2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 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 space. 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 various wheel and trim upgrades available. Inside, the MINI Cooper continued its unique design language with plenty of circles and rounded shapes, including a funky infotainment touchscreen design. The cabin was high quality but lacked space, making the back seats more suitable for packages than passengers.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, while not drastically different in exterior styling from its predecessor, boasted a drag coefficient of 0.22, making it more aerodynamic than a Toyota Prius. The new S-Class was slightly larger in all dimensions, with a classic Mercedes hood ornament and grille adding a touch of ostentation. Standard 19-inch wheels were available, with optional 20-inch and 21-inch wheels. The interior was designed around the infotainment touchscreen and digital instrument cluster, with a minimalist approach that included rectangular air vents and fewer analog controls. The ambient lighting system featured 250 LED elements and 64 color options, connected to infotainment and driver-assist functions. Interior materials included Nappa leather, open-pore wood trim, and aluminum inlays, with a two-panel glass roof providing ample light.

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 came with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The MINI felt spritely and energetic, with the turbocharged four-cylinder engines providing noticeable power at highway speeds. The JCW GP model offered the best acceleration. However, all models had a somewhat stiff ride, making long drives tiresome. The Cooper was agile and fun to drive, but not particularly comfortable. EPA fuel economy varied, with the most efficient being the Convertible at 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S500 4Matic used a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine, producing 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. The S580 4Matic had a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 496 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Both versions used a nine-speed automatic transmission and featured EQ Boost, a mild-hybrid system adding 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque for short bursts. The S500 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds, while the S580 did it in 4.4 seconds, with top speeds electronically limited to 130 mph. The S-Class had standard air suspension and an optional E-Active Body Control suspension system. It was the first S-Class with rear-wheel steering, reducing the turning circle by seven feet. The S580 was fast and comfortable, with precise steering and minimal body roll in Sport and Sport+ modes. However, there was noticeable wind noise at highway speeds.

The 2021 MINI Cooper's interior was more suited for cargo storage than passengers, especially in the rear seat. The front seats were comfortable with decent head and legroom, but 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 Cooper Hatchbacks offered decent cargo space with foldable back seats, while Convertible models had minimal usable space in the back.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class offered more front and rear headroom and rear legroom than its predecessor. It had more front headroom than competitors but the least front legroom. Shoulder room was segment-leading, contributing to a spacious feel. Cargo space increased to 12.9 cubic feet but was still less than other luxury sedans. The power-adjustable front seats had 19 motors for adjustment, heating, ventilation, and massage, with head restraints featuring tiny pillows. The center console had a large storage bin and a covered area for a wireless phone charger and cupholders. Rear-seat passengers had a large console/armrest with cupholders and climate controls. The optional Executive Line package added power-adjustable rear seats, four-zone climate control, and a reclining right-rear seat.

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 that was difficult to reach due to the tight space.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch OLED central touchscreen, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and six USB ports. A 30-speaker Burmester audio system and a rear-seat infotainment setup with 11.6-inch touchscreens and a 7-inch tablet were available. The updated Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) system had 50% more computing power. Functions like climate control and seat massagers moved to the touchscreen, but hard buttons remained for important functions. The voice-control system worked from all seats, and the augmented-reality head-up display projected navigation directions. The digital instrument cluster had small touchpads for changing views, and the ambient lighting reacted to certain functions. The S-Class allowed drivers to set up personal profiles accessed with biometric or facial recognition, and rear-seat occupants could send navigation directions to the main screen.

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. 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 Mercedes-Benz S-Class had no crash-test ratings from the NHTSA or IIHS. It featured a rear-passenger airbag and standard driver-assist features like adaptive cruise control, automated lane centering, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, lane-change assist, traffic-sign recognition, a driver-attention monitor, and a 360-degree camera system. Mercedes claimed improvements in traffic-sign recognition, lane-keep assist, and steering wheel sensors. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering performed better than most competitors, handling highway curves and reacting smoothly to traffic changes.