2022 Subaru WRX 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 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 mounted inside a circular light ring. The cabin was generally high quality but lacked space, making the back seats more suitable for packages than passengers.

The 2022 Subaru WRX, in contrast, had a more subtle front end despite being two inches wider than its predecessor. The front fascia featured a small hexagonal grille and sharp LED headlights. Along the side, the WRX showed significant changes with less busy profiles and black plastic cladding designed to improve airflow and aerodynamics. The rear fenders flared outward dramatically, and the taillights had a multifaceted design. The new WRX looked smoother and more streamlined, although the body cladding could be distracting. Inside, the WRX saw significant improvements with better fit and finish, a D-shaped steering wheel, aluminum-alloy pedal covers, and carbon-fiber-pattern trim accents. The seats were supportive and well-upholstered, making the WRX a more modern and comfortable vehicle.

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 standard six-speed manual transmission, with a seven-speed automatic available as an option. 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 better performance 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 car felt agile and ready to change direction quickly, making it fun to drive. EPA fuel economy varied, with the most efficient model being the Convertible at 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2022 Subaru WRX featured a new 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, replacing the previous 2.0-liter turbo. This engine produced 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The WRX came standard with all-wheel drive (AWD) and offered a choice between a six-speed manual transmission and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The CVT was programmed with eight shift points and provided faster upshifts and downshifts than the previous generation. The new GT trim featured Recaro seats, electronically controlled dampers, and a Drive Mode Select system. The manual transmission was precise and easy to handle, with a satisfying clutch pedal. The new WRX's suspension, mounted on the Subaru Global Platform, offered a more forgiving ride quality, reducing body roll in corners and handling broken pavement well. The WRX's performance was impressive, although some drivers wished for more power.

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, but 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 Subaru WRX excelled in practicality with a cargo capacity increase from 12 to 12.5 cubic feet, expandable with the rear seat's 60/40 split-fold function. The sport seats were comfortable and supportive, with premium cloth materials in the base and Premium trims and Ultrasuede in the Limited and GT trims. The seats provided ample bolstering without feeling tight. The WRX's standard AWD added to its practicality, making it a viable commuter vehicle.

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, Apple CarPlay, and more. 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 that was difficult to reach due to the tight space.

The 2022 Subaru WRX saw significant technological improvements. Premium-trim or higher models featured an 11.6-inch tablet-style touchscreen display, similar to newer Outback or Legacy models. The system had physical controls for climate, power, volume, tuning, and defrost functions. Apple CarPlay displayed across nearly the whole screen, while Android Auto showed up on only the top half. The base trim had two 7-inch displays stacked on top of each other. An 11-speaker Harmon Kardon stereo system was available on higher trims.

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 earned a "Marginal" rating. The NHTSA had not yet rated the 2021 model. 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 Subaru WRX's safety depended on the transmission. CVT-equipped models came with Subaru's EyeSight suite, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-tracing assist. EyeSight also added an electronic brake booster and automatic steering assist. Manual WRX models did not have EyeSight due to the risk of stalling during panic stops. Blind-spot monitoring with lane-change assist and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on the Limited and GT trims. The Subaru Global Platform improved crash energy absorption, and the car came with seven airbags, including a driver’s-side knee airbag.