2023 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Toyota Camry

The 2022 Toyota Camry, particularly in its TRD variant, made a surprising impression with its striking Cavalry Blue paint, a new addition exclusive to this model. This bold color choice, along with the aerodynamic body kit and sporty design elements like matte-black 19-inch wheels and red brake calipers, set the TRD apart from other Camry versions. Despite its aggressive styling, the Camry TRD maintained a familiar interior with a driver-oriented center console and an unusual dashboard layout. However, some design choices, such as the red gauge illumination and red seatbelts, were less appealing, reminiscent of outdated aesthetics.

In contrast, the 2023 MINI Cooper offered a unique charm with its compact, playful design. Available in various body styles, the MINI Cooper retained its iconic look with a bug-eyed, bulldog-like appearance. The JCW model, in particular, stood out with its gradient paint effect and 18-inch wheels, giving it a toy-like appeal. Inside, the MINI Cooper's interior was both quirky and high-quality, featuring Chesterfield leather seats and a distinctive dashboard design. The infotainment system, housed in a circular display, added to the car's whimsical character, although some controls were less intuitive.

The 2022 Toyota Camry TRD was equipped with a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 301 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, the Camry TRD offered a spirited driving experience, enhanced by a Sport mode and paddle shifters. Despite its performance focus, the Camry TRD managed a respectable 24.8 mpg in real-world driving. The car's track-tuned dynamics, including stiffer suspension and larger brakes, contributed to its solid and planted feel on the road, although the lack of all-wheel drive was a notable omission.

The 2023 MINI Cooper JCW, on the other hand, featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine, shared with some BMW models, provided smooth and strong performance, especially in the lightweight MINI. The six-speed manual transmission offered an engaging driving experience, with Sport mode enhancing the car's responsiveness. However, the MINI's handling, while nimble, lacked the immediacy expected from its compact size. Fuel economy varied across models, with the JCW achieving 22/31/25 mpg with the manual transmission.

The 2022 Toyota Camry TRD offered a sporty driving position with comfortable front seats, although they lacked additional bolstering. The interior space was adequate for a midsize sedan, with a back seat accommodating two adults comfortably. However, the TRD's fixed rear seatback limited cargo flexibility, leaving a modest 15.1 cubic-foot trunk. In-cabin storage was generous, with a large center armrest bin and various stash spaces.

The 2023 MINI Cooper, true to its name, provided limited interior space. The two-door model's rear bench and cargo hold were particularly cramped, with just nine cubic feet of storage. The four-door version offered slightly more room, with 13 cubic feet of cargo space. Convertible models had unique features like a tailgate that folded down for easier access and roof rails that allowed the fabric top to slide back. The MINI's infotainment system, while quirky, was less user-friendly, with controls positioned awkwardly.

The 2022 Toyota Camry TRD came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. An optional 9-inch display with a JBL premium audio system was available, though dynamic navigation was not offered. The system's physical buttons and knobs were a nod to simpler times, providing ease of use.

The 2023 MINI Cooper included an 8.8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, but not Android Auto. The infotainment system, based on older BMW iDrive software, lacked the sophistication of newer systems. Additional features like navigation and wireless charging were reserved for higher trims. The MINI's infotainment quirks, such as the Openometer and cartoonish sounds, added to its playful character.

The 2022 Toyota Camry boasted Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. The Camry TRD also included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The car received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, ensuring peace of mind for drivers.

The 2023 MINI Cooper came standard with eight airbags and essential safety features like forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking. However, it lacked some advanced safety technologies found in competitors. The MINI's safety ratings were outdated, with the last IIHS evaluation in 2014, though it performed well in most tests.