2021 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid

The 2021 MINI Cooper stood out with its iconic styling, characterized by its rounded shape, compact dimensions, and a wide array of color choices. Customization options were plentiful, including exterior and top graphics like the Union Jack flag, and hidden Easter eggs such as Union Jack taillights. Despite its small size, the MINI Cooper was larger than the original Mini, offering various wheel and trim upgrades. 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 Toyota Camry Hybrid, while mostly a carryover from the previous year, impressed with its futuristic and expressive exterior design. The front end featured a sneering face and muscular features, with wheel options ranging from 16-inch steel to 19-inch alloy. Inside, the Camry Hybrid's dashboard had a sweeping curve, a big infotainment touchscreen, and a well-organized center console. The second row was roomy and comfortable, even for the middle seat. Toyota's high level of fit and finish was evident throughout, with quality materials and smooth, glossy paint and trim.

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, especially with the turbocharged four-cylinder engines, though the ride was somewhat stiff and could become 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 Toyota Camry Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with variable valve timing, direct injection, and port injection, paired with two electric motors for a total system output of 208 horsepower. An electronically controlled CVT sent power to the front wheels, with paddle shifters available on SE and XSE models. The Camry Hybrid achieved impressive fuel economy, with the LE model rated at 51 mpg city/53 mpg highway/52 mpg combined, and other trims at 44 mpg city/47 mpg highway/46 mpg combined. Handling was good, possibly better than the gasoline-only Camry, thanks to the low-mounted lithium-ion battery pack. However, keeping the car in EV mode was challenging, and there was occasional droning from the drivetrain.

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, though 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 Hatchback models offered decent cargo space with the back seats folded down, while the Convertible had a small cargo hold under the folding top compartment.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid excelled in ride height, seating position, and ease of use. The driving position was comfortable and adjustable, with ample headroom for various settings. The front cabin had plenty of storage options, including a spacious glove compartment and multiple nooks and crannies. The second row was easy to access and roomy, with generous bottle holders and map pockets. The Camry Hybrid's trunk offered 15.1 cubic feet of space, with a passthrough for long items and foldable second-row seats for more oversized cargo. Toyota's warranty coverage was comprehensive, including a 10-year/100,000-mile hybrid battery warranty.

The 2021 MINI Cooper was not the most 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, but did not offer Android Auto. The infotainment system used BMW's software, with a physical iDrive controller that was difficult to reach due to the tight space.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid was loaded with advanced technology features. The premium JBL audio system, available on XLE and XSE models, included nine speakers and sophisticated algorithms for high-quality sound. Embedded navigation was also available on these trims, while Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot were standard on all models. The LE, SE, and SE Nightshade had a 7-inch touchscreen, while the XLE and XSE had a 9-inch touchscreen. All trims came with Toyota's smart key system, push-button start, and a projected-path feature for the rearview camera. Upper trims offered a 10-inch color head-up display and other luxury features.

The 2021 MINI Cooper missed out on a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, scoring top "Good" ratings in crash tests but "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 model. Standard driver-assistance features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and rear parking sensors, with optional features like front parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ as standard, including a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, Lane Tracing Assist, automatic high beams, and traffic-sign recognition. The Star safety system included stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. The Camry Hybrid had 10 airbags, three-point seatbelts for all seating positions, and LATCH lower anchors for child safety seats. A blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert was available on lower trims and standard on upper trims. The 2021 model received the highest Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model was expected to receive the same. The NHTSA gave the 2022 Camry Hybrid a five-star overall safety rating.