2022 Dodge Charger vs 2021 MINI Cooper

The 2021 MINI Cooper was known 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. Customization options were plentiful, including exterior and top choices, as well as roof graphics like the Union Jack flag. The MINI Cooper also featured 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 depending on the model. Inside, the MINI Cooper continued its unique design language with circular shapes dominating the seats, dash, and center stack. 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, with the back seats being more suitable for packages than passengers.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, on the other hand, had been running on essentially the same platform since 2005, shared with the Dodge Challenger coupe and Chrysler 300 sedan. The platform originated from an older Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The Charger underwent significant updates in 2011 and 2015, with the latter giving it a more modern and menacing look. While the exterior was updated, the cabin felt dated by modern standards, with thick bezels and chunky buttons. Despite this, the Charger’s cabin was user-friendly. The 2022 model offered various trims, including SXT, GT, R/T, R/T Scat Pack, Hellcat, Redeye, and Jailbreak, each with distinct features and performance upgrades.

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 engine producing 189 hp, while the John Cooper Works (JCW) had a 228-hp turbo-four. The John Cooper Works GP boasted a 301-hp turbo-four. All models were front-wheel drive (FWD). The Cooper and Cooper S came with a standard six-speed manual transmission, with a seven-speed automatic available. The JCW GP had an eight-speed automatic transmission. The MINI Cooper felt spritely and energetic due to its small size, with the turbocharged four-cylinder engines providing noticeable power, especially at highway speeds. The JCW GP model offered the best acceleration. However, all models had a somewhat stiff ride, making long drives tiresome. The Cooper was agile and fun to drive, but not particularly comfortable. EPA fuel economy varied, with the most efficient being the Convertible at 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2022 Dodge Charger offered a range of powerful engines. The SXT and GT models used a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in base form, and 300 hp and 264 lb-ft in the SXT AWD and GT trims. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 370 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque. The R/T Scat Pack had a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 making 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The Charger SRT Hellcat had a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8 with 717 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. The Hellcat Redeye and Jailbreak models had the same engine, with the Redeye producing 797 hp and 707 lb-ft of torque, and the Jailbreak pushing 807 hp. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive (RWD) standard and all-wheel drive (AWD) available on V6 models. The Hellcat variants delivered incredible acceleration, with the Hellcat and Redeye reaching 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 196 mph. The Widebody setup improved handling and traction, making the Charger a well-rounded performance machine.

The 2021 MINI Cooper’s interior continued its heritage with a rear seat more suitable for cargo than passengers. 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 door pockets. The Hatchback models offered decent cargo space with foldable back seats, while Convertible models had limited cargo space under the folding top compartment.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, despite being a large sedan, didn’t always feel spacious. The tall transmission tunnel and performance bucket seats created an intimate front-seat experience. Both rows offered plenty of legroom, but headroom was limited, especially in the rear seats. The Charger’s interior storage was less accommodating than newer cars, with a smaller center console bin and trays around the shifter. The trunk provided 16.5 cubic feet of space, but the small trunk lid and high rear bumper made loading large items challenging. However, the Charger’s sports-car performance with four doors and a usable trunk made it versatile.

The 2021 MINI Cooper wasn’t generous with standard features. The base screen was a 6.5-inch unit, with an optional 8.8-inch unit offering SiriusXM satellite radio, 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 2022 Dodge Charger came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect infotainment system, known for its ease of use. The system featured a dock area with large icons for major functions. An 8.4-inch version was optional on the base SXT and standard on other trims, offering the same layout with larger icons. Both screens included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While not the most advanced, the Charger’s technology blended well with conventional controls, providing a user-friendly experience.

The 2021 MINI Cooper missed out on 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 standard front crash prevention systems earned "Advanced" scores, 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. Optional features included front parking sensors, a parking assistance system, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning.

The 2022 Dodge Charger showed its age in safety features. Standard equipment included a backup camera and rear parking sensors, with the backup camera displaying a grainy image. Optional safety features included forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.