2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs 2021 MINI Cooper

The 2021 MINI Cooper was renowned for its iconic styling, which made it as recognizable as the Jeep Wrangler. Its rounded shape, compact dimensions, and a wide array of color choices set it apart in the subcompact car market. MINI offered numerous customization options, including exterior and top graphics like the Union Jack flag, and hidden Easter eggs such as Union Jack taillights. Despite its small size, the MINI Cooper was larger than the original Mini, with available wheel and trim upgrades. Inside, the MINI Cooper continued its unique design language with circular motifs throughout the seats, dash, and center stack. The cabin, while high in quality, was notably cramped, with back seats more suitable for packages than passengers.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI, on the other hand, carried a legacy of defining the hot hatch genre since its introduction as the "Volkswagen Rabbit GTI" in 1983. The GTI shared its basics with the regular Golf but included subtle enhancements that elevated it to a performance category. It featured small red GTI badges, a red horizontal strip across the grille, and painted brake calipers visible through 18-inch alloy wheels. The GTI's lowered stance, stainless-steel exhaust tips, and gloss black accents added to its sporty appearance. Inside, the GTI offered a sporty ambiance with red ambient lighting, a race-inspired steering wheel, and heated front sport seats, maintaining a high-quality feel throughout.

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 2.0-liter turbocharged 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, with manual and automatic transmission options. The MINI Cooper was known for its sprightly and energetic feel, though the turbocharged four-cylinder engines provided noticeably stronger performance, especially at highway speeds. The JCW GP model was particularly quick, offering the best acceleration. However, the MINI's ride was stiff, making long drives less comfortable, though it excelled in agility and cornering.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI was all about performance, featuring a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The GTI's handling was a standout feature, with four-wheel independent suspension and DCC adaptive damping in the Autobahn model. Variable-ratio steering and Golf R front brakes contributed to its sharp handling. The GTI's ride could be rough on ordinary roads, but it excelled on the right track. The GTI offered a choice between a DSG seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and a standard six-speed manual, with the latter providing a more engaging driving experience. The GTI achieved fuel economy of 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway/26 mpg combined with the manual transmission, and slightly better with the dual-clutch.

The 2021 MINI Cooper's interior was a nod to its heritage, with the rear seat more suited for cargo than passengers. The front seats were comfortable, offering decent head and legroom, though taller drivers might find knee placement challenging. Interior storage was limited, with small center console storage and door pockets. The Cooper Hatchback provided decent cargo space, with foldable back seats for additional storage, while the Convertible model had minimal usable space.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI excelled in form and function, with its hatchback design offering practicality for passengers and cargo. With a 103.6-inch wheelbase, the GTI was compact yet spacious, providing 17.4 cubic feet of luggage space behind the rear seats, expandable to 24.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. The GTI's dimensions made it easy to maneuver in tight spaces, aided by sharp steering and a tight turning circle. Inside, the GTI offered clever storage solutions, including large door pockets and well-sized cupholders, though the mechanical handbrake slightly interfered with access.

The 2021 MINI Cooper was not the most generous with standard features, offering a base 6.5-inch screen with an optional 8.8-inch unit that included SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and more. Optional features included a Harman Kardon sound system and LED headlights. MINI's use of physical controls improved usability, though 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 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured a standard analog gauge cluster, with a configurable driver information screen. The VW MIB touchscreen infotainment system was standard, with S models using a 6.5-inch screen and SE and Autobahn models featuring an 8-inch screen with navigation. The system supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink, with Bluetooth and USB ports included. Volkswagen Car-Net offered additional connectivity options, including Amazon Alexa integration. The GTI also came with standard LED lighting and other smart features like keyless access and rain-sensing wipers.

The 2021 MINI Cooper did not receive a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, though it scored "Good" ratings in crash tests. Its standard front crash prevention systems earned "Advanced" scores, but the LATCH system was rated "Marginal." The NHTSA had not rated the 2021 model. Standard safety features included forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, with optional features like adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" scores from the IIHS, except for an "Acceptable" score in small overlap front; passenger side, and headlights. The GTI offered a comprehensive array of standard safety systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Autobahn trim added more driver-assistance features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The GTI's sharp handling also contributed to its safety by potentially avoiding collisions.