2021 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI

Few cars carried styling as iconic as the 2021 MINI Cooper. Its rounded shape, compact dimensions, and wide variety of available color choices set it apart in the subcompact car space. MINI offered several customization options for the exterior and top, including graphics for the roof like a Union Jack flag. Hidden Easter eggs, such as Union Jack taillights, added to its charm. 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 styling with circular design elements throughout the seats, dash, and center stack. The super-funky infotainment touchscreen, mounted inside a circular light ring, and circular air vents added to its distinctive look. While the cabin was generally high quality, it lacked space, making the back seats more suitable for packages than passengers.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, although claiming all-new body panels, retained a familiar look that might have been hard to distinguish from its predecessor for non-enthusiasts. The new GTI was longer and lower, with a wheelbase of 103.6 inches, contributing to a stable silhouette while maintaining nimbleness. The styling followed typical GTI form, with a smooth hood and a subtle honeycomb-patterned air intake below the VW emblem. The signature red accent line ran along the full length between the LED headlights, with an optional light bar adding drama to the front end. Extensive aerodynamic work included redesigned side-view mirrors, underbody paneling, and revised wheel-arch linings. Red brake calipers were standard, with wheel sizes varying by trim. The GTI was available in staple colors like silver, black, and white, with occasional fun colors like Atlantic Blue Metallic and Kings Red Metallic. The Autobahn trim offered Pomelo Yellow Metallic as a launch option. Inside, plaid cloth seats were standard on the S and SE trims, with Vienna leather available on the SE and standard on the Autobahn. The classic golf-ball shifter knob remained for manual transmission models, and all trims featured stainless steel pedals.

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, with a seven-speed automatic available. The John Cooper Works 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 stronger performance, especially at highway speeds. The JCW GP model offered the best acceleration, feeling like a proper rocket ship. 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 in most situations. EPA fuel economy varied, with the most efficient being the Convertible at 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined, while the Cooper S Convertible returned 23/32/26 mpg.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The engine reached peak horsepower at 5,000 rpm, with torque peaking at a low 1,750 rpm, making the GTI a joy to drive on curving roads. Power was sent to the front wheels via a standard six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (DSG) with paddle shifters. The GTI's fuel economy was estimated at 24 mpg city, 34 highway, and 28 combined with the manual transmission, slightly improving with the dual-clutch automatic. The Mk8 GTI benefited from a retuned suspension, with a lighter front assembly and stiffer rear springs. Various drive modes allowed for Eco, Comfort, or Sport settings, with a standard electronic torque-sensing limited-slip differential and electronic stability control (ESC) helping to decrease understeer. The GTI handled corners smoothly and accelerated through them with limited traction loss. The top-tier Autobahn trim featured the DCC adaptive damping system, capable of 200 adjustments per second, allowing for even more aggressive driving.

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, offering decent head and legroom for average adults, though taller drivers might have struggled with knee placement due to the dash shape. Interior storage was tight, with a small center console and limited door pockets. Cooper Hatchbacks offered decent cargo space, with back seats that folded down for more storage. Convertible models had a small cargo hold under the folding top compartment, with very little usable space in the back.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI balanced performance and practicality, with 19.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and a total of 34.5 cubic feet with the 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The GTI's center stack was angled toward the driver, featuring a "light and sight" panel for adjusting headlights and defogging settings. Rear legroom was surprisingly good, making the GTI comfortable for rear passengers. The GTI was capable of transporting a family of four regularly, assuming no need for large cargo space.

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 in the center console, though its placement made it difficult to use.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured a fully digital driver information display with customizable gauge displays and ambient lighting profiles. The driver information display spanned 10.25 inches, with an 8.25-inch touchscreen in the S trim and a 10-inch touchscreen with navigation in the SE and Autobahn trims. The system included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth connectivity. The SE and Autobahn trims featured a 9-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system. The touch-capacitive volume and climate controls below the touchscreen were less user-friendly. Volkswagen's Car-Net system offered various features, some at additional costs, including Remote Access, Safe and Secure, and Hotspot. Car-Net Plus Nav, Plus Speech, and Plus Online Radio were available at low annual fees.

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. Optional features included front parking sensors, a parking assistance system, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured Volkswagen's IQ.Drive, offering advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like Travel Assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear traffic alert. IQ.Drive was only available on automatic GTIs. Park Distance Control was standard on all trims, with the Autobahn trim offering Park Assist technology. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had crash-tested the 2022 GTI.