2022 MINI Cooper vs 2021 Toyota Prius

The 2021 Toyota Prius retained its iconic boomerang-shaped hood and roofline, a design choice that had been part of its identity for over 15 years. Despite advancements in aerodynamic vehicle design, the Prius continued to sport this look, which many found unappealing. The interior was equally unconventional, featuring a strip of displays mounted in the center of the dashboard, a toggle lever for transmission controls, and a narrow center console. Gloss-black trim attracted dust and fingerprints, adding to the car's quirky aesthetic. The Prius was available in multiple trims, including L Eco, LE, XLE, 2020 Edition, and Limited, with an optional AWD system for the LE and XLE trims. Prices ranged from $24,525 to $32,650, excluding destination charges.

In contrast, the 2022 MINI Cooper adhered to its classic design roots while incorporating modern updates. The MINI had grown over the years, adding various body styles like the Hardtop, Convertible, Clubman, and Countryman. For 2022, the MINI received refreshed bumpers, a new grille, standard LED headlights, and updated wheel designs. The interior featured a new steering wheel and an upgraded infotainment system with an 8.8-inch touchscreen. Despite its charming design, the MINI Convertible's proportions remained awkward, and the new grille drew attention to its overbite. The car's retro-modern interior allowed for extensive customization, but it prioritized form over function, resulting in a cluttered appearance. Prices for the Convertible ranged from $27,900 to $38,900, with the test car priced under $40,000, including destination charges.

The 2021 Toyota Prius focused on fuel efficiency, with the L Eco version achieving 56 mpg in combined driving, according to the EPA. Other front-drive models earned 52 mpg, while AWD-e versions managed 49 mpg. The Prius 2020 Edition averaged 47.5 mpg during testing. It featured a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a 53-kilowatt electric motor, producing a total of 121 horsepower. The Prius offered various driving modes, including EV Mode for electric-only driving at speeds under 25 mph. The TNGA platform provided a lower center of gravity, enhancing the car's handling on curvy roads. However, hard acceleration resulted in powertrain noise, and the steering lacked road feel.

The 2022 MINI Cooper offered a more spirited driving experience. The base model featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with 134 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, taking over eight seconds to reach 60 mph. The Cooper S variant had a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 189 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, achieving 60 mph in under seven seconds. The JCW models offered even more power with 235 horsepower and 228 pound-feet of torque. The MINI Convertible was front-wheel drive, with a choice between a six-speed manual and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The test car averaged 27.1 mpg, slightly better than the EPA's estimate of 26 mpg. Despite its sporty nature, the MINI's steering and brake feel were disappointing, and the tires struggled on curvy roads.

The 2021 Toyota Prius offered more interior space than expected, accommodating up to five people. The seats were comfortable, though the SofTex synthetic leather could be sticky. The test vehicle featured an eight-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seats provided adequate space for adults but lacked air-conditioning vents. Cargo space varied by trim, ranging from 24.6 to 27.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 50.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible prioritized form over function, with comfortable front seats but nearly unusable rear seats. The trunk offered just 5.2 cubic feet of space, accessible through a bottom-hinged lid. Interior storage was limited, and the infotainment controls on the center console consumed valuable space. While the MINI's small size was expected, those needing more room could opt for other MINI models like the Hardtop 4 Door, Clubman, or Countryman.

The 2021 Toyota Prius featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with stereo-volume and tuning knobs, and shortcut buttons. Standard equipment included Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The Limited trim offered a 10-speaker JBL premium sound system, navigation, and a natural voice recognition system, paired with an 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen. However, the sound quality was poor, and the digital instrumentation displayed dated graphics.

The 2022 MINI Cooper introduced a new MINI Connected infotainment system with an 8.8-inch touchscreen, LED lighting, and customizable widgets. It supported Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, 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, and the Harman Kardon sound system impressed with its quality.

The 2021 Toyota Prius came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and road-sign recognition. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Safety Connect services were also standard, offering automatic collision notification, emergency assistance, roadside assistance, and a stolen vehicle locator. The IIHS gave the Prius favorable marks, but it lacked a Top Safety Pick rating due to headlight and front-passenger protection issues.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible benefited from its increased size, offering better protection in collisions. However, it lacked crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS. The MINI Convertible came with 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. The car lacked blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, which were significant omissions given its visibility challenges.