2021 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Nissan Altima

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 mounted inside a circular light ring. The cabin was generally high quality but lacked space, with the back seats best used for packages rather than passengers.

The 2022 Nissan Altima, available in five trim levels—S, SV, SR, SL, and Platinum—featured Nissan's hallmark V-Motion grille and a low, wide stance with tall doors and creased body lines. The sharply sloped "floating" roofline was a distinctive design element, though some found it unnecessary. The Midnight Edition package on the SR trim added a gloss black sport grille, LED fog lights, 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, a moonroof, and other blacked-out elements, enhancing the Altima's sporty look. Inside, the Altima boasted comfortable Zero Gravity front seats, a well-laid-out instrument panel, and high-quality materials, especially in higher trims. However, lower trims did not offer the same level of refinement.

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 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 most efficient MINI Cooper was the Convertible, delivering 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2022 Nissan Altima came with two four-cylinder engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter unit producing 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.0-liter variable-compression turbo (VC-Turbo) making 248 hp and 273 lb-ft. The base engine was available with either FWD or AWD, while the VC-Turbo was only available on the SR trim with FWD. All Altimas featured Nissan's Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT). The VC-Turbo engine could change its compression ratio for high performance or high efficiency. The base 2.5-liter engine provided mediocre acceleration, but the Altima's suspension offered a smooth, composed ride. The cabin was quiet, with bumps and vibrations muted. The VC-Turbo engine, though more powerful, was not available with AWD.

The 2021 MINI Cooper's interior continued its heritage with a rear seat more suitable for cargo storage than passengers. 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 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 Nissan Altima provided comfortable seating for four, with easy-to-use controls and an accessible back seat. Its trunk, at 15.4 cubic feet, was smaller than some competitors but larger than others. The Altima's dimensions placed it in the middle of the midsize sedan category. However, the high rear shelf compromised rear visibility, and the trunk's metal bar supports could crush items when closing the lid. Despite these minor complaints, the Altima was a competent family hauler and commuter car.

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. However, Android Auto was not available, leaving many users reliant on Bluetooth. The infotainment system used BMW's software with a physical iDrive controller, though the tight space made it difficult to use.

The 2022 Nissan Altima's entry-level S trim came with a 5-inch multi-function display and a 7-inch color touchscreen with Bluetooth, voice recognition, and a single USB port. Higher trims featured a 7-inch advanced drive-assist display and an 8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The SL trim and above included a nine-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, and remote engine start. The advanced drive-assist display allowed for convenient handling of text messages, audio streaming, and navigation. The SR VC-Turbo trim offered active noise cancellation, and other available technologies included traffic sign recognition and an Around View Monitor. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, assisted with acceleration, steering, and braking.

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, with other features available as options.

The 2022 Nissan Altima came with a high level of standard driver-assist technology. Standard features included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning. Starting with the SV trim, the Altima included Safety Shield 360, adding rear automatic braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. The NHTSA awarded the FWD Altima five stars for overall crash protection. The IIHS gave the Altima a "Top Safety Pick+" designation, with "Good" ratings in all crash tests and "Superior" ratings for front crash prevention.