2020 Toyota Corolla vs 2020 MINI Cooper
CarGurus highlights
According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Toyota Corolla is 7.0 out of 10, while the 2020 MINI Cooper scores 7.3 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2020 MINI Cooper is the recommended choice, offering a more engaging driving experience, unique design, and high-quality interior.
Choose the 2020 Toyota Corolla if:
- You prioritize a roomy interior and midsize car designation.
- You value advanced safety features and high safety ratings.
- You seek a fuel-efficient vehicle with a hybrid option.
Choose the 2020 MINI Cooper if:
- You desire a unique and charming design with vibrant color options.
- You prefer a nimble and quick driving experience with immediate torque delivery.
- You appreciate a thoughtfully designed interior with high-quality materials.
Overview | |
MSRP$19,600 | MSRP$23,400 |
Average price$18,044 | Average price$20,563 |
Listings1466 | Listings119 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.0 out of 10 | Expert reviews7.3 out of 10 |
Pros
| Pros
|
2020 Toyota Corolla Reviews SummaryIf ever a car was to be described as an appliance, the Toyota Corolla was it. Cheap to buy, dependable as a sunrise, thrifty with fuel, and roomy enough for a frugal family, the Corolla faithfully delivered its owners to their destinations without a hint of fuss... or emotion. That changes with the redesigned 2020 Toyota Corolla, which adds a sense of style and a bit of thrill to its longstanding mission. | |
2020 MINI Cooper Reviews SummaryThe MINI Cooper showcases timeless design and encourages even the timidest driver to live out their inner Mario Kart fantasies. With a short wheelbase, low curb weight, and torquey engines, the MINI Cooper delivers more smiles per square foot than most competitors. And with a new electric powertrain option, it can do so with a green footprint, too. | |
No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine1.8L 139 hp I4 | Engine1.5L 134 hp I3 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity4 |
Horsepower | Horsepower134 hp @ 4400 rpm |
MPG City30 | MPG City28 |
MPG Highway38 | MPG Highway36 |
Engine | |
Engine Name1.8L 139 hp I4 | Engine Name1.5L 134 hp I3 |
Torque | Torque162 lb-ft @ 1250 rpm |
Horsepower | Horsepower134 hp @ 4400 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City30 | MPG City28 |
MPG Highway38 | MPG Highway36 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity4 |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall5 | Front Crash Overall4 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall4 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space13.1 cu ft | Cargo Space8.7 cu ft |
Curb Weight2910 lbs | Curb Weight2625 lbs |
Height56.5 in | Height55.7 in |
Length182.3 in | Length151.1 in |
Width70.1 in | Width76.1 in |
Wheelbase106.3 in | Wheelbase98.2 in |
Maximum Payload825 lbs | Maximum Payload680 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors2 |
CarGurus highlights
According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Toyota Corolla is 7.0 out of 10, while the 2020 MINI Cooper scores 7.3 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2020 MINI Cooper is the recommended choice, offering a more engaging driving experience, unique design, and high-quality interior.
Choose the 2020 Toyota Corolla if:
Shop Now- You prioritize a roomy interior and midsize car designation.
- You value advanced safety features and high safety ratings.
- You seek a fuel-efficient vehicle with a hybrid option.
Choose the 2020 MINI Cooper if:
Shop Now- You desire a unique and charming design with vibrant color options.
- You prefer a nimble and quick driving experience with immediate torque delivery.
- You appreciate a thoughtfully designed interior with high-quality materials.
Overview | ||
MSRP | $19,600 | $23,400 |
Average price | $18,044 | $20,563 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.6 | 4.1 |
Expert reviews | 7.0 out of 10Read full review | 7.3 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
| Pros
|
Summary | If ever a car was to be described as an appliance, the Toyota Corolla was it. Cheap to buy, dependable as a sunrise, thrifty with fuel, and roomy enough for a frugal family, the Corolla faithfully delivered its owners to their destinations without a hint of fuss... or emotion. That changes with the redesigned 2020 Toyota Corolla, which adds a sense of style and a bit of thrill to its longstanding mission. | The MINI Cooper showcases timeless design and encourages even the timidest driver to live out their inner Mario Kart fantasies. With a short wheelbase, low curb weight, and torquey engines, the MINI Cooper delivers more smiles per square foot than most competitors. And with a new electric powertrain option, it can do so with a green footprint, too. |
Video | No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 1.8L 139 hp I4 | 1.5L 134 hp I3 |
Drive Train | FWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 4 |
Horsepower | 134 hp @ 4400 rpm | |
MPG City | 30 | 28 |
MPG Highway | 38 | 36 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 1.8L 139 hp I4 | 1.5L 134 hp I3 |
Torque | 162 lb-ft @ 1250 rpm | |
Horsepower | 134 hp @ 4400 rpm | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 30 | 28 |
MPG Highway | 38 | 36 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 4 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | 4 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 4 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 13.1 cu ft | 8.7 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 2910 lbs | 2625 lbs |
Height | 56.5 in | 55.7 in |
Length | 182.3 in | 151.1 in |
Width | 70.1 in | 76.1 in |
Wheelbase | 106.3 in | 98.2 in |
Maximum Payload | 825 lbs | 680 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 2 |
The 2020 Toyota Corolla, with its redesigned look, was not considered particularly attractive, resembling other modern Toyotas with their aggressive styling. However, the SE and XSE trims, especially in the Celestite paint color, were seen as more appealing. The interior quality of the Corolla improved significantly, with soft-touch surfaces replacing the cheap plastics of previous models. Despite these improvements, the transmission shifter reminded drivers of the Corolla's economy car status.
