2021 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Honda Civic

The 2021 MINI Cooper stood out with its iconic styling, easily recognizable alongside vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler. Its rounded shape, compact dimensions, and a wide array of color choices made it a unique presence in the subcompact car market. Customization options for the exterior, including graphics for the roof and Union Jack taillights, added to its charm. Inside, the MINI Cooper continued its distinctive design language with circular shapes dominating the seats, dash, and center stack. The infotainment touchscreen, mounted inside a circular light ring, and circular air vents contributed to its quirky yet high-quality cabin. However, the interior space was limited, with the back seats more suitable for packages than passengers.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Civic adopted a more conservative and mature look, resembling the larger Accord sedan. The redesigned Civic aimed for simplicity and elegance, with a minimalistic approach to controls and layout. The interior featured a span of metal honeycomb mesh across the dashboard, hiding the air vents and adding a touch of sophistication. Improved materials, especially in the Touring trim, reflected a sense of maturity. The Civic's cabin offered better support with redesigned front seats, though the back seat's reclined angle might not suit everyone. Despite sitting low to the ground, the Civic provided ample legroom in the back, making entry and exit easier.

The 2021 MINI Cooper offered four powertrain options, each catering to different performance needs. The base model featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with 134 horsepower. The Cooper S upgraded to a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 189 hp, while the John Cooper Works (JCW) boasted a 228-hp turbo-four. The top-tier John Cooper Works GP delivered an impressive 301-hp turbo-four. All models came with front-wheel drive, with a six-speed manual standard for the Cooper and Cooper S, and an eight-speed automatic for the JCW GP. The MINI's small size made it feel spritely and energetic, though the turbocharged four-cylinder engines provided noticeably better performance at highway speeds. The JCW GP, in particular, offered exhilarating acceleration. However, the Cooper's stiff ride could become tiresome on long drives, and road imperfections felt more pronounced. Fuel economy varied, with the most efficient model being the Convertible at 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2022 Honda Civic, initially available with two engines, promised more performance with the upcoming Civic Si and Civic Type R. The base LX and Sport trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. The EX and Touring trims offered a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. Both engines paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), with different CVTs for each engine. The turbocharged engine provided a satisfying blend of performance and efficiency, with a broad torque range from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm. The Civic's improved structural rigidity, revised suspension tuning, and enhanced steering feel made it enjoyable to drive. The Sport and Touring trims included a Sport transmission mode for quicker responsiveness. Despite its capable handling, the Civic maintained a comfortable ride quality and reduced noise, vibration, and harshness. However, the Civic Touring's fuel economy fell short of the EPA estimate, returning 30.4 mpg on a 95-mile loop.

The 2021 MINI Cooper's interior continued its heritage with a focus on front-seat comfort. The front seats provided decent head and legroom for average adults, though taller drivers might struggle with knee placement due to the dash shape. The rear seat was more practical for cargo storage than for passengers. Interior storage was limited, with a small center console and door pockets. The Cooper Hatchback offered decent cargo space with the back seats folded down, while the Convertible had a small cargo hold under the folding top compartment.

The 2022 Honda Civic prioritized comfort with redesigned front seats offering better support. The Touring trim featured leather-lined, power-adjustable seats with heating but no ventilation. The front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster but provided excellent thigh support. The Civic's low seating position made entry and exit challenging for some, but the back seat offered more legroom than most competitors, easing access. The backrest angle might feel too reclined for some passengers. The Civic's new center console had less storage space but more accessible cupholders and fingerprint-resistant trim. Trunk volume remained generous at 14.8 cubic feet, or 14.4 cubes with the Touring trim, which had a smaller trunk due to the premium sound system components. The split-folding backseat added utility, and a small handle inside the lid helped with closing the trunk.

The 2021 MINI Cooper was not particularly generous with standard features. The base model came with a 6.5-inch screen, while an 8.8-inch unit with SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and more was available. Optional features included a Harman Kardon sound system, automatic climate controls, and LED headlights. MINI included more physical controls than some automakers, improving the technology experience. However, Android Auto was not available, leaving many users reliant on Bluetooth. The infotainment system used BMW's software, with a physical iDrive controller in the center console, though its placement made it difficult to use.

The 2022 Honda Civic impressed with its digital instrumentation and infotainment technology. The standard setup included a 7-inch touchscreen with volume and tuning knobs, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim upgraded to a 10-inch digital display and a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, HD radio, satellite radio, and a navigation system. The Touring trim also featured a 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint 2 premium surround-sound audio system, delivering a rich audio experience. The Civic's infotainment system performed well, with a helpful control layout and excellent voice recognition technology.

The 2021 MINI Cooper missed out on a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It scored top "Good" ratings in crash tests but received "Acceptable" or "Poor" ratings for headlights. The standard front crash prevention systems earned "Advanced" scores, and the LATCH system received a "Marginal" rating for ease of use. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not yet rated the 2021 MINI Cooper. 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 2022 Honda Civic's upgraded Honda Sensing collection of advanced driver assistance systems was impressive. Standard features included Traffic Jam Assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Lane Keeping Assist. The new wide-view front camera and eight ultrasonic sonar sensors improved the system's performance. The Civic replaced the old LaneWatch system with a proper blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic alert in the EX and Touring trims. The Civic's stronger vehicle architecture provided better protection in collisions, and new front airbag designs offered improved head protection. The Civic also included a standard rear-seat reminder system.