2022 MINI Cooper vs 2023 Nissan Altima

The 2022 MINI Cooper and 2023 Nissan Altima couldn't be more different in terms of their aesthetics and the emotions they evoke. The MINI Cooper has always strived to balance its British heritage with modern sensibilities. Over 20 years since it was reintroduced, the MINIs remained compact but expanded to include various body styles like the Hardtop, Convertible, Clubman, and Countryman.

For the 2022 model year, both the Hardtop and Convertible received several updates, including redesigned bumpers, a new grille, and standard LED headlights complemented by the car's striking Union Jack taillights. Options for fresh wheel designs and new paint colors such as Island Blue, Rooftop Grey, and Zesty Yellow were introduced. Additionally, MINI extended its Piano Black Exterior treatment to the door handles, fuel lid, and exhaust outlets.

The interior of the MINI Convertible continued to mix retro styling with modern technology, featuring new digital instrumentation, a revamped steering wheel, and an updated next-generation infotainment system with an 8.8-inch touchscreen display. Unfortunately, despite the appealing tweaks, the proportions of the Convertible remained awkward — the new grille seemed to emphasize the car's front jutting overbite even more. However, the personality of the car shone through, with its colorful and customizable interior options.

By contrast, the 2023 Nissan Altima was a more practical and understated family sedan with an emphasis on subtle elegance. The new model year brought updates like a revised grille design, new wheel options, and two fresh paint colors. Higher trims like the SL owned a more impressive visual presence, thanks to their 19-inch wheels.

Inside the Altima, the comfortable and ergonomic layout was evident, although marred by an abundance of hard plastic. The Gray leather seats, especially in higher trims, provided a high-contrast two-tone appearance that added a touch of class.

The 2022 MINI Cooper's performance options ranged from the practical to the exhilarating. The standard Cooper model featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine producing 134 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. While 0-60 mph took more than eight seconds, the Cooper S variant ramped things up with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that offered 189 horsepower and 206 lb-ft of torque, reducing the sprint to 60 mph to under seven seconds. Enthusiasts could also look to the John Cooper Works (JCW) model, delivering 235 horsepower and 228 lb-ft of torque, hitting 60 mph in just over six seconds.

Our Cooper S test car featured a manual transmission, driving experience enhanced by MINI's signature sporty feel. It exhibited 26 mpg as per EPA estimates, but our tests showed slightly better, averaging 27.1 mpg in mostly Mid mode with the top down. Unfortunately, the off-center steering response and the brake pedal's gooey feel affected the driving experience.

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Altima presented a more subdued driving experience. Most Altimas came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This engine made 188 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque in front-wheel drive models, and 182 hp and 178 lb-ft with all-wheel drive. Official EPA ratings varied between 30 and 32 mpg in combined driving, and in our testing, the Altima SL AWD averaged 27.4 mpg.

The more powerful SR VC-Turbo trim boasted a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 236 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque (or 248 hp and 273 lb-ft with premium fuel), paired with paddle shifters and a sport-tuned suspension.

The Altima offered an easy urban drive, though the ride was somewhat firm. It also had decent grip and a flat cornering attitude, although the steering felt lifeless, and the brakes seemed prone to quick heating and subsequent grumbling.

When comparing interior space and cargo capacity, the contrast between the MINI Cooper Convertible and Nissan Altima couldn’t be starker.

The MINI Convertible prioritized form over function. While the front seats were comfortable and supportive, the rear seats were nearly useless, better suited for luggage than passengers. Its trunk offered just 5.2 cubic feet of storage, accessed via a bottom-hinged lid resembling a pickup’s tailgate. Inside the cabin, storage space was limited due to the placement of the infotainment system’s controls on the center console, consuming precious real estate.

Conversely, the Nissan Altima provided a more practical and user-friendly interior. Controls were logically arranged, and the Zero Gravity seats were extremely comfortable, even though our test model’s leather upholstery felt somewhat sticky. The Altima SL featured dual-zone automatic climate control, a power sunroof, heated front seats, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. However, the front passenger’s seat only had four-way power adjustment, and the low height made ingress and egress challenging.

Rear seat comfort in the Altima was commendable, with adequate legroom, foot room, and headroom. However, passengers in lower trims would miss rear air conditioning vents. Interior storage was reasonable, with adequate door panel trays and bins, though the wireless charging pad's location in certain versions made the storage tray virtually unusable. The Altima’s trunk boasted a more generous 15.4 cubic feet compared to the MINI, providing a practical and usefully shaped cargo area.

Technology the 2022 MINI Cooper was appealing, largely due to the new MINI Connected infotainment system. This system featured a standard 8.8-inch touchscreen display housed within the iconic center dashboard décor ring, offering vibrant LED lighting. It came standard with functionalities like Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa integration, SiriusXM satellite radio, and BMW-based connected services. Optional features included navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a Harman Kardon premium sound system.

Our test vehicle showcased the new digital instrument cluster and available head-up display, as well as a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system that performed admirably even with the top down at highway speeds.

In comparison, the 2023 Nissan Altima’s base S trim was rather bleak in terms of tech, offering merely a 5-inch display and Bluetooth capabilities. Higher trims like the SV or SR added an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio with advanced service.

For 2023, the standout tech feature was the available 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, standard in SL and SR VC-Turbo trims, and optional in others. This system offered wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and an accessible wireless charging pad. The premium tech experience was completed with a Bose nine-speaker audio system available in higher trims.

Safety features significantly influenced our comparison between the two models. The 2022 MINI Cooper added Driving Assistant technology, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Adaptive cruise control was available for automatic models but lacked blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, making reversing and lane changes trickier.

In terms of crash tests, the MINI Convertible awaited ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS at the time of writing, providing no concrete data on its crash performance.

Conversely, the 2023 Nissan Altima came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver monitoring system. Higher trims added a rear automatic braking system, automatic high-beam headlights, and ProPilot Assist for highway driving. However, ProPilot Assist required greater refinement for seamless operation.

A significant trust factor came from the Altima’s crash-test results: a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS, although it received a Poor rating in the updated side-impact test.