2022 Hyundai Sonata 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 segment. 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 various wheel and trim upgrades available 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.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Sonata had evolved significantly from its early years, where it mimicked the Honda Accord. By benchmarking the Accord, Hyundai improved the Sonata's quality and added more personality with each generation. The seventh-generation Sonata, redesigned for 2020, featured a wide grille, rounded front fascia, and a sloped rear roofline. The design was distinctive but subjective. Inside, the Sonata offered a functional and spacious cabin with seating for five. The Limited trim featured leather seats, though the tan upholstery color was not universally appealing. The Sonata N Line added sporty touches like a body kit, gloss black side mirrors, and N badging, transforming its look from mild to wild. The N Line's cabin had dark chrome trim and red stitching, with unique N-brand sport seats and a leather-wrapped sport steering wheel.

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 (FWD). The Cooper and Cooper S came with a six-speed manual as standard, with a seven-speed automatic available. The JCW GP had an eight-speed automatic transmission. The MINI felt spritely and energetic due to its small size, with the turbocharged four-cylinder engines providing noticeably stronger performance, especially at highway speeds. The JCW GP model offered the best acceleration. However, all Cooper models had a somewhat stiff ride, making long drives tiresome. The MINI Cooper's fuel economy varied, with the most efficient being the Convertible at 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata had a split personality in terms of performance. The base engine, a direct-injected 2.5-liter four-cylinder, produced 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. A turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 180 hp and 195 lb-ft was available on the SEL Plus and Limited trims. Both engines paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters standard on the 1.6-liter turbo. The Sonata N Line featured a 290-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT), sport suspension, and tuned exhaust. All Sonatas were FWD, with no AWD option. The Sonata offered a smooth ride and competent handling, with a quiet cabin. The N Line's performance was more aggressive, appealing to those seeking a sportier driving experience.

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 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. 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 Sonata offered 104.4 cubic feet of passenger space, making it one of the most spacious in the midsize sedan segment. The EPA classified it as a "Large Car." Front-seat headroom and legroom were top-notch, though shoulder room was average. Rear-seat space was adequate for two adults, but a third passenger might feel cramped. The Sonata's 16-cubic-foot trunk was spacious, holding a complete three-piece set of rolling luggage with room to spare. The Remote Smart Parking Assist, standard on the Limited trim, allowed the car to drive itself forward or backward with a button press on the key fob, making tight parking spots more manageable.

The 2021 MINI Cooper was not generous with standard features. The base screen was a 6.5-inch unit, with an 8.8-inch unit available that included 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. However, Android Auto was not available, leaving many users to rely on Bluetooth. The infotainment system used BMW's software, with a physical iDrive controller that was difficult to reach due to the tight space between the front seats.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata's infotainment technology varied with the trim level. The base SE had an 8-inch touchscreen, six speakers, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a USB port, a 12-volt outlet, and a rearview camera. The SEL added SiriusXM satellite radio and Blue Link connected services. The SEL Plus, Limited, and N Line trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, wireless device charging, and dynamic voice recognition. The SEL trim now included last year's Tech package features, such as the 10.25-inch nav system and Bose audio. Pairing an iPhone via Bluetooth was easy, and the Bose audio system provided excellent sound quality.

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 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 Hyundai Sonata came with a comprehensive safety package. Standard features included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, driver-attention warning, automatic high-beam headlights, a rearview monitor, and a Rear Occupant Alert system. The SEL trim added blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-centering assistance, and Safe Exit Assist. The Limited trim included a blind-spot view monitor, rear park assist, and a surround-view monitor. The NHTSA gave the 2022 Sonata five stars for overall crash protection. The IIHS had not rated the 2022 model, but the 2021 Sonata received top "Good" ratings in all crash tests and "Superior" ratings for front crash prevention.