2021 MINI Cooper vs 2020 Toyota Prius

The 2020 Toyota Prius maintained its signature aerodynamic shape, reminiscent of a jellybean, which was designed to optimize its drag coefficient. Over the years, Toyota subtly evolved the Prius's design to incorporate sedan-like visual elements while retaining its hatchback functionality. The Prius's futuristic style remained contemporary, with its most distinctive feature being the centrally located instrumentation and gauges, a hallmark of its cabin design for over two decades. The Prius offered various trim levels, starting with the L Eco, which included standard features like 15-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Higher trims like the XLE and Limited added more luxurious features, such as synthetic leather upholstery and a larger 11.6-inch touchscreen.

The 2021 MINI Cooper was instantly recognizable with its iconic rounded shape and compact dimensions, setting it apart in the subcompact car market. MINI offered extensive customization options, including various exterior colors and roof graphics like the Union Jack flag. The interior continued the unique styling with circular design elements throughout the seats, dash, and center stack. Despite its high-quality materials, the MINI's cabin was notably cramped, with the rear seats more suited for cargo than passengers. The front seats provided decent comfort, but taller drivers might have found the dash design intrusive. Storage space was limited, with small door pockets and a center console barely accommodating a smartphone.

The 2020 Toyota Prius featured a hybrid powertrain across all trims, combining a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor to produce 121 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque. It offered front-wheel drive as standard, with an all-wheel-drive variant available. The Prius delivered smooth acceleration, particularly at lower speeds, with a seamless transition between electric and conventional power. It included three drive modes—EV, Eco, and Power—each catering to different driving preferences. The unique shifter design required some acclimation, with a separate button for Park and an Engine Braking mode for downhill driving. The Prius's low center of gravity contributed to its surprisingly engaging handling, making it well-suited for daily commutes.

The 2021 MINI Cooper offered four powertrain options, starting with a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine producing 134 horsepower. The Cooper S featured a 189-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, while the John Cooper Works (JCW) and JCW GP models boasted 228-hp and 301-hp turbo-fours, respectively. All models came with front-wheel drive, with manual and automatic transmission options varying by trim. The MINI's small size contributed to its lively performance, with the turbocharged engines providing noticeable power, especially at highway speeds. However, the ride was stiff, and road imperfections were more pronounced. Despite this, the Cooper's agility and responsive handling made it an enjoyable drive.

The 2020 Toyota Prius made efficient use of its interior space, offering deep door pockets and a large tray area between the front seats for storage. The front seats were spacious and comfortable, with good visibility for the driver. The rear seats provided ample space, although taller passengers needed to be cautious when entering and exiting. The Prius excelled in cargo capacity, offering 50.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded and up to 27.4 cubic feet with them up, depending on the model. Its hatchback design facilitated easy loading of large items, enhancing its practicality.

The 2021 MINI Cooper's interior was more suited for cargo than passengers, with the rear seat best used for storage. The front seats were comfortable, but taller drivers might have struggled with knee placement due to the dash design. Interior storage was limited, with small door pockets and a center console barely accommodating a smartphone. The Cooper Hatchback offered decent cargo space with the rear seats folded, while the Convertible model had minimal storage under the folding top compartment.

The 2020 Toyota Prius came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a WiFi hotspot. The Limited trim upgraded to an 11.6-inch screen with a customizable layout, though it lacked Android Auto. The Prius also offered satellite radio, HD Radio, and a 10-speaker JBL audio system. The top-center instrument panel, a defining feature of the Prius, displayed hybrid drivetrain status and other critical information, with an available head-up display for added convenience.

The 2021 MINI Cooper's base model featured a 6.5-inch screen, with an optional 8.8-inch unit offering SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and more. While MINI included more physical controls for ease of use, it did not offer Android Auto, leaving many users reliant on Bluetooth. The infotainment system used BMW's software, with a physical iDrive controller that was challenging to access due to the tight cabin space. Some users might have preferred interacting with the screen via touch control.

The 2020 Toyota Prius was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Prius earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" from the IIHS, though it fell short of the highest rating due to "average" scores in certain tests.

The 2021 MINI Cooper did not receive a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with mixed ratings for headlights and the LATCH system. The NHTSA had not rated the 2021 model. Standard safety features included forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, with optional features like adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning available.