2023 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Nissan Sentra

The 2022 Nissan Sentra, redesigned in 2020, carried over its modern, low-slung, coupe-like exterior into 2022. It resembled a downsized Altima, a significant improvement over its pre-2020 cartoonish design. The Sentra's exterior was available in bold colors like blue, burnt orange, and "Scarlet Ember," with options for a contrasting black roof. Inside, the Sentra boasted a modern yet simple layout, with easy-to-use controls and a visually appealing touchscreen centerpiece. The interior design was both functional and upscale, featuring a trio of vents in the center dash.

The 2023 MINI Cooper, available as a two-door hatchback, four-door hatch, or two-door convertible, maintained its unique, playful design. Larger than its 2002 predecessor but still compact, the Cooper's bug-eyed, bulldog-like appearance was accentuated by stripes, multicolor roofs, and loud colors. The JCW model featured a gradient paint effect and 18-inch wheels with red brake calipers. Inside, the Cooper's Chesterfield leather seats and toggle switches gave it a classic yet quirky feel. The interior was high-quality, with a giant circular touchscreen and supportive seats.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. While not outstanding, the engine provided solid low-end acceleration and satisfactory highway performance. The Sentra's steering was well-weighted, and its cornering was sharp for a non-performance car. The suspension handled most road bumps well, making it suitable for commuting and road trips.

The 2023 MINI Cooper JCW was the quickest Cooper, with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine, shared with BMW models, offered smooth revs and strong pulls. The six-speed manual transmission had an abrupt clutch take-up, making it ideal for learning but challenging for smooth launches. The JCW's handling was enjoyable, with flat cornering and impressive brakes. Base Cooper models had a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-three with 134 horsepower, while Cooper S models had a detuned version of the JCW engine with 189 horsepower. The electric MINI Cooper SE offered 114 miles of range.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra provided 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space, expandable with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench. The front seats offered ample headroom and legroom, while the rear seats provided decent legroom and headroom. The Sentra's front row featured large in-door cargo trays and bottle holders, with plenty of cupholders and trays in the center console.

The 2023 MINI Cooper's outward visibility was good, with plenty of legroom and headroom in the front seats. The two-door model's rear bench and cargo hold were limited, with just nine cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 34 cubic feet with the seats folded. The four-door model offered 13 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 41 cubic feet. Convertible models had eight cubic feet of cargo space, with a tailgate that folded down for unobstructed access. The convertible's roof rails allowed the fabric section to slide back like a sunroof.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a USB port, and Bluetooth connectivity. The SV and SR trims had a larger 8-inch touchscreen. The system was easy to navigate, with conventional hard buttons and volume/tuning dials. However, the graphics needed updating, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto was not available.

The 2023 MINI Cooper featured an 8.8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, connected apps, LED headlights, and Union Jack-patterned taillights. Cooper S models in Signature trim added a panoramic moonroof and heated leatherette seats. The infotainment system used older BMW iDrive software, with an Openometer and cartoonish sounds. Navigation, automatic parking, wireless phone charging, and a head-up display were available on the Iconic trim.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came with standard driver-assistance features, including forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, driver drowsiness monitoring, lane-departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. Additional features included a surround-view parking monitor and adaptive cruise control. The Sentra earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS.

The 2023 MINI Cooper had eight airbags, rear parking sensors, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. However, it lacked blind-spot monitoring and other advanced safety features. Adaptive cruise control was available on certain versions. The NHTSA had not rated the MINI Cooper, and the IIHS last rated it in 2014, giving it high marks in five out of six crash tests.