In contrast, the 2020 MINI Cooper stood out with its unique and charming design, featuring wide-eyed LED headlights, a grinning front grille, and vibrant color options. The Union Jack taillights were a notable crowd-pleaser. The MINI Cooper evolved from its original two-door hardtop to include a convertible and a four-door variant, with the all-electric SE trim offering similar performance to the Cooper S. The SE trim maintained the classic MINI design while accommodating the battery cells under its floor, ensuring a low center of gravity and a planted feel in corners.
The 2020 Toyota Corolla offered a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with 139 horsepower for the L, LE, and XLE trims, paired with a CVT. The SE and XSE trims featured a more powerful 169-hp, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and a more sophisticated CVT with paddle shifters. The Corolla XSE's driving dynamics were well-tuned, providing a smooth and stable ride thanks to the independent rear suspension. However, the XSE struggled with acceleration, lacking the power to pass slower vehicles or climb mountains quickly. The Corolla SE with a 6-speed manual gearbox was recommended for a more engaging driving experience. The XSE trim was EPA-rated at 31 mpg city, 38 highway, and 34 combined, though real-world testing showed slightly lower fuel economy.
The 2020 MINI Cooper SE excelled in performance with its 181-hp electric motor and 199 lb-ft of torque, closely matching the Cooper S's 189 hp and 207 lb-ft from its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. The SE's immediate torque delivery made it feel quick off the line. The SE's regenerative braking system was aggressive, allowing for one-pedal driving, though it could be adjusted for less aggressiveness. The SE's battery pack added weight but maintained a low center of gravity, ensuring a planted feel in corners. Gas-powered Coopers used either a seven-speed DCT or an eight-speed automatic, while the SE used a single-speed gearbox. No manual transmission was offered for 2020, but it was set to return in 2021.
The 2020 Toyota Corolla, officially rated as a midsize car by the EPA, offered a roomy interior for a compact car. However, the lack of rear air-conditioning vents, USB charging ports, and privacy-tinted rear glass made it less comfortable for rear passengers, especially during hot weather. The front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, making it less comfortable for shorter passengers. The Corolla's interior had limited storage space, with small cupholders and few storage bins. The trunk offered 13.1 cubic feet of space, enough for a couple of suitcases and additional bags.
The 2020 MINI Cooper, particularly the two-door hatchback, was not ideal for carpooling or long road trips due to its limited rear-seat space and cargo capacity. The four-door variant offered more competitive cargo space at 13.1 cubic feet, while the convertible had only 5.7 cubic feet. Dropping the rear seats in the SE trim provided a maximum of 25.8 cubic feet. Despite its small size, the MINI Cooper's interior was thoughtfully designed, with two-zone automatic air conditioning, chrome toggle switches, and high-quality materials. The SE trim maintained the same interior space as the gas-powered variants.
The 2020 Toyota Corolla featured the Entune 3.0 infotainment system, with Apple CarPlay compatibility but no Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with a high-mounted touchscreen, stereo volume and tuning knobs, and main menu access buttons. The voice-recognition system worked well with Apple CarPlay, and a USB port was conveniently located near a smartphone shelf. Higher trims offered additional features like wireless device charging, advanced voice recognition, HD Radio, and a JBL premium sound system.
The 2020 MINI Cooper SE had a unique "eDrive" driver-information display connected to the steering wheel, which moved with the 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 top-tier SE Iconic trim featured an 8.8-inch screen, a wireless charging pad, and a head-up display.
The 2020 Toyota Corolla came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.0, which included low-light pedestrian detection, daytime cyclist detection, road-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. The system operated with impressive refinement and accuracy, though the lane-departure warning system's aural alert was irritating. The Corolla also had a blind-spot monitoring system, standard on XLE and XSE trims and optional on LE and SE trims. The NHTSA gave the Corolla a 5-star rating for frontal-impact protection, and the IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick for 2019.
The 2020 MINI Cooper SE lacked many 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 NHTSA had not rated the MINI Cooper, but the IIHS gave it top marks, earning "Good" scores in all crash tests.
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