2021 Toyota Camry 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 unique features 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. The infotainment touchscreen was mounted inside a circular light ring, and the air vents were also circular. The cabin was generally high quality but lacked space, especially in the back seats, which were best used for storage rather than passengers.

The 2021 Toyota Camry aimed to distance itself from its more generic predecessors by incorporating more exciting styling details. The flared wheel arches and thin headlights and taillights visually widened the car, while the SE, XSE, and TRD trims added fake vents that created visual clutter. The LE and XLE models featured a cleaner, though still massive, grille. The Camry was built on the TNGA-K platform, shared with other Toyota models like the Avalon and RAV4.

For 2021, Toyota updated the front-fascia styling on most trim levels, with the TRD model getting unique elements like a larger rear spoiler. The Nightshade Edition, based on the SE trim, featured blacked-out exterior trim and wheels. Standard wheels were 17-inch alloys on the base LE trim, with 18-inch and 19-inch options available on other models. Inside, the Camry's dashboard had a chaotic mix of trim elements, but the materials felt low-rent. The XLE and XSE models offered leather upholstery.

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.

The MINI Cooper felt spritely and energetic due to its small size. The turbocharged four-cylinder engines provided noticeably stronger performance, especially at highway speeds. The JCW GP model offered the best acceleration, feeling like a proper rocket ship. However, all models had a somewhat stiff ride, making long drives tiresome. The car felt agile and ready to change direction quickly, making it fun to drive, but it wasn't the most comfortable for extended trips. Fuel economy varied, with the most efficient being the Convertible at 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2021 Toyota Camry's base powertrain was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque with FWD, and slightly less with AWD. The XSE models had a dual-exhaust system, increasing output slightly. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard. Toyota also offered a 3.5-liter V6 with 301 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, and a hybrid version combining a 2.5-liter engine with electric assist for 208 hp.

The SE Nightshade Edition test car had the base four-cylinder and AWD, which provided a surprisingly sporty driving experience. The Dynamic Force engine was eager to rev and had a pleasant sound. The chassis struck a good balance between handling and ride quality, making the Camry fun to drive without being too stiff. The TRD model offered even sportier performance with chassis upgrades. The AWD system, derived from the RAV4, could send up to 50% of torque to the rear wheels but reverted to FWD when extra traction wasn't needed.

The 2021 MINI Cooper's interior was more suited for cargo storage than passengers, especially in the rear seats. 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 limited, with a small center console and door pockets. The Hatchback models offered decent cargo space with foldable back seats, while the Convertible had a small cargo hold under the folding top compartment.

The 2021 Toyota Camry offered generous rear headroom and legroom, though front headroom and legroom were below average. The front seats were adjustable and comfortable, with excellent outward visibility. Cargo space was 15.1 cubic feet, average for a midsize sedan but less than the Honda Accord's 16.7 cubic feet. In-cabin storage was limited, with small cupholders and door bottle holders. Toyota included analog controls for important functions, making them easy to use, though some controls were a long reach from the driver's seat. Dual-zone automatic climate control was available on higher trims.

The 2021 MINI Cooper wasn't generous with standard features. The base screen was a 6.5-inch unit, with an 8.8-inch unit available that included SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and more. Optional features included a Harman Kardon sound system, automatic climate controls, and LED headlights. MINI included more physical controls, improving usability, but did not offer Android Auto. The infotainment system used BMW's software, with a physical iDrive controller that was difficult to reach due to the tight space.

The 2021 Toyota Camry's standard infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, Siri Eyes Free, and SiriusXM. Higher trims got a 9-inch touchscreen, WiFi, navigation, and a nine-speaker JBL audio system. A 10-inch head-up display was available on the XSE and XLE trims. The system had a single USB media port, two USB charge ports, and a 12-volt outlet. The touchscreen menus were easy to navigate, though the graphics were plain. The system was functional but not a standout feature.

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" for headlights. The front crash prevention systems earned "Advanced" scores, and the LATCH system was rated "Marginal" for ease of use. 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 Toyota Camry earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The new TSS 2.5+ package included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and traffic-sign recognition. The adaptive cruise control could assist with lane changes, and forward-collision warning could detect cyclists and oncoming vehicles. The Rear Seat Reminder was standard, designed to prevent children or pets from being left unattended. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available as standalone options.