2021 MINI Cooper vs 2021 BMW 5 Series

The 2021 MINI Cooper carried an iconic styling that was immediately recognizable, much like the Jeep Wrangler. Its rounded shape, compact dimensions, and a wide variety of color choices set it apart in the subcompact car market. MINI offered several customization options for the exterior, including graphics for the roof and hidden Easter eggs like Union Jack taillights. Despite its small size, the MINI Cooper was larger than the original Mini, with available wheel and trim upgrades depending on the model.

Inside, the MINI Cooper continued its unique design language with plenty of circles and rounded shapes. The infotainment touchscreen was mounted inside a circular light ring, and the air vents were also circular. The cabin was generally high quality but lacked space, especially in the back seats, which were best used for cargo rather than passengers. The front seats were comfortable, but the overall space was limited.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series had the most restrained design among BMW sedans, lacking the design flourishes of the 3 Series and the imposing size of the 7 Series. For 2021, it received a minor styling refresh that gave it a sleeker look. The standard LED headlights were more streamlined, and the twin-kidney grille was larger but not overly so. Other changes included trapezoidal tailpipes, new L-shaped taillights, and updated front and rear bumpers for the M Sport Package. The 5 Series was 1.2 inches longer than before, maintaining a good drag coefficient of 0.27.

The interior design remained familiar, with the same BMW layout. The positioning of the touchscreen, the shifter, and even the typefaces and door chimes were distinctly BMW. Lower trim levels came with standard SensaTec upholstery, while higher trims offered Dakota and Nappa leather at an extra cost. The 540i xDrive test car featured Nappa leather in Mocha, which looked and felt premium. Aluminum trim with a scale pattern added to the high-end feel, but the leather-wrapped sport steering wheel felt out of place due to its size and the minimal effort required by the electric power steering.

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 a six-speed manual standard for the Cooper and Cooper S, and a seven-speed automatic available. The JCW GP came with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The MINI Cooper felt spritely and energetic due to its small size. The turbocharged four-cylinder engines provided noticeably stronger performance than the three-cylinder, especially at highway speeds. The JCW GP model offered the best acceleration, feeling like a proper rocket ship. However, all models had a somewhat stiff ride, making long drives tiresome. The car felt agile and ready to change direction quickly, making it fun to drive in most situations. Fuel economy varied, with the most efficient being the Convertible at 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined, while the Cooper S Convertible returned 23/32/26 mpg.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series offered a wide array of powertrain options. The base 530i sedan had a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, capable of 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds. The 540i featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, producing 335 hp and 362 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds with rear-wheel drive and 4.6 seconds with xDrive all-wheel drive. Both models had an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The M550i xDrive had a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 532 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, reducing the 0-60 mph time by 1.0 second compared to the 540i xDrive. The M5, with a more powerful version of the V8, offered 617 hp in Competition spec, achieving 0-60 mph in just 3.1 seconds. The 530e plug-in hybrid combined a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing 288 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, capable of 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds and offering significant electric-only driving range.

The 2021 MINI Cooper's interior continued its heritage with a rear seat more suitable for cargo than passengers. The front seats were comfortable with decent head and legroom for average adults, though taller drivers might struggle with knee placement due to the dash shape. Interior storage was tight, with a small center console and limited door pockets. The Hatchback models offered decent cargo space with foldable back seats, while Convertible models had a small cargo hold under the folding top compartment.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series, available only as a four-door, five-seat sedan in the U.S., felt spacious inside. Front-seat space was competitive, and the rear seats, though slightly less roomy on paper, offered plenty of room for occupants. The 540i had 14.0 cubic feet of trunk space, more than the Audi A6 or Mercedes-Benz E-Class, with a 40/20/20 split-folding rear bench for longer items. The test car featured 16-way power front seats with various adjustments, heating, and ventilation. Forward visibility was poor due to the long, high hood, but a surround-view camera system helped with parking.

The 2021 MINI Cooper wasn't generous with standard features. The base screen was a 6.5-inch unit, with an optional 8.8-inch unit offering SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and more. Optional features included a Harman Kardon sound system, automatic climate controls, and LED headlights. MINI included more physical controls, improving the technology experience. However, Android Auto was not available, leaving many users reliant on Bluetooth. The iDrive controller, borrowed from BMW, was difficult to use due to the tight space between the front seats.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series featured a standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with the latest iDrive 7 system and a 12.3-inch Live Cockpit Professional digital instrument cluster. Standard features included Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The graphics were excellent, but the instrument cluster layout could have been better. The rotary knob for infotainment functions provided a tactile feel, and voice control was available. Gesture controls were also an option but were less precise than traditional controls.

The 2021 MINI Cooper missed out on a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS. It scored top "Good" ratings in crash tests but had "Acceptable" or "Poor" ratings for headlights. The standard front crash prevention systems earned "Advanced" scores, and the LATCH system received a "Marginal" rating. The NHTSA had not yet rated the 2021 model. 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.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series had not been crash-tested by the IIHS, but the 2020 model received a "Top Safety Pick+" award. It scored top "Good" ratings in all crash tests and front-crash prevention tests. The standard headlights were rated "Marginal," but optional lights received a "Good" rating. The NHTSA had not published recent safety ratings. Standard safety features included lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. The Driving Assistance Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assist, lane-keep assist, and emergency stop assist.