2022 MINI Cooper vs 2023 MINI Cooper

In 2022, the MINI Cooper held true to its charming roots while receiving a host of modern enhancements. This model year featured restyled bumpers, a new grille, and standard LED headlights, alongside snazzy Union Jack taillights. The 2022 MINI also saw a bevy of fresh wheel designs and paint colors such as Island Blue, Rooftop Grey, and Zesty Yellow. Notably, the Piano Black Exterior treatment extended to include the door handles, fuel lid, and exhaust outlets, giving the car a sleek and modern appearance.

Inside, the 2022 MINI Convertible exuded personality, combining retro vibes with contemporary technology. The addition of a digital instrumentation panel along with a new steering wheel and a next-generation infotainment system featuring an 8.8-inch touchscreen display marked significant upgrades. The retractable roof, which operated seamlessly at speeds up to 18 mph, contributed to the vehicle’s sense of openness and enjoyment.

Conversely, the 2023 MINI Cooper, larger than its early predecessors, still managed to maintain its iconic bug-eyed, bulldog-like demeanor. It came in various body styles, including a two-door hatchback, four-door hatch, and two-door convertible. One highlight was the gradient paint effect that transitioned from red to white to green, paired with 18-inch wheels and standout red calipers and mirrors, making the JCW model look like a life-size windup toy. The interior, decked out in Chesterfield leather seats with classic tan upholstery, diamond-patterned double stitching, and white piping, felt plush and supportive.

The 2023 model also featured updated trim options, including the Cooper S and the all-electric SE, each boasting unique styling elements like the Rebel Green paint, white mirror caps, and distinctive bronze accents.

The 2022 MINI Cooper offered a range of engines. Its base model had a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine generating 134 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, capable of going from 0 to 60 mph in over eight seconds. The Cooper S model had a more robust turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 189 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque, reducing the 0 to 60 time to under seven seconds. The EPA rated this version at 26 mpg in combined driving, though testing showcased a slight improvement to 27.1 mpg.

For those seeking thrills, the JCW models upped the ante with a tuned version of the Cooper S engine, producing 235 hp and 228 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in just over six seconds. While sporty, the 2022 model’s steering response was sticky off-center, and its brake pedal felt gooey, negatively impacting driving dynamics. Wind buffeting was another drawback when driving with the roof down.

The 2023 JCW Cooper, boasting a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine with 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, shared its engine with some BMW models. This engine promised a smooth, vibration-free ride with plenty of torque. The six-speed manual transmission had an abrupt clutch take-up, and the gears required a strong shove in some instances. However, it excelled in driver engagement, with the engine featuring automatic rev matching when downshifting in Sport mode.

The 2023 model offered a diverse lineup, from the base 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with 134 hp to the Cooper S models with a detuned JCW four-cylinder engine. For fuel-conscious buyers, the three-cylinder engine offered the best fuel economy, rated at 27/37/31 mpg with the manual transmission and slightly higher with the automatic. The electric Cooper SE, with its 114-mile range, offered a different kind of appeal entirely.

The 2022 MINI Convertible emphasized form over function, providing supportive front seats, but leaving the rear seats practically unusable for adults and children alike. The trunk space was minimal at 5.2 cubic feet, suitable only for a full-size suitcase. Storage space inside the car was also limited due to the placement of the infotainment controls on the center console.

In contrast, the 2023 MINI Cooper had more usable space. Though still compact, the two-door model's rear bench wasn't practical, but cargo space improved slightly at nine cubic feet. The four-door model offered more room, with 13 cubic feet of cargo space and 41 cubic feet with the seats folded.

Convertible configurations fared similarly, with eight cubic feet of cargo space. However, the clever tailgate design, which opened like a pickup truck tailgate, provided more accessible loading, and the roof rails allowed the fabric section to slide back like a large sunroof, enhancing the overall experience.

The 2022 MINI Cooper introduced a new MINI Connected infotainment system mounted in an 8.8-inch touchscreen display. The system featured access to Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa integration, SiriusXM satellite radio, and various connected services. Despite the threat of washout in sunny conditions, the screens remained mostly readable. Available upgrades included navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a Harman Kardon premium sound system.

For 2023, the MINI Cooper retained the 8.8-inch touchscreen with similar technological offerings but added more intuitive features. The head-up display, though oddly designed as a pop-up piece of plastic, was available on higher trims. The infotainment system used reskinned older BMW iDrive software, which worked efficiently but felt outdated in comparison to newer BMW models.

For 2022, the MINI Convertible benefited from larger proportions for improved safety. It featured newly standard Driving Assistant technology, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Adaptive cruise control was optional but only available with an automatic transmission. Unfortunately, neither NHTSA nor IIHS crash-test ratings were available.

Similarly, the 2023 MINI Cooper came with eight airbags, rear parking sensors, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. However, blind-spot monitoring and many other advanced safety features found in similar cars were unavailable. Adaptive cruise control could be found in automatic transmission models, but again, there were no crash-test ratings from NHTSA, and the last IIHS ratings were dated.