2021 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Acura TLX

The 2021 MINI Cooper was renowned for its iconic styling, easily recognizable alongside vehicles like 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 roof 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 shapes dominating the seats, dash, and center stack. The funky infotainment touchscreen was mounted inside a circular light ring, and circular air vents added to the theme. While the cabin was high quality, space was limited, with back seats more suitable for packages than passengers.

The 2022 Acura TLX presented a wide and long stance typical of a luxury sedan, appearing larger than its class competitors. It was notably wider than the BMW 3 Series, with a track width nearly three inches wider at the rear and almost two inches at the front. The TLX featured thin headlights, a five-sided grille, and a V-shaped front bumper, contributing to its substantial appearance. The Type S variant added exclusive features like the Tiger Eye Pearl paint and Performance Red Pearl, along with polished black accents and 20-inch Y-spoke gray wheels. Despite its large exterior, the TLX's interior was compact, with impressive detailing and a snug fit. The Type S models included faux-suede inserts and red stitching, offering a daring design not commonly found in competitors like Audi or Lexus.

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) 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's small size contributed to its energetic feel, with the turbocharged four-cylinder engines providing noticeable power, especially at highway speeds. The JCW GP model offered the best acceleration, feeling like a rocket ship. However, the Cooper's ride was somewhat stiff, making long drives tiresome, though it excelled in agility and cornering. Fuel economy varied, with the Convertible being the most efficient at 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2022 Acura TLX was equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The TLX started as a front-wheel drive vehicle, but the Super Handling-All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system was available for an additional $2000. This system improved stability and handling by varying torque at the rear wheels. The Type S model featured a 3.0-liter turbo V6 with 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, excelling on the track with its double-wishbone front suspension and Pirelli P Zero summer tires. The TLX's engine offered broad torque and minimal turbo lag, with the Sport+ driving mode enhancing the driving experience. The Type S had an active exhaust, though some found it too quiet. The regular TLX was more softly sprung, with the Type S providing a polished chassis without sacrificing comfort. Fuel economy for the Type S was 19/24/21 mpg city/highway/combined, while the regular TLX with SH-AWD achieved 21/29/24 mpg.

The 2021 MINI Cooper's interior was more suited for cargo storage than passengers, with the rear seat offering limited usability. The front seats were comfortable, providing 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. Hatchback models offered decent cargo space, with foldable back seats for additional storage. Convertible models had a small cargo hold under the folding top compartment, with minimal usable space in the back.

The 2022 Acura TLX, despite its large exterior, was tight for four passengers inside. The back seat had decent headroom but limited legroom, with a wheelbase slightly longer than a 3 Series. The front seats were comfortable, with the Type S offering thigh extensions and adjustable side bolsters. The driving position was low, with well-marked controls. Acura's touchpad interface for the infotainment system required acclimation, as it was not a traditional cursor trackpad. The trunk space was mediocre at 13.5 cubic feet, with a Honda Civic offering more luggage space. The TLX's design prioritized the double-wishbone suspension, which consumed more space than conventional setups.

The 2021 MINI Cooper was not 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, automatic climate controls, and LED headlights. MINI included more physical controls, improving the technology experience, but did not offer Android Auto, 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 2022 Acura TLX featured a simple and quick infotainment interface, though some typefaces were too small to read. The TLX had a head-up display available only with the Advance Package, not the Type S. The Advance Package also included 360-degree cameras, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The ELS Studio audio system with 17 speakers was standard, along with voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and 12-way heated front seats. The Technology Package linked climate control to navigation, adjusting air based on the sun's position. Standard features included "Jewel Eye" LED headlights, a garage door opener, and auto-dimming rearview mirror. AcuraWatch, a suite of driver assistance features, was standard.

The 2021 MINI Cooper did not receive a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, though it scored "Good" ratings in crash tests. Headlight ratings were "Acceptable" or "Poor," and the LATCH system received a "Marginal" rating. The NHTSA had not rated the 2021 model. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and rear parking sensors, with optional features like front parking sensors, parking assistance, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning.

The 2022 Acura TLX was rated a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with "Good" ratings in all crash tests and for headlight visibility. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall score, with four stars in the frontal passenger-side test. Standard safety features included knee airbags, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, auto high beams, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors were included in the Technology Package and higher trims.