2022 BMW 3 Series vs 2021 MINI Cooper

Few cars carried styling as iconic as the 2021 MINI Cooper. Its rounded shape, compact dimensions, and a plethora of color choices set it apart in the subcompact car market. MINI offered several customization options for the exterior and the roof, including graphics like a Union Jack flag. This car boasted hidden Easter eggs, such as Union Jack taillights, and despite its small size, it was larger than the original Mini. Wheel and trim upgrades were available, adding further customization potential.

Inside, the MINI Cooper continued its unique design language with rounded shapes prevalent in seats, the dash, and the center stack. The vehicle's funky infotainment touchscreen was mounted inside a circular light ring, complementing the circular air vents. The high-quality cabin felt upscale though cramped, especially in the back seats which were better suited for packages rather than passengers. The front seats offered comfort and some room for adult passengers, but taller drivers struggled with knee space due to the dash's shape.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series lineup included the 330i, 330e, M340i, and M3, with prices ranging from $41,450 to $73,000. Each variant had a distinct powertrain, the base models like the 330i and 330e featuring a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The performance-oriented M340i came with a turbocharged six-cylinder engine and was laden with dynamic tuning for enhanced handling. The M340i sported Barbera Red special-order paint and a Cognac-color SensaTec leather upholstery, though it came at a steep price of $67,390 with options.

Externally, the M340i exhibited an M Performance exterior design treatment, including exclusive grille and bumper designs, Shadowline trim, and distinctive blue brake calipers. The optional Cooling and High-Performance Tire package included 19-inch wheels that enhanced the vehicle's stance. BMW’s use of high-quality materials continued inside with the Cognac-colored SensaTec upholstery, providing an upscale look. The cabin design stayed technical rather than luxurious, aligning with the car’s history and focus on driving enjoyment.

The 2021 MINI Cooper offered four powertrain options. The base model's turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine delivered 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. The John Cooper Works GP topped the range with a 301-hp turbo-four engine. All models had front-wheel drive, with the base and Cooper S offering a six-speed manual transmission, while the JCW GP came with an eight-speed automatic.

Despite the drivetrain, the MINI felt energetic and agile due to its small size. The four-cylinder engines provided stronger pulls, especially noticeable at highway speeds. The JCW GP stood out for its rocket-like acceleration. However, the Cooper's ride was stiff, making long drives less comfortable as road imperfections felt pronounced. The car's agility in cornering made it fun to drive, albeit at the cost of some ride comfort. Fuel economy varied, with the most efficient model, the Convertible, delivering 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series M340i boasted a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, achieving 24.9 mpg during evaluation despite aggressive driving, close to the EPA's 26 mpg combined rating. The engine produced 382 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission with Sport mode. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with an all-wheel-drive option available.

The M340i featured robust four-wheel ventilated-disc brakes, variable sport steering, and an M Sport suspension, with the test car having an Adaptive M Suspension for superior handling. BMW claimed a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds for the M340i, and the car indeed felt fast and capable on twisty roads. The transmission worked flawlessly, and the vehicle responded precisely to driver inputs, making it a joy to drive.

The 2021 MINI Cooper's interior continued the brand’s heritage, with the rear seat more apt for cargo than passengers. Front seats were reasonably comfortable for average-sized adults, though taller drivers faced knee space issues. The interior storage was limited, with the center console and door pockets offering minimal space. Cooper Hatchbacks provided decent cargo space, which expanded with the back seats folded down. Convertibles had smaller cargo holds due to the folding top compartment.

In contrast, the 2022 BMW 3 Series, while adhering to a traditional four-door sedan design, did not compromise on passenger comfort or practicality. The M340i featured power-adjustable front sport seats with ample support for varied driving conditions. The driving position was near perfect, with a thick-rimmed steering wheel enhancing grip. The rear seats offered sufficient legroom for tall passengers, though the seating position steered inboard. A three-zone automatic climate control system was standard, and the Premium package added a heated steering wheel and seats. However, ventilated front seats were not an option.

The 3 Series offered 17 cubic feet of trunk space, with a 40/20/40-split rear seat to further enhance cargo utility. Despite the sedan design, the practical interior layout ensured ample storage and comfortable passenger accommodation, albeit lacking the versatility of a potential sports wagon variant.

MINI's base offering for the 2021 Cooper included a 6.5-inch screen, with an upgrade to an 8.8-inch unit that added SiriusXM satellite radio and Apple CarPlay. Optional features included a Harman Kardon sound system, automatic climate controls, and LED headlights. MINI retained physical controls, enhancing usability while driving, though Android Auto was notably absent.

BMW made Live Cockpit Professional standard on all 2022 3 Series models, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While Live Cockpit Professional wasn’t as visually impressive as Audi’s Virtual Cockpit Plus, it was user-friendly thanks to BMW iDrive 7.0. The system could be operated via the center console knob, touchscreen, steering wheel controls, or voice recognition. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, alongside satellite radio and a 10-speaker HiFi sound system.

The Connected Package Pro included BMW Remote Services and the Intelligent Personal Assistant for conversational voice commands. The optional Premium package added a head-up display, though it was challenging to read with polarized sunglasses. The Driving Assistance Professional package included a surround-view camera system, parking sensors, and autonomous parking capability.

The 2021 MINI Cooper missed a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS due to "Acceptable" or "Poor" headlight ratings. It did score top "Good" ratings in crash tests, with the front crash prevention systems earning "Advanced" scores. However, the LATCH system received a "Marginal" rating for ease of use. NHTSA did not rate the 2021 model. Standard driver-assistance features were limited to forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and rear parking sensors, with other features available as options.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series bundled its standard safety tech package as Active Guard, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, city-speed automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Optional packages added features like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and semi-autonomous driving capabilities.

The 3 Series earned a Top Safety Pick from IIHS when equipped with optional adaptive LED headlights. It also received five-star ratings across the board from NHTSA, showcasing its robust safety credentials.