2022 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Nissan Altima

The 2022 MINI Cooper continued to charm with its retro-modern design, staying true to its roots while embracing contemporary updates. The refreshed model featured restyled bumpers, a new grille, standard LED headlights, and the iconic Union Jack taillights. New paint colors and wheel designs added to its appeal, and the interior saw upgrades like a new steering wheel and an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Despite its playful personality, the MINI Convertible's proportions remained awkward, and its design leaned heavily on form over function.

In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Altima maintained a sleek, sporty look with its hallmark V-Motion grille and floating roofline. The Midnight Edition package on the SR trim added a touch of sophistication with gloss black accents and 19-inch wheels. Inside, the Altima offered a well-laid-out instrument panel, comfortable Zero Gravity front seats, and high-quality materials, especially in higher trims. While it didn't stand out dramatically, the Altima's design was practical and refined, making it a solid choice for a midsize sedan.

The 2022 MINI Cooper offered 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. For more spirited driving, the Cooper S featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 189 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque, achieving 60 mph in under seven seconds. The JCW models pushed performance further with 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 less than ideal, and its ride quality varied depending on the road surface.

The 2022 Nissan Altima came with two engine options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 188 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine with 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. The base engine was available with FWD or AWD, while the VC-Turbo was limited to the SR trim with FWD. The Altima's CVT transmission provided smooth acceleration, though the base engine's performance was modest. The VC-Turbo offered impressive power and efficiency, but its lack of AWD was a drawback. The Altima's suspension delivered a comfortable ride, and its cabin remained quiet and composed.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible prioritized style over practicality, 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 were hard to reach. While the MINI's compact size was expected, it was clear that it wasn't designed for those needing ample passenger or cargo space.

The 2022 Nissan Altima, as a midsize sedan, provided a more balanced approach to form and function. It offered comfortable seating for four adults, with a fifth seat suitable for short trips. The trunk measured 15.4 cubic feet, larger than some competitors, and the interior featured easy-to-use controls and a well-designed layout. However, the high rear shelf and sloping roofline compromised rear visibility, and the trunk's metal bar supports could crush items if not packed carefully.

The 2022 MINI Cooper introduced a new MINI Connected infotainment system with an 8.8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa integration. The system featured customizable widgets and a digital instrument cluster. A head-up display and a Harman Kardon sound system were available, providing good sound quality even with the top down. The infotainment system, based on BMW's iDrive, performed well, though it lacked Android Auto.

The 2022 Nissan Altima's base S trim came with a 5-inch multi-function display and a 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth connectivity. Higher trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a nine-speaker Bose audio system. The advanced drive-assist display and ProPilot Assist system offered additional convenience and safety features. Active noise cancellation and a 360-degree camera system were available on higher trims, enhancing the Altima's tech offerings.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible included standard Driving Assistant technology with forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Adaptive cruise control was optional, but blind-spot monitoring was not available. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had published crash-test ratings for the MINI Convertible, leaving its safety performance uncertain.

The 2022 Nissan Altima came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning. Higher trims added Safety Shield 360, which included rear automatic braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The NHTSA awarded the Altima five stars for overall crash protection, and the IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick+, with high ratings in crashworthiness and crash avoidance.