2022 BMW i4 vs 2023 MINI Cooper

The 2022 BMW i4 was a blend of traditional and modern design elements, closely resembling the gasoline-powered 4 Series Gran Coupe. Its oversized grille was a point of contention, and the term "Gran Coupe" was somewhat misleading, as it described a four-door sedan with a rear hatch. Despite these quirks, the i4 boasted improved aerodynamics over its gasoline counterpart, with a drag coefficient of 0.24 for the base model and 0.25 for the M50. BMW achieved this through various design tweaks, including a smooth underbody and an active grille flap. The interior balanced minimalism with classic BMW styling, featuring a freestanding screen and familiar controls. Material quality was high, though leather upholstery was not standard.

The 2023 MINI Cooper, available as a two-door hatchback, four-door hatch, or convertible, retained its unique charm. Larger than its predecessors due to safety regulations, it still maintained a compact size, shorter than a Mazda Miata. The Cooper's design was playful and authentic, with options for vibrant colors and patterns. The JCW model, with its gradient paint effect and sporty features, resembled a life-size windup toy. Inside, the Cooper offered Chesterfield leather seats and a distinctive dashboard design. The interior was abstract yet high-quality, with a manual gear shifter and clutch pedal for an engaging driving experience. The Cooper's playful design extended to its convertible model, which featured innovative roof rails and a tailgate for easy access.

The 2022 BMW i4 offered impressive performance with its electric powertrains. The base i4 eDrive40 produced 335 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds. The M50 model, with its two-motor setup, delivered 536 hp and 586 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. Despite its weight, the i4 handled well, thanks to its low center of gravity and advanced suspension systems. The Dynamic Handling Package further enhanced the driving experience, providing a smooth ride and precise steering. The i4's regenerative braking system was innovative, though its adaptive recuperation feature was not entirely convincing.

The 2023 MINI Cooper JCW was the quickest in the lineup, with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine, shared with some BMW models, provided smooth and strong performance. The six-speed manual transmission offered an engaging driving experience, though clutch take-up was abrupt. The Cooper S models featured a detuned version of the JCW engine, while the base models had a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-three. Fuel economy varied across models, with the electric MINI Cooper SE offering 114 miles of range. The JCW's handling was enjoyable, though not as reactive as expected, and the ride was firm.

The 2022 BMW i4 offered a low seating position, which surprisingly did not hinder visibility. However, the fastback roof limited headroom, and the interior felt open despite limited side glass. The front seats lacked bolstering, and the wireless charging pad was too small for larger phones. Cargo space was limited to 10 cubic feet, and the i4 lacked a front trunk. The rear seats folded down, but the overall cargo capacity was less than competitors like the Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3.

The 2023 MINI Cooper provided good outward visibility and ample front legroom and headroom. The two-door model's rear bench and cargo space were limited, with only nine cubic feet available. The four-door models offered more cargo space, and the convertible featured a unique tailgate design for easier access. The convertible's roof rails allowed for a sunroof-like experience. The MINI's instrument panel had a matte finish, and the infotainment system included a playful glowing ring that responded to various controls.

The 2022 BMW i4 featured the latest iDrive8 infotainment system with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 14.9-inch central touchscreen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, navigation, and SiriusXM. Optional features included a head-up display, Harman Kardon audio, and 5G connectivity. The user experience was familiar to existing BMW drivers, with a rotary controller and effective voice recognition system.

The 2023 MINI Cooper came with an 8.8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM, and LED headlights. The infotainment system used older BMW iDrive software, and additional features like navigation and wireless charging were available on higher trims. The MINI's system included unique features like an Openometer and playful sounds, though it lacked the advanced interface of newer BMW models.

The 2022 BMW i4 came with standard driver-assist features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional packages added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and a 360-degree camera system. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time of publication.

The 2023 MINI Cooper included eight airbags, rear parking sensors, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Blind-spot monitoring was not available, and adaptive cruise control was limited to certain models. The NHTSA had not rated the 2023 model, but the IIHS had given the structurally identical 2014 model high ratings in most crash tests.