2021 Chrysler 300 vs 2021 MINI Cooper

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 various wheel and trim upgrades available depending on the model. Inside, the MINI Cooper continued its 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 cabin, though high quality, lacked space, making the back seats more suitable for packages than passengers.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 retained its classic "three-box design" since its major facelift in 2014, giving it a timeless profile. The car's appearance was reminiscent of another era, without the retrofuturist influence seen in cars like the Audi TT or Volkswagen Beetle. From the base 300 trim to the high-end 300S, the 300's design was something to be proud of. The grille and headlights had evolved over the years, with the 2021 model featuring bi-xenon halogen projector lamps and LED driving lamps on lower trims, and adaptive HID lamps on higher trims. Wheel options ranged from 17-inch silver alloys to 20-inch Black Noise wheels, depending on the trim. Inside, the Chrysler 300 offered interior quality that rivaled more expensive cars, with cloth upholstery on the base model and Nappa leather on higher trims. Heated front seats were standard on the top trims, with heated rear seats available as well.

The 2021 MINI Cooper offered four powertrain options. The base model featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with 134 horsepower. The Cooper S had a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine 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 (FWD). The Cooper and Cooper S came with a standard six-speed manual transmission, with a seven-speed automatic available as an option. The John Cooper Works GP had an eight-speed automatic transmission. The MINI felt spritely and energetic due to its small size, with the turbocharged four-cylinder engines providing noticeably stronger performance, especially at highway speeds. The JCW GP model offered the best acceleration. However, all Cooper models had a somewhat stiff ride, making long drives tiresome. The car's agility and readiness to change direction made it fun to drive, but it wasn't the most comfortable. EPA fuel economy varied, with the most efficient model being the Convertible at 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 wasn't designed for speed, but its 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine provided a solid 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in the 300 Touring and 300 Touring L, and 300 hp and 264 lb-ft in the 300S. The 300S also offered a 5.7-liter V8 with 363 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters on the 300S. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) was standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available for an additional $2,750, though not on the 300S. The base 300 with RWD and the V6 felt like a rental car upgrade, but it was quiet, capable, and comfortable. The AWD Touring L offered a traditional luxury driving experience, while the V8 in the 300S provided a fun, albeit not overwhelming, launch.

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 Cooper Hatchbacks offered decent cargo space with foldable back seats, while Convertible models had a small cargo hold under the folding top compartment.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 offered generous front and rear legroom, with 41.8 inches in the front and 40.1 inches in the back, surpassing entry-luxury competitors like the Lexus ES350. The 300 had 106.3 cubic feet of passenger volume, beating the Genesis G70 and Lexus ES350. Trunk volume was also strong at 16.3 cubic feet, enough to fit about four large suitcases.

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 that included SiriusXM satellite radio and Apple CarPlay. Optional features included a Harman Kardon sound system, automatic climate controls, and LED headlights. MINI included more physical controls than some automakers, improving usability while driving. However, Android Auto was not available, leaving many users reliant on Bluetooth.

The 2021 Chrysler 300's instrument panel and center stack remained largely unchanged, featuring the intuitive Uconnect 4C infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen. The system offered functionality with prominent knobs and excellent steering wheel controls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The $3,495 Popular Equipment Group added a 506-watt amp, nine premium Alpine speakers, GPS navigation, SiriusXM Traffic Plus, surround sound, a trunk-mounted subwoofer, and a dual-pane sunroof.

The 2021 MINI Cooper missed out on a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, scoring top "Good" ratings in crash tests but "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 Chrysler 300 received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but "Marginal" in small overlap tests and "Poor" for headlights. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating, with four-star driver and passenger side crash test ratings, and a four-star rollover rating. It received a five-star rating for the combined side barrier and side pole crash test. Standard safety features included active head restraints, airbags, traction and stability control, brake assist, rain brake support, ready alert braking, and hill start assist. Advanced safety features were available on higher trims and packages, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, lane departure warning, and rain-sensing wipers.