2021 MINI Cooper vs 2021 Toyota Prius

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 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 Toyota Prius retained its boomerang-shaped hood and roofline, a design ingrained into its identity since the second-generation model. Despite advancements in aerodynamic vehicle design, the Prius stuck to its unique look, which was not universally praised. The interior was equally unconventional, with instrumentation in a strip of displays near the windshield and a toggle lever for transmission controls. The dashboard wrapped dramatically into the door panels, and the infotainment pod was thrust toward the front seat occupants. Gloss-black trim attracted dust and fingerprints. The Prius was available in several trims, including an AWD option, and offered the utility of a crossover SUV without the rugged looks. Prices ranged from $24,525 to $32,650, with our test vehicle priced at $31,295.

The 2021 MINI Cooper offered four powertrain options. The base model featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with 134 horsepower. The Cooper S had 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, while the Cooper S Convertible returned 23/32/26 mpg.

The 2021 Toyota Prius focused on fuel efficiency, with the L Eco version averaging 56 mpg in combined driving according to the EPA. Other front-drive models earned 52 mpg, while AWD-e models managed 49 mpg. The Prius paired an Atkinson-cycle 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with a 53-kilowatt electric motor, an electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT), and either a lithium-ion (FWD) or nickel-metal hydride (AWD-e) battery pack. Total system output was 121 horsepower, with 120 pound-feet of torque from the electric motor providing lively acceleration from a stop. The Prius offered Eco, Normal, and Power driving modes, with the latter adding noise rather than quicker acceleration. The TNGA platform gave the Prius a lower center of gravity and a more athletic feel, allowing it to handle curvy roads with some enthusiasm. However, hard acceleration produced powertrain drone, and the steering lacked road feel. The Prius excelled in urban and low-speed driving, making it ideal for daily commuting.

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 due to the dash shape. 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 minimal usable space in the back.

The 2021 Toyota Prius offered more interior space than expected, accommodating up to five people. The seats were comfortable, though the SofTex synthetic leather could be sticky. Our test vehicle featured an eight-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seats provided adequate foot room, legroom, and headroom for adults but lacked air-conditioning vents. Cargo space varied by trim, with 24.6 to 27.4 cubic feet behind the back seat and up to 50.7 cubic feet with the seat folded down.

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, 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 while driving. 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 Toyota Prius featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with stereo-volume and tuning knobs, and shortcut buttons. Standard equipment included Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Toyota’s Safety Connect and WiFi Connect were also standard. The stereo speaker sound quality was poor, and road noise overwhelmed it on the highway. The Limited trim offered a 10-speaker JBL premium sound system, navigation, and a natural voice recognition system, paired with an 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen. The digital instrumentation was dated with cheesy graphics.

The 2021 MINI Cooper did not receive 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 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 Prius came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) as standard, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and road-sign recognition. Higher trims included blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Safety Connect services were also standard, offering automatic collision notification, emergency assistance, roadside assistance, and a stolen vehicle locator. The NHTSA had not rated the 2021 Prius, but the IIHS gave it favorable marks, though it did not achieve a Top Safety Pick designation.