2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2021 MINI Cooper

The 2021 MINI Cooper carried an iconic styling that was immediately recognizable, much like the Jeep Wrangler. Its rounded shape, compact dimensions, and a wide variety of color choices set it apart in the subcompact car market. MINI offered several customization options for the exterior, including graphics for the roof and hidden Easter eggs like 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 plenty of circles and rounded shapes, including a funky infotainment touchscreen design. The cabin was generally high quality but lacked space, making the back seats more suitable for packages than passengers.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra underwent a significant transformation with its 2021 redesign, featuring a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, resulting in a dramatic four-door-coupe silhouette. The Elantra's exterior styling had its own unique personality, with various creases and folds on the doors creating a "Z" shape. Inside, the Elantra's material quality, look, and feel were slightly above the norm for the compact car class, despite some hard plastics. The 2022 Elantra was available in four trim levels: SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited, with the Elantra Hybrid offered in Blue and Limited trims. The N Line trim added sporty styling elements and interior features like sport seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and aluminum pedals.

The 2021 MINI Cooper offered four powertrain options. The base model had a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with 134 horsepower. The Cooper S featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 189 hp, 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 felt spritely and energetic, especially with the turbocharged four-cylinder engines, though it had a somewhat stiff ride. Fuel economy varied, with the most efficient being the Convertible at 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered multiple powertrain options. The SE, SEL, and Limited trims came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. The Elantra Hybrid featured a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, a 32-kilowatt electric motor, and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, delivering 139 hp and up to 195 lb-ft of torque. The N Line trim had a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, available with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DCT. The N Line's sport-tuned suspension, steering, and larger front brake rotors enhanced its driving dynamics, though the sport seats could be uncomfortable on long drives.

The 2021 MINI Cooper's interior was more suited for cargo storage than passengers, especially in the rear seat. The front seats were comfortable with decent head and legroom, though taller drivers might struggle with knee placement due to the dash shape. Interior storage was tight, with limited space in the center console and door pockets. The Cooper Hatchbacks offered decent cargo space with foldable back seats, while Convertible models had a small cargo hold under the folding top compartment.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra was easy to live with, offering plenty of storage options and comfortable seats. The N Line's low seating position made entry and exit a bit challenging, but once inside, the Elantra provided excellent visibility. The rear seat could accommodate three children comfortably, though taller adults would prefer the front seats due to limited headroom. The Elantra's trunk offered 14.2 cubic feet of cargo space, though the sloping roofline created a narrow trunk opening. The power tilt-and-slide moonroof produced a droning noise when fully open, and the lack of USB ports and air conditioning vents in the rear were minor inconveniences.

The 2021 MINI Cooper was not generous with standard features. The base screen was a 6.5-inch unit, with an optional 8.8-inch unit offering SiriusXM satellite radio and Apple CarPlay. 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. The infotainment system used BMW's iDrive software, with a physical controller that was difficult to reach due to the tight space.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra came with a surprising level of technology for its price. The base SE had an 8-inch display audio touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and dual USB ports. Higher trims added more speakers, satellite radio, and Blue Link connected services. The Limited trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Hyundai Digital Key was standard on the N Line and Limited trims, allowing keyless operation via an Android-compatible smartphone. The infotainment system was easy to pair with smartphones, though the six-speaker audio system was only adequate.

The 2021 MINI Cooper missed out on a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, scoring top "Good" ratings in crash tests but "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 MINI Cooper. Standard driver-assistance features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and rear parking sensors, with optional features like front parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a comprehensive SmartSense suite of driver-assist tech, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assistance, and more. Additional features like adaptive cruise control and Highway Drive Assist were available on higher trims. The Elantra received five stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS in all crash tests. The lower-level trims received a "Marginal" rating for headlights, while the Limited trim with LED headlights received a "Good" rating.