2021 Honda Civic 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 various wheel and trim upgrades. Inside, the MINI Cooper continued its unique design language with plenty of circles and rounded shapes, a funky infotainment touchscreen, and circular air vents. Despite the high-quality feel, the cabin was notably cramped, especially in the back seats, which were best used for storage rather than passengers.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Civic had a more traditional yet still appealing design. The Civic sedan, hatchback, and performance-tuned Type R formats offered a variety of styles to choose from. The Civic's design was polarizing when it first debuted, but it became a familiar sight on the roads. The Touring trim, with its Cosmic Blue Metallic paint and 18-inch wheels, looked particularly attractive. Inside, the Civic's cabin featured quality materials and thoughtful detailing, although the infotainment screen size of 7 inches showed its age. The interior design was less dramatic than when it first launched but remained functional and comfortable.

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, while the John Cooper Works (JCW) had a 228-hp turbo-four. The top-tier 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. The MINI felt energetic and agile, especially with the turbocharged engines, though the ride was stiff and could be tiresome on long drives. Fuel economy varied, with the most efficient model being the Convertible at 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2021 Honda Civic offered two main engine options. The LX and Sport trims came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The EX, EX-L, and Touring trims featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 174 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. The Civic's ride and handling were excellent, thanks to its sophisticated four-wheel independent suspension and responsive steering. However, the CVT was a drawback, as it could be droning and unsatisfying. Despite this, the Civic's fuel economy was impressive, averaging 34.8 mpg on a 140-mile driving loop, surpassing the EPA estimate of 33 mpg combined.

The 2021 MINI Cooper's interior was a nod to its heritage, with the rear seat more suitable for cargo than passengers. The front seats were comfortable with decent head and legroom, though taller drivers might struggle with knee placement due to the dash shape. Interior storage was limited, with a small center console and door pockets. The Hatchback models offered decent cargo space with the back seats folded down, while the Convertible models had minimal usable space in the back.

The 2021 Honda Civic sedan sat low to the ground, making entry and exit a bit of a workout. Once inside, the driver's seat offered eight-way power adjustment, but the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The Civic's interior was roomy, comparable to a decade-old midsize car, with excellent rear seat thigh support and a comfortable backrest angle. The center console provided ample storage, with trays, cupholders, and a deep center bin. The trunk was spacious, offering 15.1 cubic feet of space, or 14.7 cubic feet in the Touring trim due to the premium sound system.

The 2021 MINI Cooper was not 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, improving usability, but did not offer Android Auto, leaving many users reliant on Bluetooth.

The 2021 Honda Civic's technology showed its age. The LX trim had a 5-inch LCD screen, Bluetooth, and a 1.0-amp USB port. The Sport trim upgraded to a 7-inch touchscreen, an eight-speaker sound system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a more powerful USB port. The EX trim added HD Radio and SiriusXM, while the Touring trim included navigation and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The voice recognition system in the Touring trim was unsophisticated, and the premium sound system was nice but not essential.

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 rated the 2021 model. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and rear parking sensors, with other features available as options.

The 2021 Honda Civic came equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems. This included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Civic also offered LaneWatch, a camera-based system for monitoring the right lane. However, it lacked a traditional radar-based blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic warning. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS for the Touring trim and received five-star ratings from the NHTSA in every assessment.