2021 MINI Cooper vs 2021 Subaru Legacy

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 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 design. The cabin was generally high quality but lacked space, making the back seats more suitable for packages than passengers.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy, often overlooked in the midsize-sedan category, competed with favorites like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. Available in six trim levels, the Legacy carried over much of the body and mechanics of the Subaru Outback wagon into sedan form. For 2021, Subaru added standard low-beam and high-beam steering-responsive LED headlights and high-beam assist. The Legacy's looks were not particularly stylish but stayed true to Subaru branding, offering a safe and assuring vehicle. Seventeen-inch steel wheels were standard, with options for alloy and machine-finished wheels. The Legacy also featured power-folding outside mirrors, a power moonroof, and an All-Weather Package. The interior was subdued with high-quality materials, though some fit-and-finish issues were noted. Cloth upholstery was standard, with leather available at extra cost.

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 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 most efficient MINI Cooper was the Convertible, delivering 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy offered two engine options. The Base, Premium, Sport, and Limited trims were powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The Limited XT and Touring XT trims featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). All-wheel drive was standard, a unique feature in the midsize sedan category. The Legacy's AWD system kept the car planted over rough terrain and absorbed bumps well. Steering was well-balanced at low speeds but became challenging at highway speeds without lane-centering technology. The 2.5-liter engine achieved an EPA-estimated 27 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined, while the turbo engine earned 24 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined.

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 for average adults, though taller drivers might struggle with knee placement. 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 Subaru Legacy improved comfort with a sound-insulation windshield and better seat positioning. The Base model had manually adjustable front seats, while other trims featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and either a four-way or eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat. The Legacy provided ample back seat room for adults, with additional legroom from the 2020 redesign. Heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel were available. The Legacy had 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space, which was less than some competitors but sufficient for groceries and luggage.

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 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 to rely on Bluetooth. The infotainment system used BMW’s software with a physical iDrive controller, which was difficult to reach and use due to the tight space.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy's base model had dual 7-inch infotainment and climate control displays. Higher trims featured an 11.6-inch infotainment screen with on-screen buttons for various controls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a 12-volt power outlet, USB ports, and automatic climate control. Upmarket trims added more USB ports, Subaru Starlink Connected Services, navigation, a Harman Kardon audio system, and more. The 11.6-inch screen had an unsophisticated appearance but was easy to navigate. The housing for the screens attracted fingerprints, but the button for automatic start/stop was conveniently placed.

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 front crash prevention systems earned "Advanced" scores, and the LATCH system received a "Marginal" rating. The NHTSA had not rated the 2021 MINI Cooper. 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 Subaru Legacy earned top scores in every category from the IIHS and was named a Top Safety Pick. The NHTSA gave the Legacy a five-star overall rating. The Legacy came standard with Subaru EyeSight technology, including adaptive cruise control, pre-collision automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning. Additional features included reverse automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring. The seat-belt monitoring system was very sensitive and loud. The EyeSight system was easy to use but could be annoying with frequent alerts. The Legacy came with a three-year/36,000-mile new car limited warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain limited warranty.