2023 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Kia K5

The 2022 Kia K5 was available in five trim levels: LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT, all featuring a turbocharged engine. The LXS and GT-Line offered an optional all-wheel-drive system. Base prices ranged from $23,790 to $31,190, excluding the destination charge. The test car, a K5 EX with front-wheel drive, extra-cost paint, the EX Premium option package, and floor mats, had an MSRP of $33,945, including destination. The K5's design was sleek and luxurious, resembling a luxury sports sedan rather than a practical family car. The Glacial White Pearl paint paired with Ash Blue synthetic leather and matte-finish fake wood trim created an upscale interior. The car exuded quality, with solid controls and refined components, making it feel like a bargain-priced yet high-quality vehicle.

The 2023 MINI Cooper, available as a two-door hatchback, four-door hatch, or two-door convertible, maintained its unique and playful design. The third-generation model was larger than its predecessors but still smaller than most modern cars. The two-door Cooper resembled a bug-eyed bulldog, with its short, squat body and tires stretched to the corners. The test car, a Cooper JCW, featured a gradient paint effect, 18-inch wheels, and red brake calipers, giving it a toy-like appearance. The interior was slightly more grown-up, with Chesterfield leather seats and a giant circular touchscreen on the dash. The fit, finish, and quality were high, and the interior never felt cheap. The Cooper S and electric SE models offered unique design elements and features, making the MINI Cooper a playful and stylish choice.

The 2022 Kia K5 GT featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. However, the GT was the most expensive and least efficient version, lacking all-wheel drive. The standard K5 engine was a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, offering linear power delivery and minimal low-end lag. The K5 EX included Drive Mode Select with Normal, Sport, Smart, and Custom settings, and Active Sound Control for a simulated engine note. During testing, the 1.6-liter turbo performed well, providing enough power for daily driving and merging onto freeways. The K5 EX achieved 29.1 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA's 31 mpg estimate. The car's suspension struggled with small road anomalies, but wind noise was minimal. The K5 EX's steering feel was not as engaging as competitors like the Honda Accord, but it was reasonably capable and not sloppy to drive.

The 2023 MINI Cooper JCW was the quickest Cooper, with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The six-speed manual transmission had an abrupt clutch take-up, making it ideal for teaching manual driving but challenging for smooth launches. The engine rev-matched on downshifts in Sport mode, and an eight-speed automatic was also available. Base MINI Cooper models had a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-three with 134 hp and 162 lb-ft, while Cooper S models had a detuned version of the JCW engine with 189 hp and 206 lb-ft. The electric MINI Cooper SE had a range of 114 miles. The JCW's handling was enjoyable, with flat cornering and adaptive dampers, but the steering lacked immediacy. The ride was firm, and the brakes were impressive. Fuel economy varied, with the JCW achieving 22/31/25 mpg with the manual and 25/34/29 mpg with the automatic.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered comfort with dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and rear air conditioning vents. The panoramic glass sunroof provided natural light, and the power sunroof shade operated smoothly. The low-slung design made entry and exit challenging, but the front seats were comfortable, and the SynTex synthetic leather was convincing. Rear passengers had ample room, though the hard plastic front seatback panels could be a liability. The K5's controls were logically laid out, blending style with utility. Storage space was generous, with a roomy bin under the center armrest, a smartphone charging slot, and hidden trays in the door panels. The 16 cubic-foot trunk offered plenty of cargo space, expandable by lowering the 60/40-split folding back seat. However, the trunk lid lacked an interior handle for closing.

The 2023 MINI Cooper Hardtop had good outward visibility and ample front seat legroom and headroom. The rear bench in the two-door model was cramped, and the cargo hold measured just nine cubic feet, expanding to 34 cubic feet with the seats folded. The four-door Cooper offered 13 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 41 cubic feet with the seats down. Convertible models had only eight cubic feet of cargo space, but the tailgate folded down like a pickup truck tailgate for unobstructed access. The convertible's roof rails allowed the fabric section to slide back like a sunroof, providing a pleasant open-air experience. The MINI's instrument panel had a matte finish to reduce glare, but the central display was harder to read. The infotainment system used both a touchscreen and buttons, but the buttons were located too far down. The glowing ring on the dashboard porthole was a helpful feature, mimicking various functions like engine revs and volume adjustments.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered two infotainment systems. The standard system for LX and LXS trims included an 8-inch touchscreen with large stereo volume and tuning knobs, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Starting with GT-Line trim, the K5 featured a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen but lost the tuning knob and required a cable for smartphone integration. This system included satellite radio, Kia Connect subscription services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a navigation system, and Sounds of Nature ambient noise tracks. A wireless smartphone charger was standard on most trims, and the Premium package added a 12-speaker Bose audio system and Active Sound Design technology. The test car also had a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system. The K5's infotainment system graphics were predominantly purple, and the voice recognition technology was subpar, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable.

The 2023 MINI Cooper came standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay (but not Android Auto), SiriusXM satellite radio, connected apps, LED headlights, Union Jack-patterned taillights, rain-sensing wipers, and manual seats. Cooper S models in Signature trim added a panoramic moonroof and heated leatherette seats. Navigation, automatic parking, wireless phone charging, and a head-up display were available on the Iconic trim. The infotainment system used reskinned BMW iDrive software, which was several versions old. The home screen could display the map and music side by side, and settings were easy to adjust. The Cooper featured unique elements like an Openometer, a "checkup" with a MINI wearing sunglasses, and cartoonish sounds and chimes.

The 2022 Kia K5 excelled in driver assistance systems, bundled within the Kia Drive Wise collection. The test car included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-following assist. Additional features included automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safe Exit Assist. The EX Premium package added cyclist detection, Junction Turning Assist, navigation-based adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, front and rear parking sensors, automatic rear braking, a surround-view monitoring system, and power rear child locks. The K5 achieved the highest safety rating from the IIHS (Top Safety Pick+) and a five-star crash-test rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 MINI Cooper came standard with eight airbags, including two front knee airbags, rear parking sensors, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. However, blind-spot monitoring and many other safety features were unavailable. Adaptive cruise control was available on certain versions with the automatic transmission. The NHTSA had not rated the MINI Cooper, and the IIHS last published safety ratings for the 2014 model, which was structurally identical to the 2023 MINI Cooper, giving it the highest "good" rating in five out of six crash tests.