2022 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Toyota Corolla

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 personality shone through its Union Jack taillights and reworked details like side scuttle designs and wheel arch trim. New paint colors and fresh wheel designs added to its appeal. Inside, the MINI Convertible featured a new steering wheel, a next-generation infotainment system with an 8.8-inch touchscreen, and standard digital instrumentation. Despite its quirky and fun design, the MINI Convertible's proportions remained awkward, and its form-over-function approach resulted in a cluttered interior.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Corolla aimed to shed its "boring" reputation with extroverted exterior styling, including scowling LED headlights and a wide grille. The SE and XSE models sported an aggressive front fascia, while the Nightshade Editions added blacked-out trim. The Apex Editions featured a subtle body kit with bronze accents and model-specific 18-inch wheels. The Corolla's interior, though less imaginative, offered a simple and appealing look with good fit and finish. However, the piano black plastic trim attracted dust and smudges, and the light gray upholstery seemed prone to stains.

The 2022 MINI Cooper came with a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine producing 134 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, taking over eight seconds to reach 60 mph. The Cooper S variant offered a more spirited drive with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 189 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque, achieving 60 mph in under seven seconds. Both engines were paired with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and the car featured front-wheel drive. The JCW models boasted a tuned version of the Cooper S engine 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 pedal feel were disappointing, and the car's tires struggled with aggressive cornering.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla sedan offered two engine options: a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 139 horsepower and 126 pound-feet of torque for the L, LE, and XLE models, and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque for the SE and XSE models. The Apex Edition versions of the SE and XSE featured a sport exhaust system. The smaller engine came with a mandatory CVT, while the 2.0-liter engine was available with a six-speed manual gearbox on the SE and SE Apex Edition models. The Apex Edition's suspension enhancements made it more nimble but at the cost of ride quality. The Corolla's performance was adequate but not particularly exciting, with the Apex Edition offering some fun in the corners.

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 hard-to-reach infotainment controls consuming valuable space. While the MINI's small size was expected, those needing more passenger and cargo space could opt for other MINI models like the Hardtop 4 Door, Clubman, or Countryman.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's interior felt decently roomy, with a low beltline aiding outward visibility. However, the steeply raked windshield and deep dashboard compromised forward visibility. The driver's seat positioning was optimized, but long-legged drivers might find knee space lacking. The Corolla sedan's 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space lagged behind competitors, though a 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat was standard. The sleek interior design limited storage space for smaller items, with a thin center console and shallow cupholders.

The 2022 MINI Cooper introduced a new MINI Connected infotainment system with a standard 8.8-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa integration, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The system featured LED lighting with 12 colors 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 were functional, even in a convertible. The optional Harman Kardon sound system impressed with its quality.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's infotainment system lagged behind competitors, with a 7-inch touchscreen on the base model and an 8-inch touchscreen on other trims. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, WiFi connectivity, Amazon Alexa integration, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A nine-speaker JBL audio system was available on higher trims. The interface was user-friendly, but some tasks were cumbersome, and the graphics looked dated. The Corolla lacked wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and didn't offer novel tech features like Hyundai's Digital Key.

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 lane-departure warning system was effective and subtle.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla received top safety ratings, earning an IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. Standard safety features under Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, Lane Tracing Assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available but not standard on all trims.