2022 MINI Cooper vs 2021 Nissan Maxima

The 2021 Nissan Maxima, as a flagship sedan, set a bold design tone for other Nissan models. Its distinctive styling elements, such as the “floating” roofline and “V-Motion” grille, were later adopted by smaller sedans like the Altima, Sentra, and Versa. The Maxima stood out with its steeply-angled front end and massive grille, resembling an Art Deco locomotive. The 40th Anniversary Edition featured a two-tone exterior, blacked-out trim, and red semi-aniline leather upholstery, giving it a sinister yet stylish appearance. The interior was dressed up with dark-red leather seats and white gauge faces, adding a touch of 1980s vibe.

In contrast, the 2022 MINI Cooper retained the brand's iconic design while modernizing its features. Over the years, the MINI grew in size, adding variants like the Convertible, Clubman, and Countryman. The 2022 model received refreshed bumpers, a new grille, standard LED headlights, and new paint colors. The interior featured a new steering wheel and an updated infotainment system with an 8.8-inch touchscreen. Despite the modern updates, the MINI Convertible's proportions remained awkward, and the new grille drew attention to its overbite. However, the car's retro charm and customizable options continued to appeal to enthusiasts.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive (FWD). While it wasn't a "four-door sports car," the Maxima offered a quick and enjoyable driving experience. The V6 engine sounded great, and the CVT was responsive, making it one of the better examples of this transmission type. The Maxima handled corners well but had limitations, such as a lack of steering feel and precision, and susceptibility to torque steer. Despite these drawbacks, it remained competitive, especially against the Toyota Avalon and Volkswagen Arteon, with only the Kia Stinger offering a more engaging rear-wheel-drive experience.

The 2022 MINI Cooper offered a range of engines, starting with a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine producing 134 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. The Cooper S variant featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 189 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in under seven seconds. The JCW models had a tuned version of the Cooper S engine, delivering 235 horsepower and 228 pound-feet of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in just over six seconds. The MINI Convertible offered a choice between a six-speed manual and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive. While the Cooper S provided a fun driving experience, it wasn't a true sports car. The steering response and brake pedal feel were disappointing, and the tires struggled with aggressive cornering. The ride quality varied, with a firm, choppy feel on highways and a compliant ride on back roads.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima prioritized front-seat comfort, offering generous headroom and legroom for the driver and front passenger. However, this came at the expense of rear-seat passengers, who experienced cramped conditions with limited headroom and legroom. The seats were positioned far inboard, creating a feeling of closeness to the center console. Despite this, the Maxima's "Zero Gravity" front seats, designed using NASA research, provided excellent support and comfort. The Maxima's trunk offered 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space, the smallest in its class, with competitors like the Kia Stinger and Volkswagen Arteon offering more versatile hatchback designs.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible focused on 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. Interior storage space was limited, with the infotainment system's controls taking up valuable real estate on the center console. While the MINI Convertible's small size was expected, those needing more passenger and cargo space could opt for other MINI models like the Hardtop 4 Door, Clubman, or Countryman.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima's technology showed its age, with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility. A built-in WiFi hotspot and both USB-A and USB-C ports were standard. The 11-speaker Bose audio system was available. However, the infotainment system's graphics looked dated, and small icons made navigation difficult. The notification sounds were also confusing, resembling emergency warnings. Despite these issues, the Maxima had plenty of analog controls, including shortcut buttons and knobs for climate control and audio.

The 2022 MINI Cooper introduced a new MINI Connected infotainment system with a standard 8.8-inch touchscreen display. The system featured LED lighting with 12 colors, changing based on vehicle settings. It 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 digital instrument cluster. A head-up display was also available, visible even with polarized sunglasses. The Harman Kardon sound system provided impressive sound quality, overcoming ambient noise even at highway speeds.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima received top safety ratings, earning an IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and rear automatic emergency braking. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, a driver-alertness monitor, and a 360-degree camera system. However, the Maxima did not include the ProPilot Assist system available in other Nissan models.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible benefited from its increased size, offering better protection in collisions. However, it lacked crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Adaptive cruise control was available for automatic transmission models, bringing the car to a full stop. However, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were not available, and the rearview mirror's location posed visibility challenges. The lane-departure warning system provided subtle steering wheel vibrations, effectively notifying the driver.