2020 Lexus ES vs 2021 MINI Cooper

The 2020 Lexus ES underwent a significant transformation from its earlier iterations, which were often criticized for being "boring." By 2020, Lexus had introduced a more aggressive design, featuring a large spindle grille that had grown even larger since its 2016 debut. This grille, which initially seemed out of place, now blended well with the car's larger proportions. The rear of the ES was more subdued, with thin taillamps and a pronounced kink at the back of the side windows, adding a touch of visual interest to this long, low sedan.

Inside, the ES offered a luxurious cabin that seamlessly integrated modern technology with soft-touch materials. The dashboard was dominated by a large infotainment screen, which was elegantly incorporated into the design. The interior was often compared favorably to those of other luxury sedans, with only Mercedes-Benz being considered superior. The 2020 ES came in several trims, including the base 350 FWD, Luxury, Ultra Luxury, and F Sport, each offering a range of standard and optional features to enhance comfort and convenience.

The 2021 MINI Cooper, on the other hand, was instantly recognizable with its iconic rounded shape and compact dimensions. MINI offered a wide variety of customization options, including exterior colors, roof graphics, and wheel upgrades. The car's unique styling extended to the interior, where circular design elements dominated the seats, dash, and center stack. The infotainment touchscreen was mounted inside a circular light ring, adding to the car's quirky charm. While the cabin was high-quality, it was notably cramped, especially in the rear seats, which were best used for cargo rather than passengers.

The 2020 Lexus ES was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Lexus claimed a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 131 mph. While not a high-performance machine, the ES provided confident acceleration and smooth highway driving. The ride was comfortable and refined, thanks to the Dynamic Control Shocks, with an optional Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) available on the F Sport trim. The AVS allowed for adjustable dampers and additional drive modes, including Sport+ for a more engaging driving experience.

The 2021 MINI Cooper offered four powertrain options. The base model featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with 134 horsepower. The Cooper S had a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 189 hp, the John Cooper Works (JCW) had a 228-hp turbo-four, and the John Cooper Works GP boasted a 301-hp turbo-four. All models were front-wheel drive, with a six-speed manual standard on the Cooper and Cooper S, and a seven-speed automatic available as an option. The JCW GP came with an eight-speed automatic. The MINI's small size made it feel spritely and energetic, though the ride could be stiff and twitchy at higher speeds. Fuel economy varied, with the most efficient model being the Convertible at 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2020 Lexus ES featured a spacious cabin with ample head- and legroom in both rows. The front seats could be adjusted to provide plenty of legroom for rear-seat passengers, and the rear-seat headroom was improved with the 2019 redesign. The front doors had deep pockets, and the center console offered multiple storage options. The ES had 16.7 cubic feet of trunk space, which was mid-pack for the midsize luxury segment. However, the rear seats did not fold down, limiting the ability to carry larger items.

The 2021 MINI Cooper's interior was more suited for cargo than passengers, especially in the rear seats. The front seats were comfortable, but taller drivers might find the dash shape problematic for knee placement. Interior storage was limited, with small center console storage and door pockets. The Cooper Hatchbacks offered decent cargo space with the back seats folded down, while the Convertible models had a small cargo hold under the folding top compartment.

The 2020 Lexus ES featured the Lexus Remote Touch system, which used a touch-sensitive pad to control the standard 8-inch or available 12.3-inch display. While not a touchscreen, the Remote Touch pad was intuitive once presets were set. The system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the CarPlay screen taking up the entire display. The ES also offered a 10-speaker premium audio system, with an optional 17-speaker Mark Levinson stereo system and a head-up display.

The 2021 MINI Cooper came with a base 6.5-inch screen, with an optional 8.8-inch unit that included SiriusXM satellite radio and Apple CarPlay. Optional features included a Harman Kardon sound system, automatic climate controls, and LED headlights. MINI used BMW's infotainment software, which included a physical iDrive controller. However, the tight space between the front seats made it difficult to use, and the car did not offer Android Auto.

The 2020 Lexus ES came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which included forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, dynamic radar cruise control, and automatic high beams. The system also featured pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, and lane-tracing assist for limited semi-autonomous driving. The ES also had a full array of airbags, traction control, stability control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

The 2021 MINI Cooper did not receive a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, scoring "Good" in crash tests but "Acceptable" or "Poor" for headlights. The front crash prevention systems earned "Advanced" scores, and the LATCH system received a "Marginal" rating. The NHTSA had not rated the 2021 model. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and rear parking sensors, with optional features like front parking sensors, parking assistance, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning.