2022 MINI Cooper vs 2023 Kia Forte

The 2022 MINI Cooper was an embodiment of nostalgia merged with modern-day appeal. With a design lineage tracing back two decades, it remained a charismatic vehicle despite its evolution in size and form. The MINI's adoption of larger dimensions accommodated more practicality and stringent safety requirements. Its refreshed 2022 model year introduced revamped bumpers, a new grille, standard LED headlights, and vibrant Union Jack taillights. Enhancements also included updated side scuttle designs and wheel arch trims. New wheel designs, along with the introduction of paint colors such as Island Blue, Rooftop Grey, and Zesty Yellow, provided additional customization options. The Piano Black Exterior package extended to door handles, the fuel lid, and exhaust outlets, contributing to the MINI's modern aesthetic.

The 2022 MINI Convertible retained its characteristic charm, albeit with proportions that might seem awkward to some. The new grille, although part of the redesign, drew attention to the car's prominent overbite. Despite mixed opinions on its appearance, the car's unmistakable fun persona remained intact. Inside, it mixed retro vibes with contemporary technology, including a next-gen infotainment system with a standard 8.8-inch touchscreen. The convertible’s top could be retracted in about 18 seconds, enhancing the open-air experience. Customization options in colors and materials allowed individual expression, although the interior could become cluttered depending on the chosen configuration.

Conversely, the 2023 Kia Forte retained some of Kia's older design cues while incorporating newer styling elements since its last redesign in 2019. The traditional double-tab grille and converging cutouts lent a familiar yet modern touch. The GT trims introduced bold red accents, adding a sporty flair that might not appeal to everyone. From the side and rear, the Forte's design was typical of its class, yet it maintained a graceful shape surpassing some competitors.

Inside, the Forte held onto Kia’s older layout, featuring a centrally mounted touchscreen with traditional knobs for climate control below. This layout made it user-friendly, allowing easy operation without extensive menu navigation. The interior boasted superior materials, using fewer hard plastics and incorporating more soft-touch surfaces. The GT models came with synthetic leather upholstery that was notably thicker and more substantial compared to some rivals. The rear seats, designed with child passengers in mind, included more durable hard plastic to withstand wear and tear. Even years after its redesign, the Forte's interior remained competitive and favorably modern.

The 2022 MINI Cooper offered 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. For those desiring more excitement, the Cooper S variant featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 189 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque, and achieving 60 mph in under seven seconds. MINI provided both engines with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and the car remained front-wheel drive.

Driving modes in the MINI included Green, Mid, and Sport, adjusting the powertrain's response accordingly. The Sport mode was particularly engaging, featuring a downshift rev-matching function for smoother gear changes. Fuel economy was commendable, with our testing showing an average of 27.1 mpg compared to the EPA’s 26 mpg estimate. For thrill-seekers, the JCW models enhanced performance with a 235 hp engine, reaching 60 mph in just over six seconds with its eight-speed automatic transmission.

Despite its sporting nature, the Cooper S was not a pure sports car but offered an engaging drive. However, off-center steering response and brake pedal feel were less precise than desired, detracting from the driving experience. The tires, not up to high-speed cornering, squealed under pressure. Interior wind buffeting was significant with the top down, and visibility issues arose due to the rearview mirror placement and high driving position.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Forte presented two engine choices: a base 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, and a GT trim 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 201 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. The base engine, paired with a CVT, accelerated to 60 mph in 8.7 seconds, typical for its class. The GT model, offering a sportier drive, reached 60 mph in 6.5 seconds and came with either a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic or a six-speed manual transmission.

The base powertrain was adequate for most, while the GT trim, with its sport-tuned suspension, suited those seeking more performance. The CVT in the base model could feel sluggish but performed satisfactorily once at speed. The GT’s dual-clutch automatic provided a more responsive drive, although it could be jumpy at low speeds. The manual transmission, while slightly slower, offered a more engaging drive with a light clutch and precise shifter.

Handling in the Forte GT was surprisingly agile, offering a sporty feel with little tire squeal. The steering, though precise, lacked feedback, discouraging overly aggressive driving. Despite the sport-tuned suspension, ride quality was comfortable, handling bumps and ruts with ease. The cabin was relatively quiet, comparable to other sedans in the class, with only minor road noise noted.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible was more about style than practicality. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, but the rear seats were nearly unusable, even for children, making it impractical for carrying passengers. The trunk offered just 5.2 cubic feet of space, accessible through a bottom-hinged lid similar to a pickup truck's tailgate. This limited cargo space could hold a full-sized suitcase and a few smaller items but not much more. Interior storage was also minimal, with control placements consuming valuable space.

For those in need of more room, MINI’s other models like the Hardtop 4 Door, Clubman, and Countryman were better suited, though they lacked the Convertible’s open-top experience.

The 2023 Kia Forte, in contrast, provided ample front-seat space, even for taller passengers, with a comfortable and straightforward layout that placed controls within easy reach. The dashboard, center stack, and console were designed for ease of use. The rubberized phone tray and available wireless charger added convenience.

Rear seats were spacious enough to comfortably fit an average-sized adult, with adequate headroom, legroom, and foot space. Higher trims offered rear air conditioning vents and a USB charge port, enhancing rear passenger comfort.

Cargo space in the Forte was notable, offering 15.3 cubic feet in the trunk, more than the Honda Civic and Mazda 3 sedans, although those hatchback versions provided more flexibility. The trunk space was adequate for bulkier items, and additional space could be accessed through remote seatback releases.

The 2022 MINI Cooper debuted the new MINI Connected infotainment system across all models, featuring a standard 8.8-inch touchscreen within the signature center dashboard ring, illuminated with 12 LED colors. The display responded to different vehicle settings, showing pertinent information such as radio, maps, or climate control settings based on driver preferences. The system supported Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and BMW’s connected services, though Android Auto was notably absent. Optional features included navigation, wireless charging, and a premium Harman Kardon sound system. The infotainment was BMW’s iDrive-based, supplemented by a new digital instrument cluster and an available head-up display that remained visible even with polarized sunglasses.

In comparison, the 2023 Kia Forte featured an 8-inch touchscreen on its base trims, while the GT-Line and higher trims received a 10.25-inch display. Standard tech included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a wireless charging pad available from the GT-Line trim. This trim also added a navigation system and upgraded the audio system to six speakers, with an optional eight-speaker Harman Kardon system for premium sound.

The Forte’s system offered sharp graphics and quick input responses, with a logical menu organization and convenient shortcut buttons. Despite an isolated issue with wireless phone integration during testing, the system generally met expectations and provided functionality comparable to other cars in its class.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible benefited from increased size, offering better crash protection. However, it lacked crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS. Newly standard Driving Assistant technology included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included adaptive cruise control for automatic transmission models. Despite the improved safety tech, blind-spot monitoring and a digital rearview mirror were absent, which could be problematic given the car's visibility challenges.

In comparison, the 2023 Kia Forte received a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. It earned “Good” ratings in most IIHS evaluations but scored “Poor” in updated front moderate overlap and side impact tests. Standard safety features across all models included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. Optional safety upgrades on the LXS trim included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning, while the GT-Line trim added adaptive cruise control and pedestrian/cyclist detection. The higher GT trims featured these safety systems as standard, along with rear parking sensors.