2022 MINI Cooper vs 2023 BMW 7 Series

The 2022 MINI Cooper retained its iconic charm, drawing inspiration from its classic predecessors while embracing modern updates. Despite its growth over the years, the MINI Cooper continued to exude personality, especially in its Hardtop and Convertible forms. The 2022 refresh brought restyled bumpers, a new grille, and standard LED headlights, enhancing its playful appearance. However, the new grille design accentuated the car's awkward proportions, particularly in lighter colors. Inside, the MINI Convertible offered a retro-modern feel, with customizable options and a standard digital instrument cluster. The open-top experience was unique, but the emphasis on design over function sometimes resulted in a cluttered interior.

In contrast, the 2023 BMW 7 Series introduced a bold new design language, marked by an oversized grille and split lighting elements. While initially polarizing, the front-end styling grew on some over time. The profile maintained the classic 7 Series silhouette, and the rear design was cohesive with distinctive taillights. Inside, the 7 Series boasted a modern, minimalistic interior with high-quality materials and a futuristic curved glass housing for the instrument panel and infotainment screen. The spacious rear seats, especially with the optional Rear Executive Lounge Seating package, offered a luxurious experience. However, some features, like the power-operated doors and theater screen, were seen as solutions to non-existent problems.

The 2022 MINI Cooper offered a range of engine options, starting with a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine producing 134 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. This engine took 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 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, achieving 60 mph in under seven seconds. The JCW models pushed performance further with 235 horsepower and 228 pound-feet of torque, reaching 60 mph in just over six seconds. The MINI Convertible was front-wheel drive, with a choice of a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Despite its sporty intentions, the MINI's steering and brake feel were less precise, and the ride quality varied depending on the road surface.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series offered two initial powertrains. The base 740i featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, delivering 375 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. The 760i xDrive upgraded to a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, producing 536 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, reaching 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. The 7 Series excelled in providing a smooth and powerful driving experience, with responsive handling and a slightly stiffer ride compared to rivals. The Sport mode enhanced cornering and steering responsiveness, appealing to drivers who valued performance alongside luxury.

The 2022 MINI Cooper prioritized form over function, particularly in the Convertible model. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats were nearly unusable, even for children. The trunk offered just 5.2 cubic feet of space, accessible through a bottom-hinged lid. Interior storage was limited, with the infotainment controls occupying valuable space on the center console. While the MINI's compact size was expected, those needing more space could opt for other MINI models like the Hardtop 4 Door, Clubman, or Countryman.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series provided a more spacious and luxurious interior. The front seats were well-padded and adjustable, with standard heating and ventilation. The rear seats offered ample space, even for tall passengers, and the optional lounge seating added a reclining seat with massage functions. The trunk held 13.7 cubic feet of cargo, larger than some competitors, with a wide and deep space for larger items. Interior storage was adequate, with a wireless charging pad, cupholders, and small bins. However, some features, like the power-operated doors and theater screen, were seen as unnecessary and potentially frustrating.

The 2022 MINI Cooper introduced the MINI Connected infotainment system with a standard 8.8-inch touchscreen. The system allowed drivers to swipe between widgets and offered Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa integration, and SiriusXM radio. Navigation, wireless charging, and a Harman Kardon sound system were optional. The system was based on BMW's iDrive technology, paired with a digital instrument cluster. A head-up display was available, and the Harman Kardon sound system impressed with its ability to overcome ambient noise.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series featured iDrive 8, the latest version of BMW's infotainment system. It could be operated via touchscreen, central dial, or voice commands. While basic functions were easy to use, deeper menu navigation was complex. Voice controls helped mitigate this, but they interrupted audio playback. The standard 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system delivered excellent audio quality. The optional theater screen had usability challenges, with inconsistent touchscreen inputs and a missing remote control. Overall, iDrive 8 was seen as less intuitive compared to previous versions and rival systems.

The 2022 MINI Cooper 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 was unavailable, posing a challenge with the top raised. The lane-departure warning system was effective without being intrusive.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series also lacked crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, which was common for luxury vehicles. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and more. The optional Driving Assistance Professional package added a hands-free automated driving system for highways. The adaptive cruise control was smooth, and the highway driving assistant reduced driver fatigue. BMW planned to introduce a level 3 automated driving system in some markets, but it required additional equipment.