2023 MINI Cooper vs 2023 BMW 7 Series

The 2023 BMW 7 Series introduced a bold new design language, marking a significant departure from previous models. Its front-end styling featured an oversized beveled grille and split lighting elements, which initially seemed jarring but grew on observers over time. The profile maintained the classic 7 Series silhouette, with a long hood and extended wheelbase, while the rear end offered a more conventional design with distinctive horizontal taillights. Inside, the 7 Series boasted a modern and minimalistic interior, highlighted by a broad horizontal layout and a futuristic curved glass pane housing the instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The materials used were of premium quality, with options like light gray cashmere wool-blend upholstery adding a cozy touch. The rear seats exuded luxury, especially with the optional Rear Executive Lounge Seating package, which included a reclining passenger-side seat and a theater screen.

In contrast, the 2023 MINI Cooper retained its iconic, playful design, available as a two-door hatchback, four-door hatch, or two-door convertible. Despite being larger than its predecessors, it remained compact, with a design reminiscent of a bug-eyed bulldog. The Cooper's exterior was characterized by its short, squat stance, multicolor roofs, and vibrant colors, making it a standout in simplicity and authenticity. The interior, while slightly more mature, featured Chesterfield leather seats with diamond-patterned stitching and a unique dashboard design with a giant circular touchscreen. The MINI Cooper's interior was abstract yet high in quality, with a manual gear shifter and clutch pedal adding to the driving experience. The Cooper S and electric SE models offered unique styling options, including the Resolute Edition with Rebel Green paint and bronze accents.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series offered two initial powertrains. The base 740i featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, producing 375 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, allowing the rear-wheel-drive 740i to accelerate to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. The 760i xDrive, with all-wheel drive, upgraded to a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, delivering 536 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, reaching 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. The V8-powered 760i xDrive impressed with its quick and fluid acceleration, offering a sportier handling experience compared to rivals like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The ride quality was slightly stiffer, but not intrusive, and the Sport mode enhanced cornering and steering responsiveness.

The 2023 MINI Cooper JCW was the quickest in the lineup, powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine, shared with BMW's front-wheel-drive models, provided smooth revving and strong performance. The six-speed manual transmission had an abrupt clutch take-up, ideal for learning manual driving but challenging for smooth launches. The JCW's handling was enjoyable, with flat cornering thanks to a stiff suspension and adaptive dampers. However, the steering lacked immediacy, detracting from the promised "go-kart" experience. The base MINI Cooper models featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-three engine with 134 horsepower, while the Cooper S had a detuned version of the JCW engine with 189 horsepower. The electric MINI Cooper SE offered 114 miles of range, maintaining similar output to the gasoline Cooper S.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with power-operated doors that could be frustrating due to their sensitivity to nearby objects. The front seats were generously padded and adjustable, with standard heating and ventilation. The rear seats provided ample space for tall passengers, and the lounge seating option added a reclining passenger-side seat with massage functions. A 31.3-inch rear entertainment screen folded down from the panoramic sunroof, though its central placement could cause neck strain. The trunk offered 13.7 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly larger than competitors, with a wide and deep design for easy loading. Interior storage was adequate, with a wireless charging pad, cupholders, and small door pockets.

The 2023 MINI Cooper's interior offered 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 space, expanding to 34 cubic feet with the seats folded. The four-door models offered more cargo space, with 13 cubic feet and 41 cubic feet with the seats up and down, respectively. 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, enhancing the open-air experience. The MINI's instrument panel featured a matte finish to reduce glare, and the infotainment system combined a touchscreen with console buttons, though the buttons were awkwardly placed.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series featured the iDrive 8 infotainment system, operable via touchscreen, central dial, or voice commands. While basic functions were easy to use, the system's complexity increased with deeper menu navigation. Voice controls helped mitigate this, allowing commands like "Hey BMW, turn on the driver seat massage." The standard 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System provided excellent audio quality. However, the optional theater screen had inconsistent touchscreen inputs, requiring an on-screen overlay for navigation. The iDrive system, once favored, felt bloated and less intuitive compared to rivals.

The 2023 MINI Cooper came standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, and LED headlights. Cooper S models in Signature trim added a panoramic moonroof and heated leatherette seats. The infotainment system used older BMW iDrive software, with a home screen displaying maps and music side by side. While settings were easy to adjust, the system lacked the advanced features found in newer BMW models. The MINI's unique features included an Openometer, a "checkup" display, and cartoonish sounds and chimes.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, which was typical for luxury vehicles. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and more. The optional Driving Assistance Professional package added a hands-free automated driving system for highways. The adaptive cruise control was smooth, and the highway driving assistant automated braking, acceleration, and steering at speeds up to 85 mph.

The 2023 MINI Cooper came standard with 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 automatic transmission models. The NHTSA had not rated the MINI Cooper, but the IIHS had given the structurally identical 2014 model high ratings in five out of six crash tests.