2022 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Acura TLX

The 2022 MINI Cooper, refreshed for the model year, retained its iconic charm with restyled bumpers, a new grille, and standard LED headlights. The car's playful personality was evident, especially in the Cooper S and JCW specifications. However, the MINI had grown over the years, adding a convertible, wagon, and crossover to its lineup. The Hardtop and Convertible models, despite their modern updates, still carried the essence of the original MINI design. Inside, the MINI Convertible combined retro aesthetics with modern technology, offering a unique driving experience with its wide range of customization options. However, the emphasis on form over function sometimes resulted in a cluttered interior.

The 2022 Acura TLX, with its wide and long stance, presented a substantial luxury sedan appearance. It was significantly larger than its competitors, like the BMW 3 Series, with a wider track and a longer body. The TLX's design featured thin headlights, a five-sided grille, and large tailpipes, giving it a bold and aggressive look. The Type S variant added exclusive features like Tiger Eye Pearl paint, 20-inch Y-spoke gray wheels, and a rear diffuser. Inside, the TLX offered a snug but well-detailed cabin with high-quality materials and a Scandinavian-inspired design in the upper trims. The seats were comfortable, and the driving position was low, enhancing the sporty feel of the car.

The 2022 MINI Cooper offered a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine producing 134 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of over eight seconds. For more spirited driving, the Cooper S featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 189 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in under seven seconds. Both engines were available with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and the car was front-wheel drive. The JCW models, with a tuned version of the Cooper S engine, delivered 235 hp and 228 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in just over six seconds. Despite its sporty nature, the MINI's steering response and brake feel were disappointing, and the car's tires struggled with aggressive cornering.

The 2022 Acura TLX, powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, produced 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The TLX offered Super Handling-All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) for an additional $2000, enhancing stability and handling precision. The Type S variant featured a 3.0-liter turbo V6 engine with 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, excelling on the track with its double-wishbone front suspension, adaptive dampers, and SH-AWD system. The TLX's steering provided decent road feel, and the Brembo front brakes performed well. However, the Type S's exhaust note was subdued, and the summer tires emitted extra noise on the highway. Fuel economy for the Type S was 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible prioritized form over function, with comfortable front seats but essentially useless 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 system's controls were hard to reach. However, MINI offered other models with more passenger and cargo space, such as the Hardtop 4 Door, Clubman, and Countryman.

The 2022 Acura TLX, despite its large exterior, had a tight interior for four passengers. The back seat offered decent headroom but limited legroom. The front seats were comfortable, with adjustable side bolsters and a low driving position. The touchpad interface for the infotainment system required acclimation, and the trunk space was mediocre at 13.5 cubic feet. The TLX's double-wishbone suspension took up more space, limiting interior and trunk capacity.

The 2022 MINI Cooper introduced a new MINI Connected infotainment system with an 8.8-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa integration, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The system featured LED lighting with 12 colors and a standard digital instrument cluster. A head-up display and a Harman Kardon premium sound system were available. The infotainment system, based on BMW's iDrive technology, performed well even in convertible models.

The 2022 Acura TLX featured a touchpad interface for its infotainment system, which required practice to use effectively. The head-up display, available only with the Advance Package, allowed interaction with various functions. The ELS Studio audio system with 17 speakers was included in the Type S, along with standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and 12-way heated front seats. The Technology Package linked climate control to navigation and included standard driver assistance features like AcuraWatch.

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 optional, but blind-spot monitoring and a digital rearview mirror were not available.

The 2022 Acura TLX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS and a five-star overall score from NHTSA. Standard safety features included knee airbags, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, auto high beams, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors were available with the Technology Package and higher trims.