2021 Lexus IS 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 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, including a funky infotainment touchscreen mounted inside a circular light ring. The cabin was generally high quality but lacked space, making the back seats more suitable for packages than passengers.

The 2021 Lexus IS made several statements about its driver with its athletic proportions and great stance. The design captured motion even while standing still, and the elegance was conveyed through the distance between the front axle and dashboard. The fast roofline and an interesting kick-up of the window base at the back of the passenger door made the cabin look more compact and sportier. The new spindle grille with diamond mesh and narrow headlights gave the IS an assertive look. Inside, the dash was tastefully simple, with a retro hi-fi feel to the center stack. The interior matched the exterior with bold, assertive choices and modern aesthetics. However, the analog clock felt outdated in the context of the modern design.

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 (FWD). The Cooper and Cooper S came with a standard six-speed manual, with a seven-speed automatic available as an option. The JCW 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 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.

The 2021 Lexus IS brought serious sport to the luxury sports sedan category. The IS 300 RWD had a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder turbocharged engine with 241 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The IS 300 AWD featured a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 with 260 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. The IS 350 models, both AWD and RWD, had the same V6 but tuned to 311 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. RWD models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while AWD models had a six-speed automatic. The IS had a top speed of 143 mph, with 0-60 mph acceleration ranging from 6.9 seconds for the IS 300 RWD to 5.6 seconds for the IS 350 RWD. The IS felt crisp, precise, and balanced, thanks to its double-wishbone front and multi-link rear independent suspension and electrically powered rack-and-pinion steering. Fuel efficiency varied, with the IS 300 RWD rated at 21/31/25 mpg city/highway/combined, and the IS 350 AWD at 19/26/22 mpg.

The 2021 MINI Cooper's interior continued its heritage with a rear seat more suitable for cargo storage 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 Lexus IS focused on a driver-centered form and function. The driver position was easily adjustable and paired with a comfortable, supportive seat. The F Sport trim's bolstered seat, standard in IS 350 models, included heating and ventilation. The IS featured perforated NuLuxe fabric, a synthetic upholstery that looked and felt like leather but was eco-friendly, lightweight, and easier to clean. The IS had ample storage space, including an open cubby, twin cupholders, big door pockets, a decent glovebox, and an under-armrest compartment. The second row was comfortable for two but cramped for three, with legroom negotiable with front-seat occupants. The trunk offered 10.8 cubic feet of space, with a deep configuration and a temporary spare stored beneath the load floor.

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 the technology experience. However, Android Auto was not available, leaving many users to rely on Bluetooth. The infotainment system used BMW's software with a physical iDrive controller, though the tight space made it difficult to use.

The 2021 Lexus IS offered a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The touchpad remained but was no longer the default option. Lexus included various connected services with free trial periods. Lexus Enform Safety Connect came with a three-year trial, Service Connect with a 10-year complimentary subscription, WiFi with a 4GB/three-month trial, and Remote with a three-year trial. The Navigation Package included Dynamic Navigation and Destination Assist for the first three years. The Mark Levinson 17-speaker, 1,800-watt premium surround-sound audio system was a recommended option, providing superb audio quality.

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 earned a "Marginal" rating for ease of use. 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 Lexus IS had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. However, it came with the standard Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, which included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with steering assist, road-sign recognition, enhanced lane-tracing assist, full-speed dynamic adaptive cruise control, and intelligent high beams. Additional safety features included vehicle dynamic integrated management, tire pressure monitoring, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a backup camera with dynamic gridlines, LED headlamps, taillamps, and running lights, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect with a three-year trial. The IS also had four-channel/four-sensor anti-lock braking with power-assisted disc brakes.