2021 Mazda MAZDA3 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, with the back seats best used for packages rather than passengers.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3, after its 2019 redesign, won the World Car Design of the Year for 2020. Its bodywork reflected drama and sophistication, with the 4-door sedan being the more conservative version and the 5-door hatchback adopting a more aggressive stance. The 2.5 Turbo model, available in both body styles, included all-wheel drive and came in standard or Premium Plus trim. The base price for the sedan was $29,900, while the hatchback with Premium Plus trim was $33,750. The test car, a sedan with Premium Plus trim and Machine Gray Metallic paint, cost $33,890. Interior options varied by trim level, with the Premium Plus offering Nappa leather. The Mazda3 Turbo's interior featured high-contrast two-tone leather, bright metallic accents, and clear gauges, aiming to move the brand into premium territory. Despite some hard plastic trim, the design was paramount, with the driver-focused cabin revolving around the person in control.

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, with a six-speed manual standard for the Cooper and Cooper S, and a seven-speed automatic available. 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 models had a somewhat stiff ride, making long drives tiresome. The most efficient MINI Cooper was the Convertible, delivering 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 Turbo featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque with 93-octane fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft with 87-octane. The Mazda3 Turbo came with a six-speed automatic transmission and i-Activ AWD system, enhancing corner-exit capability. The turbocharged powertrain added no more than 120 pounds to the car, significantly improving performance. Mazda tuned the powertrain for smooth, predictable, and consistent response, delivering stunning speed without freneticism. Sport mode adjusted the transmission for precise shifts and improved turn-in when cornering. The Mazda3 Turbo had stiffer front suspension springs and dampers, 18-inch wheels, and 215/45 Bridgestone Turanza all-season tires. Despite lacking stickier tires, the Mazda3 Turbo was delicately calibrated for maximum driving pleasure. During testing, it averaged 20.4 mpg, below the EPA estimate of 27 mpg combined.

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 Mazda MAZDA3 2.5 Turbo's interior, lined in Nappa leather with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, felt luxurious. However, it lacked some premium details, such as power adjustment for the front passenger seat and ventilation for the front seats. Rear-seat passengers had cramped accommodations without air conditioning vents or USB charging ports. In-cabin storage was adequate but limited, especially if opting for wireless smartphone charging, which reduced center console bin capacity. The sedan's trunk space was competitive at 13.2 cubic feet, while the hatchback offered 20.1 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 47.1 cubic feet with it folded down.

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 offering SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and more. 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 reliant 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 Mazda MAZDA3 featured Mazda Connect, an 8.8-inch display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year trial of Mazda Connected Services. A WiFi hotspot was available, and the MyMazda app provided remote operation of the car. The infotainment screen was not touch-sensitive, relying on voice recognition, which was subpar. The system's controls were not intuitive, causing frustration. The Mazda3 Turbo included a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system with Audio Pilot road noise reduction and improved sound quality. An Active Driving Display (HUD) was standard, showing speed, speed limits, and safety technology status.

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 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 Mazda MAZDA3's i-ActiveSense ADAS aimed to support the driver. The system included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, automatic high-beam LED headlights with an Adaptive Front Lighting System, and more. The Premium Plus trim added a high-definition surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, low-speed reverse automatic braking, and Traffic Jam Assist. The Mazda3 excelled in crash tests, earning top five-star ratings from the NHTSA in every assessment, including rollover resistance. The IIHS had not yet carried over the "Top Safety Pick+" rating from 2020.