2023 MINI Cooper vs 2023 Dodge Charger

The 2023 MINI Cooper was available in various styles, including a two-door hatchback, four-door hatch, and two-door convertible. Despite being larger than its predecessors due to safety regulations and customer expectations, it remained compact, even smaller than a Mazda Miata. The MINI Cooper's design was distinctive, with a short, squat appearance and tires stretched to the corners, reminiscent of the original 1959 Mini. It featured playful design elements like stripes, multicolor roofs, and loud colors. The interior was slightly more mature, with Chesterfield leather seats and a unique dashboard design. The Cooper S and electric SE models offered special editions with unique paint and accents.

The 2023 Dodge Charger retained much of its design from previous years, with a sleek nose and sharp LED taillights. Despite its age, it appeared modern compared to other sedans like the Accord and Camry. The R/T Scatpack Swinger model featured a widebody kit with flared fenders and large tires, giving it a bold stance. The interior, however, felt dated, with a small touchscreen and plasticky knobs. The Swinger added unique touches like green stitching and badges, but overall, the space was basic and functional.

The 2023 MINI Cooper JCW was the quickest model, featuring a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine with 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine, shared with some BMW models, provided smooth revs and minimal turbo lag. The six-speed manual transmission offered an engaging driving experience, though the clutch was abrupt. The JCW's handling was enjoyable, with flat cornering and impressive brakes. Other Cooper models had less powerful engines, with the base model offering a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-three engine. The electric MINI Cooper SE had a range of 114 miles.

The 2023 Dodge Charger offered a range of engines, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 producing up to 300 horsepower. However, the V8 engines were the highlight, with the R/T model featuring a 5.7-liter engine with 370 horsepower. The Scatpack models had a 6.4-liter V8 with 485 horsepower, providing a thrilling driving experience. The Hellcat models were even more powerful, with up to 807 horsepower in the Redeye Jailbreak. The Charger handled well for its size, with good grip and braking, though it was less responsive to mid-corner corrections.

The 2023 MINI Cooper offered good outward visibility and front seat space, but the rear seats and cargo space were limited. The two-door model had just nine cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 34 cubic feet with seats folded. The four-door model offered slightly more space. The convertible had unique features like a tailgate that folded down for easier access. The interior featured a distinctive instrument panel and infotainment system, though some controls were awkwardly placed.

The 2023 Dodge Charger, despite its size, felt cramped inside. Headroom was adequate, but the footwells and rear seats were tight. The trunk was spacious at 16.5 cubic feet. The Charger's controls were straightforward, with large buttons and switches for climate and audio systems. The touchscreen was small but functional, with easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2023 MINI Cooper came with an 8.8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and other standard features. Higher trims added options like a panoramic moonroof and navigation. The infotainment system used older BMW software, lacking some modern features but offering unique MINI touches like the Openometer.

The 2023 Dodge Charger lacked the latest Uconnect system and advanced driver-assistance features. It had an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Charger SRT Dashboard app allowed customization of performance settings, and the Performance Pages provided real-time data. Hellcat models had additional cooling features accessible through the touchscreen.

The 2023 MINI Cooper included eight airbags, rear parking sensors, and forward-collision warning. However, it lacked some advanced safety features found in other cars. The NHTSA had not rated the 2023 model, but the IIHS gave the structurally identical 2014 model high ratings in most crash tests.

The 2023 Dodge Charger performed well in NHTSA crash tests, receiving four out of five stars overall. It lacked standard advanced safety assists, with features like forward-collision warning and adaptive cruise control optional on certain models. The IIHS ratings were based on an older Chrysler 300 model.