2022 MINI Cooper vs 2021 Subaru Impreza

Subaru's 2021 Impreza presented a more conservative design compared to its predecessors, which had taken bold styling risks. The current generation, while not distinctly Subaru, was still considered handsome. Both the sedan and hatchback featured sleek headlights and taillights, enhancing their width appearance, and a nicely-tapered front end. The body sides had some scalloping for visual interest, and the previous generation's awkward wheel arch sheetmetal was toned down. The Impreza Sport models had specific styling touches, including 18-inch alloy wheels, while base models came with 16-inch steel wheels. Built on the Subaru Global Platform, shared with models like the Legacy, Outback, Forester, and Ascent, the Impreza benefited from the platform's engineering, resulting in overall refinement. The interior design was typical for compact cars, with a split dashboard housing the infotainment touchscreen and various plastic forms. The Impreza Sport featured contrast stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and aluminum pedals, while the Limited trim offered standard leather upholstery and LED headlights.

The 2022 MINI Cooper, on the other hand, continued to embrace its iconic design roots while adapting to modern needs. Over the years, the MINI had expanded its lineup to include a convertible, wagon, and crossover, alongside the original hatchback, all of which had grown in size for utility and safety. The 2022 models received refreshed styling, including restyled bumpers, a new grille, standard LED headlights, and Union Jack taillights. New wheel designs and paint colors like Island Blue, Rooftop Grey, and Zesty Yellow were added. The Piano Black Exterior treatment extended to door handles, fuel lid, and exhaust outlets. Inside, the MINI Convertible maintained its retro charm with modern technology, offering a wide range of customization options. The convertible top could be lowered in 18 seconds at speeds up to 18 mph, providing an open-air experience. However, the emphasis on design over function resulted in a cluttered interior, depending on the chosen specifications. The 2022 Convertible, equipped with the Cooper S specification and Sidewalk Edition package, was priced under $40,000, with a range between $27,900 and $38,900, plus options and destination charges.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza was powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, producing 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. This engine design allowed for a lower mounting in the chassis, contributing to a lower center of gravity. Most Impreza models came with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), while a five-speed manual was available for the base sedan and hatchback, as well as the Impreza Sport hatchback. The Sport model also featured specific suspension tuning and a torque vectoring system for the all-wheel-drive setup. While the Impreza was a pleasant daily driver, it lacked the engagement of competitors like the Honda Civic or Mazda 3. The Sport's suspension offered a good balance between ride quality and handling, but the steering was noncommunicative, and the engine's power was limited, preventing it from being a true driver's car.

The 2022 MINI Cooper offered a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with 134 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in over eight seconds. For more spirited performance, the Cooper S featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 189 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in under seven seconds. Both engines provided a choice between a six-speed manual and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive. The Cooper S test car, equipped with a manual transmission, delivered a fuel economy of 27.1 mpg, slightly better than the EPA's estimate of 26 mpg. The JCW models offered a tuned version of the Cooper S engine, producing 235 horsepower and 228 pound-feet of torque, with an eight-speed automatic transmission, achieving 0-60 mph in just over six seconds. Despite its sporty nature, the Cooper S was not a sports car, with maximum torque available at 1,350 rpm. The Sidewalk Edition provided a compliant ride, but the steering response and brake pedal feel were disappointing. The test car's tires struggled with curves, and the rearview mirror's location hindered visibility. The MINI Convertible's ride quality was firm and choppy on highways, with wind buffeting and noise at higher speeds. While the MINI Cooper retained some fun elements, it felt disconnected from the road compared to earlier models.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza offered reasonable legroom in both the hatchback and sedan, though headroom was slightly below average. The sedan's trunk space was limited to 12.3 cubic feet, but the hatchback provided 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place, surpassing competitors like the Mazda 3 and Toyota Corolla hatchbacks. With the rear seats folded, the Impreza offered 55.3 cubic feet of cargo space, more than the Honda Civic hatchback. Roof rails were standard on all hatch trims except the base model. Higher trim levels included an All-Weather Package with heated front seats, a heated windshield, and heated exterior mirrors. The Sport trim added keyless entry with pushbutton start, while the Limited trim featured a six-way power driver's seat and automatic climate control. A power moonroof was available as an option.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible prioritized form over function, with comfortable front seats but essentially unusable rear seats. The trunk offered just 5.2 cubic feet of space, accessible through a bottom-hinged lid similar to a pickup truck's tailgate. Cabin storage was limited, partly due to the design focus and the placement of the infotainment system's controls on the center console. While the MINI's limited space was expected, other models like the Hardtop 4 Door, Clubman, and Countryman offered more passenger and cargo room. However, they lacked the Convertible's folding roof.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity on the base and Premium trims, while higher trims received an 8-inch touchscreen. The top Limited trim offered an option package with TomTom-based navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. A secondary display above the main touchscreen provided additional information, though it seemed redundant with the gauge cluster's LCD display. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large icons and easy access to important functions, though it lacked advanced features for tech-savvy buyers.

The 2022 MINI Cooper introduced the MINI Connected infotainment system with a standard 8.8-inch touchscreen display, surrounded by a classic center dashboard décor ring with LED lighting in 12 colors. The LED ring and on-screen graphics changed based on vehicle settings. The system allowed drivers to swipe between widgets, offering access to Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa integration, SiriusXM satellite radio, and BMW-based connected services. Navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a Harman Kardon sound system were available. The system, based on BMW's iDrive technology, paired with a digital instrument cluster, which remained visible even in direct sunlight. A head-up display was also available, visible with polarized sunglasses. The optional Harman Kardon sound system provided impressive sound quality, overcoming ambient noise at highway speeds.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza received an IIHS "Top Safety Pick" award, with the highest "Good" score in all crash tests. It missed the "Top Safety Pick+" award due to "Marginal" standard headlights, though the Limited trim's headlights received a "Good" score. The NHTSA awarded the Impreza a five-star overall safety rating. Subaru's EyeSight safety tech was standard on CVT-equipped models, offering features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking were available as options.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible's increased size contributed to safety, though it lacked NHTSA and IIHS crash-test ratings. It featured newly standard Driving Assistant technology, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Adaptive cruise control was optional for automatic transmission models. However, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were not available, and a digital rearview mirror could improve visibility. The lane-departure warning system provided subtle steering wheel vibrations to alert drivers.