2021 MINI Cooper vs 2020 Volkswagen Passat

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat bore a striking resemblance to its predecessors from 2012 to 2019, as well as the recently redesigned VW Jetta. Its exterior design borrowed heavily from the Jetta, creating a familiar yet slightly updated look. Inside, the Passat's dashboard retained the architectural T-square design of the previous model, featuring a modest 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment screen. The interior was dominated by cheap, glossy plastic, which, while easy to clean, lacked the sophistication of more modern materials. The Passat was designed to be user-friendly, with easy access, simple controls, and a budget-friendly price point. It was available in four trims, with the base Passat S starting at $22,995 and the top-tier SEL at $31,095. The sporty R-Line trim, priced at $28,645, added a touch of flair with its Aurora Red paint and remote engine start.

In contrast, the 2021 MINI Cooper stood out with its iconic styling, instantly recognizable alongside vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler. Its rounded shape, compact dimensions, and a plethora of color options set it apart in the subcompact car market. MINI offered extensive customization options, including graphics for the roof and hidden Easter eggs like Union Jack taillights. The interior continued the 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. While the cabin was high quality, space was at a premium, especially in the back seats, which were more suited for cargo than passengers.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. It ran on regular gas and featured a 6-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. The powertrain was simple, with a Sport transmission setting and paddle shifters but no additional driving modes. The Passat's torque allowed for decent acceleration, though the transmission's eagerness to upshift sometimes made the engine feel like it was stumbling. In Sport mode, this issue was resolved. The Passat averaged 26 mpg, just shy of the EPA's 27-mpg rating. The steering was light yet precise, and the brakes were effective, though a bit grabby. The suspension, however, was a mixed bag, being too stiff over sharp bumps and too soft over undulations, resulting in a busy ride.

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, while the JCW GP had an eight-speed automatic. The MINI's small size made it feel spritely and energetic, with the turbocharged four-cylinder engines providing noticeably stronger performance, especially at highway speeds. The JCW GP model was particularly fast, offering the best acceleration. However, all models had a stiff ride, making long drives less comfortable. The Cooper's agility and responsiveness in cornering made it fun to drive, but the ride quality could be harsh.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat was designed with American consumers in mind, offering a spacious interior with wide, comfortable seats and ample room for five passengers. The car featured large door openings, sizable cupholders, and plenty of storage bins and trays. Visibility was excellent, and the trunk offered 15.9 cubic feet of space, configured for maximum utility. The trunk could easily accommodate full-size suitcases and compact folding strollers. Cloth upholstery was standard in the Passat S, while the SE and R-Line trims featured V-Tex leatherette seats. The SEL trim came with genuine leather sport seats. Heated seats were available for cold weather, and rear air conditioning vents helped keep passengers cool in hot weather.

The 2021 MINI Cooper's interior was more suited for cargo than passengers, especially in the rear seats. The front seats were comfortable, offering decent head and legroom for average-sized adults, though taller drivers might find the dash shape problematic for knee placement. Interior storage was limited, with a small center console and modest door pockets. The Cooper Hatchback provided decent cargo space, and the back seats could be folded down for additional storage. Convertible models had a small cargo hold under the folding top compartment, with very little usable space in the back.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat lacked Volkswagen's latest infotainment and Digital Cockpit technologies, featuring a 6.3-inch touchscreen display instead. Despite its modest size, the system included App Connect with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD and SiriusXM satellite radio, a CD player, and Bluetooth. The SEL trim added navigation and a Fender premium sound system. The infotainment system's simplicity, with buttons and knobs, was a refreshing change from modern touch-centric designs. The Passat also offered an optional remote engine start system and, in the SEL trim, a parking steering-assist system.

The 2021 MINI Cooper was not particularly generous with standard features. The base model had a 6.5-inch screen, 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's use of physical controls improved the technology experience, making it easier to use while driving. However, Android Auto was not available, leaving many users reliant on Bluetooth. The infotainment system used BMW's iDrive software, with a physical controller in the center console. The tight space between the front seats made the controller difficult to use, and many might prefer the touchscreen interface.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat came well-equipped with safety features. Standard systems included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. An automatic post-collision braking system was also standard, helping to reduce the risk of secondary collisions. The Passat SE added adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, while the SEL trim included parking assist sensors and adaptive headlights. The Passat earned a top rating of Good in crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2021 MINI Cooper did not receive a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS. It scored top "Good" ratings in crash tests but received "Acceptable" or "Poor" ratings for headlights. The standard front crash prevention systems earned "Advanced" scores, and the LATCH system received a "Marginal" rating for ease of use. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not rated the 2021 MINI Cooper. 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.