2022 MINI Cooper vs 2021 Dodge Charger

The 2021 Dodge Charger, in its seventh generation, continued to captivate buyers with its array of variants, including the top-tier SRT Hellcat Redeye. Despite the subtle differences among models, the Charger maintained a consistent design, appealing to the "brotherhood of muscle" with its widebody options and distinctive Hellcat badging. The car's exterior featured a range of tire, wheel, brake, and color options, with halogen projector headlights and optional HID projector lights. However, the design had remained largely unchanged for a decade, making it difficult for casual observers to determine the model's age.

Inside, the Charger had seen updates in technology but still lacked in comfort and convenience features. The fit and finish had improved, but the gauge cluster and climate controls revealed the car's age. The interior featured a mix of hard plastic and rubberized surfaces, with cloth seats standard on most trims and Nappa leather on higher trims. Power-adjustable seats, heated and ventilated options, and a spacious trunk with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat added to its practicality. However, the higher-priced models lacked the premium accommodations expected at their price point.

The 2022 MINI Cooper, refreshed for the model year, retained its iconic design while incorporating modern updates. The lineup included the Hardtop, Convertible, Clubman, and Countryman, with the Hardtop and Convertible commonly referred to as the MINI Cooper. The 2022 models featured restyled bumpers, a new grille, standard LED headlights, and updated side scuttle designs. New wheel designs and paint colors, along with the Piano Black Exterior treatment, added to the car's charm.

Inside, the MINI Convertible exuded personality with its retro-modern design and customizable options. The new steering wheel and next-generation infotainment system with an 8.8-inch touchscreen display enhanced the driving experience. However, the car's form-over-function approach resulted in limited rear seat space and storage. The trunk offered just 5.2 cubic feet of space, and the cabin's storage was minimal. Despite these limitations, the MINI Convertible provided a unique open-air driving experience with its quick-folding top and distinctive styling.

The 2021 Dodge Charger excelled in performance, offering a range of engines to suit different preferences. The SXT, SXT AWD, GT, and GT AWD models were powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering up to 300 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque. The Charger R/T featured a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque, providing a 1,000-pound towing capacity. The Charger Scat Pack models boasted a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 with 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque.

The SRT Hellcat models took performance to the next level with a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8. The SRT Hellcat produced 717 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, while the SRT Hellcat Redeye delivered an impressive 797 hp and 707 lb-ft of torque. Despite its power, the Redeye's powertrain was manageable and versatile, though it was the least fuel-efficient, with an EPA-estimated 12 mpg in the city, 21 mpg on the highway, and 15 mpg combined. The Charger offered a connected driving experience with configurable drive modes and Performance Pages for SRT models, though braking performance was softer than ideal for track driving.

The 2022 MINI Cooper offered a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with 134 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, taking over eight seconds to reach 60 mph. The Cooper S model featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 189 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque, achieving 60 mph in under seven seconds. Both engines were available with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and the MINI Convertible was front-wheel drive.

The Cooper S test car with a manual transmission provided a fun driving experience, averaging 27.1 mpg in combined driving. The JCW models offered a tuned version of the Cooper S engine with 235 hp and 228 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in just over six seconds. The MINI Convertible's handling was less sporty than expected, with a sticky off-center steering response and gooey brake pedal feel. The car's tires struggled on curves, and the rearview mirror's location hindered visibility. Despite these issues, the MINI Convertible retained some of its fun factor, though it felt disconnected from the road compared to earlier models.

The 2021 Dodge Charger, a four-door, five-passenger sedan, balanced speed and power with practicality. The spacious back seat and comfortable accommodations made it a viable family car. The instrument cluster varied by model, with different speedometer readings based on the car's top speed. The steering wheel was functional, with easy-to-reach buttons and paddle shifters on all but the base model. The 60/40 split-folding rear seat expanded the trunk space, which was average compared to other large cars.

The 2022 MINI Cooper prioritized form over function, especially in the Convertible model. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, but the rear seats were essentially useless, even for pre-teen children. The trunk offered just 5.2 cubic feet of space, accessible through a bottom-hinged lid. Cabin storage was minimal, with the infotainment system's controls consuming valuable space. While the MINI Convertible's limited space was expected, other MINI models like the Hardtop 4 Door, Clubman, and Countryman offered more practicality.

The 2021 Dodge Charger came with basic standard features, including push-button start, a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, a six-speaker audio system, four USB ports, Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, satellite radio, keyless entry, and a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen. Available features included a sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, an 8.4-inch touchscreen, upgraded audio systems, HD Radio, navigation, and a WiFi hotspot. However, the lack of a head-up display and the outdated Uconnect system made the Charger feel lower-tech.

The 2022 MINI Cooper introduced the MINI Connected infotainment system with a standard 8.8-inch touchscreen display, LED lighting, and customizable widgets. The system offered Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa integration, SiriusXM satellite radio, and BMW-based connected services. Navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a Harman Kardon sound system were available. The digital instrument cluster and head-up display added to the tech-savvy feel, though the screens occasionally washed out in direct sunlight. The Harman Kardon sound system impressed with its quality, overcoming ambient noise even at highway speeds.

The 2021 Dodge Charger had not been crash-tested by the IIHS, but the 2020 model received mostly "Good" ratings, with "Poor" marks for headlights. The NHTSA gave the 2021 Charger a four-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included brake assist, electronic stability control, hill start assist, rear park assist, rain brake support, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic headlights were available on some models.

The 2022 MINI Cooper benefited from its increased size, offering better protection in collisions. However, it had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. The MINI Convertible came with standard Driving Assistant technology, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Adaptive cruise control was available with automatic transmission models, but blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were not offered. The lane-departure warning system was effective, providing subtle steering wheel vibrations.