2023 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Subaru WRX

The 2022 Subaru WRX, despite its wider stance, maintained a subtle front end with its signature hood scoop and small hexagonal grille. The side profile was less busy, featuring black plastic cladding with a hexagonal pattern to improve aerodynamics. The rear fenders flared dramatically, and the taillights had a multifaceted design. Inside, the WRX saw significant improvements with better fit and finish, a D-shaped steering wheel, aluminum-alloy pedal covers, and carbon-fiber-pattern trim accents.

The 2023 MINI Cooper, available as a two-door hatchback, four-door hatch, or two-door convertible, retained its unique, playful design. The JCW model featured a gradient paint effect and 18-inch wheels with big red brake calipers. Inside, the Cooper had Chesterfield leather seats with diamond-patterned stitching and a giant circular touchscreen on the dash. The toggle switches and manual gear shifter added to its quirky charm. The Resolute Edition offered special paint and unique wheels, while the electric SE model stood out with yellow accents.

The 2022 Subaru WRX featured a new 2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer engine producing 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It came with a standard all-wheel-drive system and offered a choice between a six-speed manual transmission and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The manual transmission was praised for its notchy and precise shifts, while the CVT provided faster upshifts and downshifts. The new WRX's suspension, mounted on the Subaru Global Platform, offered a more forgiving ride quality and reduced body roll in corners.

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. The six-speed manual transmission had an abrupt clutch take-up, while the eight-speed automatic was engaging with hard rasps through the exhaust. Base models had a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-three engine with 134 horsepower, while Cooper S models had a detuned version of the JCW engine with 189 horsepower. The electric MINI Cooper SE had a range of 114 miles and similar output to the gasoline Cooper S. The JCW's handling was enjoyable, but the ride was firm, and the steering felt a beat behind the desired angle.

The 2022 Subaru WRX offered a cargo capacity of 12.5 cubic feet, expandable with the rear seat's 60/40 split-fold function. The sport seats were comfortable and supportive, with premium cloth materials in the base and Premium trims or Ultrasuede in the Limited and GT trims. The standard all-wheel drive added to its practicality, making it a viable commuter vehicle.

The 2023 MINI Cooper had good outward visibility and ample front seat legroom and headroom. 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 models offered 13 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 41 cubic feet. Convertible models had only eight cubic feet of cargo space but featured a tailgate that folded down for unobstructed access and roof rails that allowed the fabric section to slide back like a sunroof. The instrument panel had a matte finish, and the infotainment system used both a touchscreen and buttons on the console.

The 2022 Subaru WRX featured an 11.6-inch tablet-style touchscreen display in premium-trim or higher models, with physical controls for climate control, power and volume, tuning, and defrost functions. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, but the latter only displayed on the top half of the screen. The base trim had two 7-inch displays stacked one on top of the other. An 11-speaker Harmon Kardon stereo system was available in higher trims.

The 2023 MINI Cooper came standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen, 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. Navigation, automatic parking, wireless phone charging, and a head-up display were available on the Iconic trim. The infotainment system used reskinned BMW iDrive software, with an Openometer and cartoonish sounds and chimes.

The 2022 Subaru WRX offered Subaru’s EyeSight suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) on CVT-equipped models, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-tracing assist. Manual transmission models did not have EyeSight. Blind-spot monitoring with lane-change assist and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on the Limited and GT trims. The Subaru Global Platform improved crash energy absorption, and the car came with seven airbags as standard equipment.

The 2023 MINI Cooper came standard with eight airbags, rear parking sensors, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring and many other safety features were not available. Adaptive cruise control was available on certain versions with the automatic transmission. The NHTSA had not rated the MINI Cooper, and the IIHS last published safety ratings for the 2014 model, giving it the highest “good” rating in five out of six crash tests.