2021 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Toyota Camry

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 space. 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 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 Toyota Camry TRD turned heads with its eye-catching Cavalry Blue paint, exclusive to the performance-tuned TRD model. This paint color was one of the few changes for the 2022 model year, along with standard heated side mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a new paint hue called Ice Edge. The SE Hybrid trim level also introduced a Nightshade Edition package that blacked out the car’s exterior trim and wheels. With 13 different versions to choose from, the Camry offered a range of pricing from just over $26,000 for the base LE to just under $37,000 for the sporty XSE. Engine options included a four-cylinder, a V6, and a gas-electric hybrid powertrain. The TRD model featured an aerodynamic body kit, matte-black 19-inch wheels, red brake calipers, and a gloss black grille, making it unmistakable from other Camry versions. The interior had an unusual dashboard layout and driver-oriented center console design, but the red gauge illumination and other red accents were considered tacky.

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 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 in most situations. EPA fuel economy varied, with the most efficient being the Convertible at 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2022 Toyota Camry TRD featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 301 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. It had a Sport transmission mode, paddle shifters, and a Sport driving mode that adjusted throttle response and steering effort. The EPA rated its fuel economy at 25 mpg in combined driving, and during testing, it averaged 24.8 mpg. The Camry TRD had "track-tuned" driving dynamics, with increased torsional rigidity, reworked suspension, bigger brakes, and a sport dual exhaust system. It rode on 19-inch matte-black alloy wheels with 235/40 summer performance tires. The V6 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission provided excellent performance, with quick acceleration and a pleasing exhaust note. However, the lack of all-wheel drive made it easy to break the front wheels loose. The car felt solid and planted, with communicative suspension and excellent brake pedal feel. The Camry TRD was fun to drive on winding roads, though it could push a little in tight corners.

The 2021 MINI Cooper's interior continued its commitment to heritage, with the rear seat more suitable for cargo storage than passengers. The front seats were comfortable with decent head and legroom for average adults, 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 Hatchback models offered decent cargo space with foldable back seats, while Convertible models had a small cargo hold under the folding top compartment.

The 2022 Toyota Camry TRD's front seats had red accent stripes, stitching, and embroidered TRD logos but no added bolstering compared to the Camry SE. The low-slung, sporty driving position, fabric seat inserts, and tall center console provided comfort and stability. The back seat could accommodate two adults comfortably, though it lacked rear-seat air vents. The TRD model had a fixed rear seatback, reducing cargo flexibility. The trunk offered 15.1 cubic feet of space, smaller than some competitors. However, the Camry made up for this with generous in-cabin storage, including a large bin under the center armrest and good stash space around the 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 that included 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 than some automakers, 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 in the center console, though it could be difficult to reach and use due to the tight space.

The 2022 Toyota Camry TRD came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio. It also offered Safety Connect and WiFi Connect subscription services. An optional 9-inch touchscreen display added Remote Connect, Service Connect, and a 9-speaker JBL premium audio system. The JBL system was bass-heavy but decent for the price. Toyota did not offer dynamic connected navigation and voice recognition in the TRD, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provided alternative solutions. Other Camry models offered a 10-inch head-up display and a 360-degree surround-view monitoring system, but these were not available on the TRD.

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 for ease of use. The NHTSA had not 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.

Every 2022 Camry had Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, a comprehensive package of driver assist and collision avoidance features. Highlights included adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance, which provided semi-autonomous driving assistance on highways. A blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert was standard on the TRD and optional on other trims. The lane-departure warning system could issue false warnings, and the lane-centering assistance could be overly insistent. The adaptive cruise control system sometimes reduced speed unnecessarily in curves. Safety Connect was standard, offering automatic collision notification, emergency assistance, roadside assistance, and a stolen vehicle locator. The Camry received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings in all NHTSA evaluations.