2021 MINI Cooper vs 2020 Nissan Altima

The 2020 Nissan Altima, available in S, SR, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, showcased a sleek design with the Platinum variant featuring a turbocharged engine, premium paint, and additional accessories. Priced at $37,825, it boasted 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels, enhancing its visual appeal. Despite a few design quirks, such as misaligned door handles and a body-color diffuser panel, the Altima's interior was praised for its ergonomic simplicity, high-mounted touchscreen infotainment system, and quality materials, albeit limited to black or gray color schemes.

In contrast, the 2021 MINI Cooper stood out with its iconic rounded shape, compact dimensions, and extensive customization options, including unique roof graphics like the Union Jack flag. The interior continued the distinctive design language with circular elements and a funky infotainment touchscreen. While the cabin quality was high, space was a significant drawback, especially in the rear seats, which were more suitable for cargo than passengers. The front seats offered decent comfort, but the overall space was limited, making it less practical for taller drivers.

The 2020 Nissan Altima primarily featured a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing up to 188 horsepower, paired with a CVT and available in both FWD and AWD. The test model, however, came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder VC-Turbo engine, delivering 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. This engine, exclusive to the SR and Platinum trims, provided a balance of power and efficiency, achieving 26.2 mpg in real-world testing. The Altima's ride and handling were enhanced by features like Active Ride Control and Intelligent Trace Control, making it a satisfying drive across various terrains.

The 2021 MINI Cooper offered four powertrain options: a 134-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder for the base model, a 189-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder for the Cooper S, a 228-hp turbo-four for the John Cooper Works (JCW), and a 301-hp turbo-four for the JCW GP. All models were FWD, with manual and automatic transmission options varying by trim. The MINI's small size contributed to its energetic feel, though the turbo-four engines provided noticeably better performance, especially at highway speeds. The JCW GP model, in particular, offered impressive acceleration. However, the Cooper's stiff ride could be uncomfortable on long drives, despite its agility and engaging handling.

The 2020 Nissan Altima's seats, inspired by NASA, aimed to provide superior comfort, though the lack of a front passenger seat height adjuster and ventilated front seats was a drawback. The Altima offered heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a remote engine starter for cold climates, but lacked heated rear seats. Interior storage was ample, though it missed a wireless charging pad. The trunk provided 15.4 cubic feet of space, with useful features like grocery bag hooks and an interior grab handle.

The 2021 MINI Cooper's interior was more suited for cargo than passengers, with the rear seats being particularly cramped. The front seats were comfortable with adequate head and legroom for average adults, though taller drivers might struggle with knee space. Interior storage was limited, with small center console and door pockets. The Cooper Hatchback offered decent cargo space with foldable rear seats, while the Convertible had minimal usable space in the back.

The 2020 Nissan Altima featured an 8-inch infotainment system with physical and virtual buttons for easy use. Standard features included Bluetooth, Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with options for satellite radio, navigation, a Bose audio system, and NissanConnect Services. The connected services offered various plans, including remote access and emergency notifications. However, the voice recognition system required specific commands for optimal use.

The 2021 MINI Cooper's base model came with a 6.5-inch screen, upgradeable to an 8.8-inch unit with additional features like SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and a Harman Kardon sound system. While MINI included physical controls for ease of use, it lacked Android Auto. The infotainment system, borrowed from BMW, included an iDrive controller, though its placement made it difficult to use, leading many to prefer the touchscreen interface.

The 2020 Nissan Altima came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, including forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims added features like pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, and lane departure warning. Additional safety systems included a driver monitoring system, road-sign recognition, and ProPilot Assist, though the latter was found to be unreliable. The Altima received a 5-star rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from IIHS.

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