2019 MINI Cooper vs 2019 Honda Civic

The 2019 MINI Cooper retained its iconic charm but had grown in size and sophistication compared to its early 2000s predecessor. While it still promised fun with its almost non-existent front and rear overhangs, floating roof, and classic Mini styling, the latest model's design elements, such as oversized headlights and taillights, and a longer front overhang, detracted from its previous simple elegance. Inside, the once beloved pie-plate-size speedometer was replaced by a rectangular infotainment screen, and while toggle switches and motorcycle-style gauges remained, the added technology introduced complexity that some found unnecessary.

In contrast, the 2019 Honda Civic brought a more upscale style to the compact car segment. With a new gloss-black upper grille, revised lower bumper, and larger 18-inch wheels, the Civic's design was graceful and balanced. The sedan's silhouette was compared to an Audi A7, and the wraparound LED lights added a unique touch. The Touring trim featured chrome door handles and LED headlights that resembled tiny crystals. The Civic Hatchback and Coupe offered additional sporty and aggressive styling options, making the Civic a standout in traffic.

The 2019 MINI Cooper John Cooper Works (JCW) version was the pinnacle of performance for the MINI lineup. It featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, allowing it to accelerate to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds with the optional 6-speed automatic transmission. The manual gearbox, while slightly slower at 6.1 seconds, offered a more engaging driving experience. The JCW Pro Exhaust Valve added a thrilling auditory experience, especially in Sport mode. However, the car's Pirelli Cinturato P7 all-season tires squealed in sharp corners, and torque steer was an occasional issue. The bigger brakes were effective but sometimes lacked response during aggressive driving.

The 2019 Honda Civic offered a range of engines, starting with a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque in the LX and Sport trims. The EX and above trims featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 with 174 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. The hatchback models exclusively used the turbo engine, with the Sport trim making 180 horsepower. The Si and Type R models took performance to another level, with the Si producing 205 horsepower and the Type R delivering a staggering 306 horsepower. The Civic's manual transmissions were praised for their feel, while the CVT was noted for its smoothness and responsiveness. The Civic's handling, steering feel, and suspension setup made it a joy to drive, even with all-season tires.

The 2019 MINI Cooper, even in its 2-door hardtop form, offered surprising utility. The back seat could accommodate passengers if the front seats were adjusted, and the 8.7-cubic-foot trunk could hold a full-size suitcase and a backpack. However, the Cooper was best used as a 2-seater with a large 34-cubic-foot trunk. The front seats provided a range of adjustments, and the John Cooper Works version featured significant side bolsters and manual thigh-support extensions. The controls, while stylish, sometimes sacrificed functionality for form, with chrome toggle switches and unconventional door release handles.

The 2019 Honda Civic's interior was user-friendly, with a touchscreen that included a volume knob and shortcut buttons, addressing previous complaints. The three-spoke steering wheel controlled the central display, and analog gauges flanked the screen. The rear seat offered ample head- and legroom, with optional heated outboard seats. Cargo space was generous, with the sedan offering 15.1 cubic feet (14.7 in Touring trim), the coupe 11.9 to 12.1 cubic feet, and the hatchback up to 25.7 cubic feet, expandable to 46.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The center console provided ample storage, and visibility was good in all directions.

The 2019 MINI Cooper's top-level infotainment system, based on BMW iDrive technology, featured an 8.8-inch display screen, navigation, and MINI Connected Services. It offered voice control, a touchscreen, and physical controls, but the latter were difficult to access. The system sometimes behaved unpredictably, and the virtual buttons were too small. Wireless charging and Apple CarPlay were available, but Android Auto was not. The Harman Kardon audio system impressed with its sound quality, and the head-up display provided useful information. The Parking Assistant was helpful for protecting the car's bulging wheel spokes.

The 2019 Honda Civic's infotainment system, while good in 2016, felt dated compared to newer Honda models. The Garmin-based navigation was a standout, with better graphics and accurate voice input. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were redeeming features, and the 450-watt, 10-speaker stereo on the Touring trim was improved. Honda's LaneWatch provided a live feed of the right-side blind spot, enhancing safety.

The 2019 MINI Cooper offered a limited set of safety systems, including eight airbags, a reversing camera, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam headlights, and a speed-limit information system. Adaptive cruise control was available with the Driver Assistance Package. However, it lacked blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The IIHS rated it a Top Safety Pick in 2018, but it lost that rating in 2019. The NHTSA gave it a 4-star overall rating, with a 3-star rating for rear seat occupant protection in a side-impact collision.

The 2019 Honda Civic came standard with Honda Sensing on all trims except the Si and Type R. This included forward-collision alert with emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The IIHS rated the Civic with top Good ratings in all six crash tests and Superior for crash-prevention features. The NHTSA awarded the 2019 Civic five stars in all categories, except for four stars for the coupe's passenger-side frontal crash rating.