2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vs 2021 MINI Cooper

The 2021 MINI Cooper was renowned for its iconic styling, which was as recognizable as the Jeep Wrangler. Its rounded shape, compact dimensions, and a wide array of color choices set it apart in the subcompact car market. MINI offered numerous customization options, including exterior and roof graphics like the Union Jack flag, and hidden Easter eggs such as Union Jack taillights. Despite being larger than the original Mini, the Cooper maintained its compact charm, with available wheel and trim upgrades enhancing its appeal. Inside, the MINI Cooper continued its unique design language with circular motifs throughout the seats, dash, and center stack. The infotainment touchscreen was mounted within a circular light ring, adding to the funky aesthetic. While the cabin was high quality, space was limited, with the back seats more suited for packages than passengers.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid carried over its bold design from the previous model year, standing out even in a market embracing aggressive styling. While the Honda Accord Hybrid felt more upscale and offered better acceleration, and the Camry Hybrid had similar performance, the Sonata Hybrid's styling was distinctive. Some found its catfish-like appearance off-putting, but it was undeniably eye-catching. The test model featured a matte gray paint scheme, complemented by details like an integrated deck-lid spoiler and aerodynamic strakes in the taillights. Inside, the cabin was more conventional and refined, with soft-touch surfaces and a modern, haptic bezel surrounding the vivid touchscreen infotainment system. The seats were comfortable and supportive, even on long trips, and rear-seat passengers enjoyed ample comfort. The Sonata Hybrid was available in Blue, SEL, and Limited trims, each offering a range of features from aerodynamic wheels to a solar panel roof on the Limited trim.

The 2021 MINI Cooper offered four powertrain options, each delivering a unique driving experience. The base model featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with 134 horsepower, while the Cooper S upgraded to a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 189 hp. The John Cooper Works (JCW) boasted a 228-hp turbo-four, and the John Cooper Works GP topped the range with a 301-hp turbo-four. All models came with front-wheel drive, with a six-speed manual standard on the Cooper and Cooper S, and a seven-speed automatic available. The JCW GP featured an eight-speed automatic transmission. The MINI's small size contributed to its energetic feel, with the turbocharged four-cylinder engines providing noticeable power, especially at highway speeds. The JCW GP model offered the best acceleration, akin to a rocket ship. However, the Cooper's stiff ride could become tiresome on long drives, with road imperfections feeling larger than they were. Despite this, the Cooper's agility made it a fun car to drive. Fuel economy varied, with the Convertible being the most efficient at 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid combined a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and battery pack, delivering a total of 192 horsepower to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. The Limited trim featured a solar panel roof, adding about two miles per day to the driving range. The Sonata Hybrid offered solid pickup, with enough power for highway speeds and overtaking. A Drive Mode toggle allowed drivers to select Eco, Sport, Custom, and Smart modes, with Smart mode switching between Eco and Sport based on driving behavior. The Sonata Hybrid often started in battery-only mode, with visual aids indicating readiness to drive. The transition to engine power was seamless, though the engine could be noisy under hard acceleration. The Sonata Hybrid impressed with its refined driving dynamics, light yet precise steering, and minimal body roll in turns. The brakes provided solid stopping power with a soft pedal feel.

The 2021 MINI Cooper's interior was a nod to its heritage, with the rear seat more suited for cargo than passengers. The front seats were comfortable, offering decent head and legroom for average adults, though taller drivers might struggle with knee placement due to the dash shape. The front cabin was cozy, but space was limited. Interior storage was tight, with a center console barely large enough for a smartphone and small door pockets. Cooper Hatchbacks offered decent cargo space, with back seats that folded down for more storage. Convertible models had a small cargo hold under the folding top compartment, with limited usable space in the back.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid offered 16 cubic feet of trunk space, matching the conventionally-powered Sonata and ranking among the largest in midsize hybrid sedans. While the Honda Accord Hybrid had slightly more space, the Sonata surpassed the Camry Hybrid. The cabin provided ample legroom for front passengers and decent rear-seat space, accommodating four adults and their bags comfortably for a weekend trip. The sloping, coupe-like profile resulted in a low roof area, requiring rear passengers to lower their heads when entering. Once inside, rear headroom was adequate. Front passengers had cargo pockets in their doors and a decently-sized center console. The tray at the bottom of the center stack housed the wireless charging pad in the test model, serving as a convenient spot for phones, wallets, or keys.

The 2021 MINI Cooper was not the most generous with standard features. The base model came with a 6.5-inch screen, with an optional 8.8-inch unit offering 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, enhancing the technology experience. However, Android Auto was not available, leaving many users reliant on Bluetooth. MINI used BMW's infotainment software, featuring a physical iDrive controller in the center console. The tight space between the front seats made it difficult to use, leading some to prefer touchscreen interaction.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with the Limited trim upgrading to a 10.25-inch screen with navigation and real-time traffic updates. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allowed for preferred navigation apps, though CarPlay only occupied two-thirds of the screen, with a customizable information panel on the remaining third. The touchscreen layout was intuitive, with crisp graphics on the larger screen. The stereo featured a traditional volume knob, though channel selection used haptic buttons. The SEL and Limited trims included a wireless charging pad, and the Limited featured a head-up display (HUD). The HUD's adjustability was limited, potentially cutting off part of the image for taller drivers.

The 2021 MINI Cooper did not receive a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It scored "Good" ratings in crash tests but received "Acceptable" or "Poor" ratings for headlights. The standard front crash prevention systems earned "Advanced" scores, while the LATCH system received a "Marginal" rating for ease of use. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not 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 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid came standard with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, including forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. It also included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-follow assist, and a driver-attention monitor. The Limited trim added a head-up display, 360-degree surround-view parking monitor, and front and rear parking sensors. Alerts for safety features were not overly intrusive but kept drivers informed. The Sonata Hybrid earned a 2021 IIHS Top Safety Pick designation and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.