2021 Nissan Sentra 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 Union Jack taillights. Despite its small size, the MINI Cooper was larger than the original Mini, with wheel and trim upgrades available 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 design. The cabin was high quality but lacked space, making the back seats more suitable for packages than passengers.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra entered its eighth generation with an athletic exterior, featuring crisp bends and lines. The front end showcased Nissan’s V-Motion grille with a bold badge in the center of a black mesh. Expressive headlights gave the car a serious look, and eight exterior paint colors, including Monarch Orange Metallic and Electric Blue Metallic, added flair. The SR trim levels offered two-tone paint schemes to highlight the design. The Sentra’s interior featured a layered dash with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, textured plastic on the center console, and a flat-bottomed multi-function steering wheel. The second row was roomy for the class, though better suited for two passengers. The trunk offered 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space, with a 60/40 split second row for larger items.

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 due to its small size, 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 stiff ride, making long drives tiresome. The most efficient MINI Cooper was the Convertible, delivering 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra featured a new 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. It was front-wheel drive with an Xtronic CVT, providing adequate performance for commuting and city driving. Weighing between 3,036 to 3,084 pounds, the Sentra SR was relatively lightweight. Fuel economy was 29 mpg city/39 mpg highway/33 mpg combined for S and SV models, and 28 mpg city/37 mpg highway/32 mpg combined for SR models. The Sentra’s driving experience was enhanced by its well-aligned controls and solid feel. The CVT delivered smooth performance, and the suspension provided tidy road manners and cornering. The 149 hp felt balanced for fuel economy and daily driving needs.

The 2021 MINI Cooper’s interior continued its heritage with a rear seat more suitable for cargo than passengers. The front seats were comfortable with decent head and legroom for average adults, though taller drivers might struggle with knee placement. 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 Nissan Sentra’s interior featured well-placed controls and a traditional gear selector lever. It had open cupholders, a big glove compartment, and roomy covered storage beneath the center armrest. Two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and a 12-volt port were available, with a small cubby for devices. The Zero Gravity front bucket seats provided comfort on long rides, and the SV and SR models offered a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with heated front seats and a power-sliding glass moonroof as part of the Premium Package.

The 2021 MINI Cooper was not generous with standard features. The base screen was a 6.5-inch unit, with an 8.8-inch unit available 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 while driving. However, Android Auto was not available, leaving many users reliant on Bluetooth.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra started with a simple AM/FM/USB system with four speakers in the S model, upgraded to six speakers and SiriusXM in SV and SR models, with an optional Bose system in the SR. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all models, along with Bluetooth audio and hands-free features. The S model had a 7-inch touchscreen, while SV and SR models had an 8-inch touchscreen. NissanConnect services offered navigation, a WiFi hotspot, and remote access to vehicle functions via a smartphone app. The system also supported Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice commands.

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 yet 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, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra came with a comprehensive set of standard safety features, including multiple airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system with Easy-Fill Tire Alert, and Nissan Safety Shield 360. This included intelligent forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The Sentra received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.