2022 MINI Cooper vs 2023 Subaru WRX

The 2022 MINI Cooper, refreshed for the model year, retained its iconic charm with a modern twist. It featured restyled bumpers, a new grille, and standard LED headlights, complemented by the car's distinctive Union Jack taillights. The MINI's design updates included new paint colors and extended Piano Black Exterior treatment, enhancing its playful and customizable appearance. Inside, the MINI Convertible offered a retro-modern feel with a new steering wheel and an upgraded infotainment system, complete with a standard 8.8-inch touchscreen display. Despite its quirky design, the MINI Convertible's proportions remained awkward, with the new grille accentuating its overbite. However, the car's personality and promise of fun were unmistakable, offering a unique open-air experience with its quick-operating convertible top.

In contrast, the 2023 Subaru WRX presented a more aggressive and performance-oriented look, distinct from its Impreza roots. Built on the Subaru Global Platform, the WRX showcased a wide-body design with functional elements like the signature hood scoop. The WRX's styling conveyed its performance capabilities, aligning with Subaru's current design language. Inside, the WRX maintained Subaru's reputation for durability with a basic yet functional interior. The GT model featured Recaro Performance Design front seats with red contrast stitching, adding a sporty touch to the mostly black cabin. While the WRX's interior was not luxurious, it offered comfort and practicality, making it suitable for daily driving and spirited road trips.

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 allowed the MINI to accelerate to 60 mph in over eight seconds. For more spirited performance, the Cooper S variant featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 189 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, achieving 60 mph in under seven seconds. The MINI Convertible was front-wheel drive, with a choice between a six-speed manual and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Cooper S test car, equipped with a manual transmission, provided ample torque for an engaging driving experience. However, the MINI's steering response and brake pedal feel were less precise, affecting overall driving satisfaction. The JCW models offered even more power with 235 horsepower and 228 pound-feet of torque, but the MINI's dynamic behavior felt disconnected from its original go-kart sensation.

The 2023 Subaru WRX, powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder boxer engine, delivered 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This placed the WRX between competitors like the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R in terms of power. Unlike most front-wheel-drive rivals, the WRX featured all-wheel drive, enhancing its grip and handling capabilities. The WRX offered a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional Subaru Performance Transmission (SPT) CVT, which mimicked a conventional automatic transmission. The GT model included electronically controlled dampers and a drive mode select system, allowing drivers to customize settings for various driving conditions. While the WRX provided a confident and composed driving experience, its muted exhaust note and laid-back steering reduced the sense of urgency, making it a competent but less exuberant performer.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible prioritized form over function, with comfortable front seats but nearly unusable 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 controls occupying valuable space on the center console. While the MINI's compact size was expected, it lacked practicality compared to other MINI models like the Hardtop 4 Door, Clubman, and Countryman, which offered more passenger and cargo space.

The 2023 Subaru WRX, as a compact sedan, provided a balance of practicality and performance. It offered slightly more front headroom and legroom than the Honda Civic Si, though the Civic provided more rear-seat space. The WRX's trunk measured 12.5 cubic feet, less than some competitors, but it featured a 60/40 split-folding rear seat for added versatility. Subaru maintained good outward visibility with low window-sill lines and thin roof pillars, enhancing the driving experience. However, the WRX's cabin lacked a convenient place for a smartphone, with limited storage options for modern devices.

The 2022 MINI Cooper introduced the MINI Connected infotainment system with a standard 8.8-inch touchscreen display. The system featured LED lighting with 12 colors, changing based on vehicle settings. It offered Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa integration, and SiriusXM satellite radio, with optional navigation and a Harman Kardon sound system. The infotainment system, based on BMW's iDrive technology, paired with a digital instrument cluster, providing a modern tech experience. A head-up display was available, visible even with polarized sunglasses, and the Harman Kardon sound system delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2023 Subaru WRX featured the Subaru Starlink infotainment system with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Base models had dual 7-inch touchscreens, while higher trims received an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. The larger screen offered clear icons and text, though physical buttons and knobs were missed for tactile feedback. The interface was user-friendly, but SiriusXM satellite radio required multiple steps to access. The system lacked sophisticated voice recognition, and SiriusXM took time to load on startup, affecting the overall user experience.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible benefited from its increased size, enhancing occupant protection. However, it lacked crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS. The MINI featured standard Driving Assistant technology, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Adaptive cruise control was optional, but blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were unavailable, impacting visibility with the top raised.

The 2023 Subaru WRX included Subaru's EyeSight safety system, available with the CVT. EyeSight offered adaptive cruise control, automated lane-centering, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking. The WRX received top "Good" scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, highlighting its strong safety credentials.