2021 Lexus ES vs 2021 MINI Cooper

The 2021 MINI Cooper was known for its iconic styling, which made it instantly recognizable, much like 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 for the exterior, including graphics for the roof and various wheel and trim upgrades. Inside, the MINI Cooper continued its unique design language with circular shapes dominating the seats, dash, and center stack. The high-quality cabin, however, was notably cramped, especially in the back seats, which were more suitable for packages than passengers.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus ES expanded its lineup to include the new ES 250 series, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive. The ES 350, with a 3.5-liter V6 and front-wheel drive, remained a staple. Lexus also offered the ES 300h, a gas-electric hybrid. The ES lineup included various trims such as Standard, F Sport, Luxury, and Ultra Luxury. The F Sport trim added sporty elements like 19-inch wheels, unique styling details, and a black headliner. The Black Line Special Edition, limited to 1,500 units, featured exclusive black and white interior and exterior elements. The ES's design, especially in F Sport trim, was long, lean, and artfully detailed, making it a visually appealing sedan.

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 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's small size made it feel spritely and energetic, though the turbocharged four-cylinder engines provided noticeably better performance at highway speeds. The JCW GP, in particular, offered impressive acceleration. However, the MINI's stiff ride could be tiresome on long drives, and its agility came at the cost of comfort. Fuel economy varied, with the most efficient model being the Convertible at 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2021 Lexus ES 350 featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The ES 350 could accelerate to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds, with an EPA rating of 25 mpg in combined driving. During testing, the ES 350 F Sport felt quicker than its official acceleration time, though it struggled with traction at times. The adaptive damping suspension added Sport+ and Custom driving modes, enhancing the driving experience. The ES 350 F Sport offered a firm ride, flat cornering stance, and overall athleticism, making it a surprisingly competent and enjoyable car to drive. However, it was not an outright sports sedan, a role reserved for other Lexus models like the IS 350 F Sport.

The 2021 MINI Cooper's interior continued its heritage with a design that prioritized style over space. The rear seat was more useful for cargo storage than for 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 small center console storage and 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 Lexus ES, particularly the ES 350 F Sport, featured sport-bolstered front seats with 10-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The NuLuxe synthetic leather provided excellent comfort. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed good foot and legroom, with supportive cushions and a comfortable backrest angle. The ES offered rear air conditioning vents and an available power rear window sunshade. Outward visibility was excellent, and storage was plentiful, though oddly configured. The trunk measured 13.9 cubic feet, with a hands-free power trunk available for added convenience.

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 Lexus ES had a more complex infotainment system. The touchpad required attention to operate, making it easy to overshoot targets. However, the climate and primary stereo controls were separate and easily accessible. The ES featured dynamic voice command technology, a 12.3-inch widescreen display, and a range of connected services. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, and HD Radio. The ES also offered a 10-speaker premium sound system, with an optional 17-speaker Mark Levinson system for superior audio quality.

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 rated the 2021 model. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and rear parking sensors, with optional features like front parking sensors, a parking assistance system, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning.

The 2021 Lexus ES included Lexus Safety System 2.0, which bundled advanced driving assistance systems like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, adaptive cruise control, road-sign recognition, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all trims except the base. The ES earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.