2022 MINI Cooper vs 2021 Nissan Altima

The 2021 Nissan Altima showcased a strong family identity with its bold V-Motion grille, available in chrome or dark chrome, tastefully adorned with the Nissan logo. Its overall shape was attractive, featuring a sloping “coupe-like” roofline that gave it a sleek, aerodynamic profile. The body had more folds than curves, lending a taut, trim essence. Despite a mildly ungainly stance due to the overhangs ahead of the front wheels and behind the rear wheels, modern features like standard LED lighting and wheels ranging from 16-inch steel to 19-inch alloy kept the look contemporary. The fit and finish were exceptional, with deep lustrous paint and rich chrome details available in nine exterior colors, some with premium pricing.

Inside, the Altima's dashboard was uncluttered and intelligently laid out, with a standard 8-inch touchscreen display positioned for safety and convenience. The instrument panel was shrouded by a cowl to reduce glare. While the base model felt stripped-down, higher trims offered improved interior materials, adding stitching to the dash and seats for a better hand feel. The Altima was a clear example of getting what you pay for, with higher trims offering more luxurious features.

The 2022 MINI Cooper, refreshed for the model year, retained its iconic design while incorporating modern updates. The new grille, standard LED headlights, and Union Jack taillights added to its charm. Fresh wheel designs and new paint colors like Island Blue, Rooftop Grey, and Zesty Yellow were available, along with the Piano Black Exterior treatment for added flair. The MINI Convertible's styling, however, did not resolve the awkward proportions of the third-generation design, and the new grille might have accentuated the car’s jutting overbite.

Inside, the MINI Convertible maintained its retro feel with modern technology overlays. The wide range of colors, materials, and options allowed for personalization. The top could be dropped in about 18 seconds at speeds up to 18 mph, offering an open-to-the-elements feel. However, the emphasis on design over function resulted in a cluttered interior. The Sidewalk Edition, priced under $40,000, offered a relatively tame experience with the Cooper S specification and exclusive Deep Laguna Metallic paint. Pricing for all Convertibles ranged from $27,900 to $38,900, with the John Cooper Works model topping $46,000.

The 2021 Nissan Altima offered two distinct powertrains. Most configurations featured a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with Nissan’s Xtronic CVT. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all but the base S trim. Fuel economy for the FWD model was 28 mpg city/39 mpg highway/32 mpg combined, while the AWD model achieved 25 mpg city/35 mpg highway/29 mpg combined.

The standout was the VC-Turbo engine, available only in the Altima SR VC-Turbo trim. This turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produced 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, offering a much livelier performance. It was available only with FWD and had a fuel economy rating of 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway/29 mpg combined. The Altima's suspension, featuring McPherson struts in front and a multi-link rear, provided a decent driving experience, with the VC-Turbo’s sport-tuned suspension adding a bit more engagement.

The 2022 MINI Cooper came with a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine producing 134 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque, taking over eight seconds to reach 60 mph. The Cooper S model offered a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 189 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque, achieving 60 mph in under seven seconds. Both engines were available with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and the MINI Convertible was FWD.

The JCW models featured a tuned version of the Cooper S engine, delivering 235 hp and 228 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, reaching 60 mph in just over six seconds. The Cooper S test car, equipped with a manual transmission, offered a fun driving experience with plenty of torque. Fuel economy was rated at 26 mpg combined, with our test achieving 27.1 mpg. The MINI Convertible’s handling was less impressive, with a sticky off-center steering response and gooey brake pedal feel, reducing driving satisfaction.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured Nissan’s Zero Gravity front seats, which were comfortable and supportive even on long drives. Upper trims offered power adjustment, position memory, leather appointments, and electric heating. The front cabin had ample storage, including a big glovebox, center console storage bin, cupholders, and door pockets. The second row was roomy enough for two adults or three for short rides, with a 60/40 split-folding design for trunk access. The trunk offered 15.4 cubic feet of space.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible prioritized form over function, with comfortable front seats but essentially useless rear seats. The trunk measured just 5.2 cubic feet, accessible through a bottom-hinged lid. Cabin storage was limited, with the infotainment system’s physical controls consuming precious space. For those needing more passenger and cargo space, other MINI models like the Hardtop 4 Door, Clubman, and Countryman were better options.

The 2021 Nissan Altima came well-equipped with standard tech features, including Nissan Intelligent Key with pushbutton start, remote engine start, Bluetooth, cruise control, HomeLink, rear-view camera, Siri Eyes Free, Google Assistant Voice Recognition, and streaming audio/hands-free phone with Bluetooth. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard on all but the S model. The base touchscreen was 7 inches, with an 8-inch NissanConnect touchscreen on higher trims. A Bose audio system was standard on the SL and Platinum trims, and Active Noise Cancellation was included with the VC-Turbo engine.

The 2022 MINI Cooper introduced a new MINI Connected infotainment system with a standard 8.8-inch touchscreen display, featuring LED lighting with 12 colors. The system offered Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa integration, SiriusXM satellite radio, and BMW-based connected services. Navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a Harman Kardon premium sound system were available. The system was based on BMW’s iDrive technology and paired with a newly standard digital instrument cluster. A head-up display was also available, and the optional Harman Kardon sound system provided impressive sound quality.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, standard on every Altima SV and above. This included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning, and high-beam assist. ProPilot Assist was available for highway driving assistance, and an Intelligent Around View Monitor was available on upper trims. The Altima received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick + rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible benefited from its increased size for better occupant protection. However, it lacked crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS. The MINI Convertible came with newly standard Driving Assistant technology, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Adaptive cruise control was optional, but blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were not available.