization options. The exterior featured unique elements like Union Jack taillights and various graphics for the roof. Inside, the MINI continued its quirky design language with circular shapes dominating the seats, dash, and center stack. The infotainment touchscreen was mounted inside a circular light ring, and the cabin, while high-quality, lacked space, especially in the rear seats, which were more suitable for cargo than passengers.

The 2020 Nissan Versa was powered by a revised 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque, an improvement over the previous generation's 109 hp and 107 lb-ft. This engine sent power to the front wheels through either a 5-speed manual or a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The S trim came standard with the manual transmission, while the CVT was standard on the SV and SR trims. The Versa's acceleration improved, making it more capable of merging onto highways. The CVT managed power well, and a Sport mode added liveliness. Fuel economy was decent, with the manual transmission returning 27 mpg city, 35 highway, and 30 combined, while the CVT achieved 32/40/35.

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 as standard and a seven-speed automatic as an option. The JCW GP came with an eight-speed automatic. The MINI's small size made it feel spritely and energetic, with the turbocharged four-cylinder engines providing noticeable power, especially at highway speeds. However, the ride was stiff, and the car could feel twitchy at higher speeds. Fuel economy varied, with the most efficient model being the Convertible at 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2020 Nissan Versa retained its predecessor's 15-cubic-foot trunk, one of the largest in its class, with a large opening for easy loading. However, it lost 6 inches of rear legroom, making the backseat less suitable for adults on long trips. The front seats offered ample legroom, even for taller drivers, making it a good personal commuter car.

The 2021 MINI Cooper's interior was more suited for cargo than passengers, especially in the rear seats. The front seats were comfortable with decent head and legroom, but taller drivers might find knee placement challenging due to the dash shape. Interior storage was tight, with small center console storage and door pockets. The Cooper Hatchbacks offered decent cargo space with the back seats folded down, while the Convertible models had limited usable space in the back.

The 2020 Nissan Versa stepped up its game with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, Siri Eyes Free, and a hands-free text-messaging assistant. The SV trim featured the upgraded NissanConnect system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with an upgraded instrument panel with a digital screen displaying various functions and stats.

The 2021 MINI Cooper's base screen was a 6.5-inch unit, with an optional 8.8-inch unit offering 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 usability, but did not offer Android Auto. The infotainment system used BMW's iDrive software, with a physical controller that could be challenging to use due to the tight space.

The 2020 Nissan Versa added standard driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. Other standard safety features included a reversing camera, front- and side-impact airbags, and Nissan's Easy Fill Tire Alert.

The 2021 MINI Cooper missed out on a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, scoring "Good" in crash tests but "Acceptable" or "Poor" for headlights. The standard front crash prevention systems earned "Advanced" scores, and the LATCH system was rated "Marginal." The NHTSA had not rated the 2021 model. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and rear parking sensors, with other features available as options.