2020 BMW 3 Series vs 2020 MINI Cooper

The 2020 BMW 3 Series evoked memories of majestic marine life, with its lidded headlights, bulging curved hood, wide lower air intakes, and oversize grille giving it an aquatic appearance. Despite its high price, starting at $40,750 for a base 330i and rising to $56,000 for the M340i with xDrive, the car was praised for its driving experience, especially the M340i trim. The interior offered a variety of colors and materials, with the test car featuring off-white Ivory leather contrasting with a black cabin and Tanzanite Blue exterior paint. The interior quality was noted to be high, making the price more palatable.

The 2020 MINI Cooper stood out with its unique styling, featuring wide-eyed LED headlights, a grinning front grille, vibrant color options, and Union Jack taillights. Initially available as a two-door hardtop, the Cooper evolved to include a convertible variant, a four-door body style, and an all-electric SE trim. The SE trim, tested for this review, mimicked the design of the Cooper S but sat slightly higher to accommodate the battery cells. Inside, the design was dominated by circles, with circular speakers, air vents, door handles, and a massive circular housing for the touchscreen infotainment system. The interior delivered a premium feel, unmatched in cars of its size.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series addressed previous criticisms of its driving dynamics with significant structural and suspension changes, including greater component rigidity and reduced unsprung mass. The M340i trim featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine producing 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The car's handling was enhanced by variable sport steering, a rear M Sport differential, and M Sport brakes. The M340i xDrive could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. Despite the lack of a manual transmission, the automatic transmission and paddle shifters were praised for their performance.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE excelled in performance with its 181-horsepower electric motor and 199 pound-feet of torque, powered by a 32.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The SE's performance was comparable to the Cooper S's 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, which generated 189 hp and 207 lb-ft. The SE's regenerative braking system was aggressive, allowing for one-pedal driving. Despite weighing 300 pounds more than the Cooper S, the SE maintained a low center of gravity, providing a planted feel in corners. The SE used a single-speed gearbox, while gas-powered Coopers employed either a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission or an eight-speed automatic in the John Cooper Works trim.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series offered simple and supportive front seats, equipped with high-quality leather, front-seat heaters, and a heated steering wheel. Rear-seat entry and exit were awkward, but once inside, the seats provided terrific support. The car's controls were somewhat cryptic, but the widescreen infotainment system and natural voice recognition system were praised. Storage space was generous, with a covered bin containing an optional wireless smartphone charger. The trunk space measured 17 cubic feet, though it appeared smaller than a typical family sedan's.

The 2020 MINI Cooper hatchback was not ideal for carpooling or road trips, with limited rear-seat space best suited for children. The two-door Cooper offered 8.7 cubic feet of cargo space, while the four-door variant provided 13.1 cubic feet. The Convertible had only 5.7 cubic feet. Dropping the rear seats in the SE trim provided a maximum of 25.8 cubic feet. Despite limited space, the Cooper's interior was thoughtfully designed, with two-zone automatic air conditioning, chrome toggle switches, and high-quality materials.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series featured the latest version of the iDrive infotainment system, with a touchscreen display, natural voice recognition, and gesture control. The system was easy to use, with intuitive menu pathways. Gesture control allowed for volume adjustment and radio station changes with simple hand movements. The "Hey, BMW" voice recognition system was excellent, responding to natural commands. The head-up display was visible even with polarized sunglasses.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE had a unique "eDrive" driver-information display connected to the steering wheel, displaying vehicle speed, time, mileage, remaining charge, and drive mode. The 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display included Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, and Apple CarPlay. The SE Iconic trim featured an 8.8-inch screen, a wireless charging pad, and a head-up display.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series required two Driving Assistance option packages for the latest advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). While the systems were accurate, they lacked smoothness. The lane-keeping assist system was abrupt, reminding drivers to stay attentive. The 3 Series received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) when equipped with adaptive full LED headlights.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE lacked advanced safety features, with only front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera system included in the Iconic package. Forward-collision warning was standard, but automatic emergency braking was unavailable. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not rated the MINI Cooper, but the IIHS gave it top marks, earning "Good" scores in all crash tests.