2022 Kia Forte vs 2021 MINI Cooper

The 2021 MINI Cooper stood out with its iconic styling, featuring a rounded shape, compact dimensions, and a wide array of color choices. Customization options for the exterior and top, including graphics like the Union Jack flag, added to its unique appeal. The interior continued this distinctive design language with circular shapes and a funky infotainment touchscreen. However, the cabin was notably cramped, especially in the back seats, which were more suitable for packages than passengers.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Forte offered a more conventional but still attractive design. The Forte GT, in particular, featured sporty elements like red-accent detailing, a gloss black lip spoiler, and 18-inch wheels. Inside, the Forte GT's cabin had a sporty look with seat perforations, patterns, and polished metal accents. The interior was spacious, with a height-adjustable front passenger seat and a large trunk, making it a practical choice for both daily commutes and road trips.

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, 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. All models were 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 energetic, but its stiff ride could be tiresome on long drives. Fuel economy varied, with the most efficient model being the Convertible at 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2022 Kia Forte's mechanical components largely carried over from the previous year. Most trims had a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The Forte GT, however, featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, available with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The GT trim also had a sport-tuned suspension and larger 18-inch alloy wheels. While the Forte GT offered a fun driving experience, it wasn't as refined as some competitors, and its brakes struggled during demanding driving. Fuel economy for the GT was lower than expected, averaging 25.8 mpg in testing.

The 2021 MINI Cooper's interior was more suited for cargo than passengers, especially in the rear seats. The front seats were comfortable but lacked space, particularly for taller drivers. Storage was limited, with a small center console and door pockets. The Hatchback models offered decent cargo space with the back seats folded down, while the Convertible had a small cargo hold.

The 2022 Kia Forte GT, especially with the GT2 option package, provided a comfortable and feature-rich interior. The package included a power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power sunroof. The Forte's rear seat room was impressive for a compact car, and the trunk was the largest in its segment at 15.3 cubic feet. The rear seats also folded down to expand cargo capacity, making it a practical choice for families and road trips.

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 screen offering SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and more. Physical controls improved usability, but the lack of Android Auto was a drawback. The infotainment system, borrowed from BMW, included a physical iDrive controller, which was difficult to use due to the cramped space.

For 2022, the Kia Forte offered new Technology option packages for various trims. The FE and LXS trims had an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GT-Line and GT trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with more features but required a cable for smartphone connectivity. The Forte GT also had standard wireless smartphone charging and an available Harman Kardon sound system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the voice recognition capabilities were hit-and-miss.

The 2021 MINI Cooper missed out on a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS. It scored "Good" in crash tests but had mixed ratings for headlights and a "Marginal" rating for its LATCH system. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and rear parking sensors, with other features available as options.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered more standard safety features across all trims, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a driver monitoring system. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Warning. The Forte also offered advanced features like navigation-linked adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist. The IIHS gave the Forte high marks for crashworthiness, while the NHTSA rated it four stars overall, noting some concerns for rear passenger safety in side impacts.