2021 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Kia K5

The 2021 MINI Cooper was renowned 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. MINI offered numerous 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 circular shapes dominating the seats, dash, and center stack. The infotainment touchscreen was mounted inside a circular light ring, and the cabin, though high quality, lacked space, making the back seats more suitable for packages than passengers.

The 2022 Kia K5, available in LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT trims, featured a turbocharged engine across all models, with the LXS and GT-Line offering optional all-wheel drive. Prices ranged from $23,790 to $31,190, excluding destination charges. Our test car, a K5 EX with front-wheel drive, extra-cost paint, the EX Premium package, and floor mats, had an MSRP of $33,945. The K5's design was sleek and luxurious, resembling a sports sedan more than a family car. The Glacial White Pearl paint paired with Ash Blue synthetic leather and matte-finish fake wood trim created an upscale interior. The K5 exuded quality, with solid controls and refined components, making it feel like a bargain-priced yet well-constructed vehicle.

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, 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 energetic due to its small size, with the turbocharged four-cylinder engines providing more noticeable power, especially at highway speeds. The JCW GP offered the best acceleration, feeling like a rocket ship. However, all models had a stiff ride, making long drives tiresome. The most efficient model, the Convertible, delivered 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined, while the Cooper S Convertible returned 23/32/26 mpg.

The 2022 Kia K5 GT featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This made the GT the most powerful and least efficient K5, without all-wheel drive. The standard K5 had a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, offering linear power delivery with little low-end lag. Drive Mode Select allowed calibration of the powertrain, and Active Sound Control added personality to the car. During testing, the 1.6-liter turbo proved well-matched, providing enough power for merging and cornering, though passing power was limited. The K5 EX returned 29.1 mpg in combined driving, close to the EPA's 31 mpg estimate. The ride quality was affected by road noise and minor pavement imperfections, but wind noise was minimal. The K5's handling was decent but not as engaging as competitors like the Honda Accord.

The 2021 MINI Cooper's interior was more suited for cargo than passengers, with the rear seat best used for storage. 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 limited, with a small center console and door pockets. Hatchback models offered decent cargo space with foldable back seats, while Convertible models had minimal usable space.

The 2022 Kia K5 provided comfort with dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and rear air conditioning vents. The panoramic sunroof added natural light, and the power sunroof shade operated smoothly. Entry and exit were challenging due to the low-slung design, but the front seats were comfortable, and the SynTex synthetic leather was convincing. Rear passengers had ample space, though reclined front seats could be problematic. Controls were logically laid out, blending style with utility. Storage was generous, with a roomy center bin, smartphone charging slot, and hidden door panel trays. The K5's 16 cubic-foot trunk offered plenty of cargo space, expandable with the 60/40-split folding back seat. The Smart Trunk feature automatically released the trunk lid when standing behind the car with the key fob.

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, 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 and use due to the tight space.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered two infotainment systems. The standard system for LX and LXS trims included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GT-Line and higher trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen, losing the tuning knob and requiring a cable for smartphone integration. This system included satellite radio, Kia Connect services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, and Sounds of Nature ambient tracks. A wireless smartphone charger was standard on most trims, with the Premium package adding a 12-speaker Bose audio system and Active Sound Design. The Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system reminded drivers when traffic ahead started moving. The K5's infotainment graphics were purple, and voice recognition was poor, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable.

The 2021 MINI Cooper missed a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, scoring "Good" in crash tests but "Acceptable" or "Poor" for headlights. The front crash prevention system earned "Advanced" scores, and the LATCH system was rated "Marginal." 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, parking assistance, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning.

The 2022 Kia K5 excelled in safety with the Kia Drive Wise collection, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-following assist. Additional features included automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, rear-seat reminder, and Safe Exit Assist. The EX Premium package added cyclist detection, Junction Turning Assist, navigation-based adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, parking sensors, automatic rear braking, a surround-view system, and power rear child locks. The K5 achieved a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.