2022 MINI Cooper vs 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

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 playful personality was evident in its design, with new paint colors like Island Blue and Zesty Yellow adding to its appeal. Inside, the MINI Convertible combined retro aesthetics with modern technology, featuring a new steering wheel and an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. However, the car's proportions and grille design drew mixed reactions, and its form-over-function approach resulted in a cluttered interior.

In contrast, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class exuded calm sophistication with its clean lines and sculpted front end. The S 580e trim, with its plug-in hybrid powertrain and 4Matic AWD, added a touch of modernity to the luxury sedan. The interior was a testament to opulence, offering eight different leather upholstery colors and five trim materials. The panoramic sunroof and superb fit and finish, including ridiculously soft headrests, made for a luxurious experience. The S-Class also featured a plethora of standard features, including massaging, heated, and ventilated seats, as well as a heated steering wheel and armrests.

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 variant featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 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 was front-wheel drive. The Cooper S test car, equipped with a manual transmission, averaged 27.1 mpg in combined driving. The JCW models offered even more power with 235 hp and 228 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in just over six seconds.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S 580e combined a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with a 28.6-kWh battery and an electric motor, providing 56 miles of all-electric range. The car's total output was 510 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, managed by a nine-speed automatic transmission. It accelerated from 0 to 62 mph in about 4.4 seconds, matching the performance of the S 580 with its twin-turbo V8. The S 580e offered a smooth and luxurious ride, with a buttery soft air suspension and rear-wheel steering for improved maneuverability. The car's hybrid mode seamlessly transitioned between electric and gas power, providing a cloud-like driving experience.

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. While the MINI Convertible'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 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was packed with standard features, including massaging, heated, and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and armrests. The car also featured power sunshades, soft-closing doors, and 64-color ambient lighting. The Energizing Comfort wellness program combined interior lighting, massage, audio, fragrance, and climate controls for a unique experience. While the trunk space was limited to 8.1 cubic feet, the standard S-Class offered 12.9 cubic feet. For more cargo space, the Porsche Panamera plug-in hybrid was a better option.

The 2022 MINI Cooper introduced a new MINI Connected infotainment system with an 8.8-inch touchscreen display. The system offered 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 car's modern appeal, though the screens could wash out in direct sunlight. The Harman Kardon sound system provided impressive sound quality, even at highway speeds with the top down.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class featured a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen center display with the latest MBUX infotainment system. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a variety of games, and a natural-language AI assistant. The augmented reality navigation system provided convenient numerical addresses and arrows overlaid on a video from the forward-facing camera. The car also offered wireless charging, USB-C ports, and a standard Burmester sound system.

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 available with automatic transmission, but blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were not offered.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was equipped with a comprehensive suite of ADAS safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and rear cross-traffic alert. The hands-on highway driver-assist system used adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology, while Crosswind Assist and Speed Limit Assist added to the car's safety. The S-Class had not yet been rated by NHTSA or IIHS.