2022 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Toyota Camry

The 2022 MINI Cooper adhered to its classic design roots while embracing modernity, resulting in a car that exuded personality and was a joy to drive, especially in Cooper S and JCW specifications. Over the years, the MINI lineup expanded to include various body styles, and the cars themselves grew larger for utility and safety reasons. The 2022 models featured refreshed styling with new bumpers, a grille, standard LED headlights, and updated details like side scuttle designs and wheel arch trim. New paint colors and extended Piano Black Exterior treatment added to the car's charm.

Inside, the 2022 MINI Convertible maintained its retro-modern aesthetic with a new steering wheel and next-generation infotainment system featuring a standard 8.8-inch touchscreen display. The car's personality shone through, but its form-over-function design meant the interior could feel cluttered. The Cooper S specification and Sidewalk Edition package added exclusive features, with pricing ranging from $27,900 to $38,900, plus options and destination charges.

The 2022 Toyota Camry TRD, on the other hand, caught attention with its eye-catching Cavalry Blue paint, exclusive to the performance-tuned TRD model. The 2022 updates included standard heated side mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a new Nightshade Edition package for the SE Hybrid trim. With 13 different versions to choose from, the Camry offered a range of options, from the base LE to the sporty XSE, with pricing starting just over $26,000 and topping out at just under $37,000.

Our test car, the Camry TRD, featured an aerodynamic body kit, matte-black 19-inch wheels, red brake calipers, and a gloss black grille. The interior had an unusual dashboard layout and driver-oriented center console design, but the red gauge illumination and other red accents felt tacky. Despite its polarizing looks, the Camry TRD delivered on performance, making it a standout in the lineup.

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 turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 189 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque, achieving 60 mph in less than seven seconds. Both engines came with a choice of a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and the MINI Convertible was front-wheel drive.

Our Cooper S test car had the manual transmission, providing plenty of torque for a fun driving experience. The EPA estimated fuel economy at 26 mpg in combined driving, but we averaged 27.1 mpg. The JCW models offered even more thrill with a tuned version of the Cooper S engine, delivering 235 hp and 228 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in just over six seconds. However, the MINI's steering response and brake pedal feel were disappointing, reducing driving satisfaction.

The 2022 Toyota Camry TRD featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 301 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. The TRD model included a Sport transmission mode, paddle shifters, and a Sport driving mode, with an EPA rating of 25 mpg in combined driving. We averaged 24.8 mpg during our test.

The Camry TRD's "track-tuned" driving dynamics included increased torsional rigidity, stiffer sway bars, tauter springs, TRD shocks, and bigger brakes. The car felt solid and planted, with excellent brake pedal feel and modulation. However, the FWD setup made it easy to break the front wheels loose. Despite its aggressive styling, the Camry TRD delivered on performance, making it a fun and engaging car to drive.

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, with the infotainment system's physical controls taking up valuable space. For those needing more room, other MINI models like the Hardtop 4 Door, Clubman, and Countryman were better options.

The 2022 Toyota Camry TRD's front seats, despite their sporty appearance, did not offer added bolstering but were comfortable and supportive. The back seat accommodated two adults comfortably, though it lacked rear-seat air vents and a 60/40-split folding back seat. The trunk offered 15.1 cubic feet of space, smaller than some competitors, but the Camry made up for it with generous in-cabin storage.

The 2022 MINI Cooper introduced a new MINI Connected infotainment system with a standard 8.8-inch touchscreen display, LED lighting, and customizable widgets. The system included Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa integration, SiriusXM satellite radio, and BMW-based connected services. Navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a Harman Kardon premium sound system were available. The digital instrument cluster and head-up display added to the tech-savvy interior.

The 2022 Toyota Camry TRD came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Optional upgrades included a 9-inch touchscreen display and a 9-speaker JBL premium audio system. The Camry TRD did not offer dynamic connected navigation or a 360-degree surround-view monitoring system, but it provided a solid tech package for its price point.

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. The car came with standard Driving Assistant technology, including 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 Toyota Camry featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, and a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert. The Camry's lane-departure warning system and lane-centering assistance could be overly sensitive, but Safety Connect provided additional peace of mind. The Camry earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from IIHS and five-star ratings from NHTSA.