2021 Subaru Impreza vs 2021 MINI Cooper

The 2021 MINI Cooper was renowned for its iconic styling, characterized by its rounded shape and compact dimensions, making it instantly recognizable. It offered a wide variety of color choices and customization options, including unique graphics for the roof and hidden Easter eggs like Union Jack taillights. Despite being larger than the original Mini, the MINI Cooper maintained its distinct design with wheel and trim upgrades available. Inside, the MINI Cooper continued its unique styling with circular design elements throughout the cabin, including a funky infotainment touchscreen. While the interior was high quality, space was limited, especially in the back seats, which were more suitable for storage than passengers.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Impreza adopted a more conservative design compared to its predecessors, with sleek headlights and taillights that enhanced its width. The sedan and hatchback models featured a nicely-tapered front end and subtle body scalloping. The Impreza Sport models had specific styling touches, such as 18-inch alloy wheels. Built on the Subaru Global Platform, the Impreza shared its foundation with other Subaru models, contributing to its overall refinement. Inside, the Impreza's design was typical for compact cars, with a split dashboard housing the infotainment touchscreen. The Sport trim added contrast stitching and aluminum pedals, while the Limited trim offered leather upholstery and LED headlights.

The 2021 MINI Cooper offered four powertrain options, starting with a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine producing 134 horsepower. The Cooper S featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 189 hp, while the John Cooper Works (JCW) and JCW GP models boasted 228 hp and 301 hp, respectively. All models came with front-wheel drive, and transmission options included a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic, with the JCW GP featuring an eight-speed automatic. The MINI Cooper was known for its sprightly and energetic feel, with the turbocharged four-cylinder engines providing more power, especially at highway speeds. However, the ride was somewhat stiff, making long drives less comfortable. The MINI excelled in agility and cornering, offering an engaging driving experience. Fuel economy varied, with the most efficient model being the Convertible at 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza was equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, delivering 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. Most models featured a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), while a five-speed manual was available on select trims. The Impreza Sport had model-specific suspension tuning and torque vectoring for the all-wheel-drive system. The Impreza was praised for its agreeable daily driving experience, offering a solid and refined ride. The Sport trim balanced ride quality and handling, but the steering and engine power limited its appeal as a true driver's car.

The 2021 MINI Cooper's interior was designed with heritage in mind, but space was limited. The rear seat was more practical for cargo storage than passengers, while the front seats provided decent comfort and headroom for average adults. Taller drivers might have struggled with knee placement due to the dash shape. Interior storage was tight, with limited space in the center console and door pockets. Hatchback models offered decent cargo space with foldable back seats, while Convertible models had minimal usable space.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza offered reasonable legroom in both the sedan and hatchback models, though headroom was slightly below average. The sedan had 12.3 cubic feet of trunk space, the least among compact sedans, but featured a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The hatchback provided 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space, more than some competitors, and expanded to 55.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Higher trim levels included an All-Weather Package with heated features, while the Sport trim added keyless entry and the Limited trim offered a power driver’s seat and automatic climate control.

The 2021 MINI Cooper was not particularly generous with standard features. It came with a 6.5-inch screen, with an optional 8.8-inch unit offering SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and more. Optional features included a Harman Kardon sound system and LED headlights. MINI's use of physical controls improved usability, but the lack of Android Auto was a drawback. The infotainment system, borrowed from BMW, included a physical iDrive controller, though its placement made it difficult to use.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on base and Premium trims, while higher trims had an 8-inch screen. The Limited trim offered optional navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. A secondary display provided additional information, though it seemed redundant. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large icons and easy access to functions, though it lacked advanced features for tech-savvy users.

The 2021 MINI Cooper did not receive a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, though it scored "Good" in crash tests. Headlight ratings varied, and the LATCH system received a "Marginal" rating. The NHTSA had not rated the 2021 model. Standard safety features included forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, with additional features available as options.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza received a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS, with "Good" scores in all crash tests. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. Subaru's EyeSight safety tech was standard on CVT models, offering features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist. Additional options included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.