2021 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback

The 2021 MINI Cooper was renowned for its iconic styling, characterized by its rounded shape and compact dimensions, which made it stand out in the subcompact car market. It offered a wide range of customization options, including various exterior colors and roof graphics like the Union Jack flag. The interior continued the unique design language with circular motifs throughout the seats, dash, and center stack, featuring a funky infotainment touchscreen encased in a circular light ring. Despite its high-quality feel, the MINI Cooper's cabin was notably cramped, with back seats more suitable for storage than passengers.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback aimed to capture the remaining hatchback market with its redesigned model. Built in Indiana, it shared a front design with the Civic sedan but differed from the front doors back, offering a unique grille and wheel designs. The Civic hatchback was praised for its modern appearance, especially in the Sport Touring trim, which included sophisticated digital instrumentation and infotainment displays. However, it still suffered from a design flaw known as "stubby butt syndrome," where the visual weight was concentrated over the front wheels. The interior was comfortable, with a focus on practicality, though some passengers noted the lack of rear air conditioning vents.

The 2021 MINI Cooper offered four powertrain options, starting with a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine producing 134 horsepower in the base model. The Cooper S featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 189 hp, while the John Cooper Works (JCW) and JCW GP models boasted 228 hp and 301 hp, respectively. All models were front-wheel drive, with manual and automatic transmission options. The MINI Cooper was known for its agile handling and energetic performance, though it had a stiff ride that could be uncomfortable on long journeys. Fuel economy varied, with the most efficient model achieving 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower in the LX and Sport trims, while the EX-L and Sport Touring trims featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine with 180 hp. The Civic hatchback was front-wheel drive, with a choice of CVT or six-speed manual transmission in certain trims. The turbocharged engine provided accessible torque, making the Civic hatchback enjoyable to drive. The suspension was firm yet comfortable, and the steering and brakes were responsive. Fuel economy was impressive, with the Sport Touring trim achieving 33 mpg combined with the CVT and 31 mpg with the manual transmission.

The 2021 MINI Cooper's interior was a nod to its heritage, with the rear seat more suited for cargo than passengers. The front seats were comfortable, offering decent head and legroom, though taller drivers might struggle with knee placement due to the dash design. Interior storage was limited, with small center console and door pockets. The hatchback provided decent cargo space, with foldable back seats for additional storage, while the convertible model had minimal cargo capacity.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback excelled in functionality, with a spacious trunk measuring 24.5 cubic feet and a two-piece cargo shade. The back seat featured a 60/40-split folding design, though the load floor was not flat. All seating positions were comfortable, with sufficient legroom, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The driver enjoyed an eight-way power-adjustable seat, and the car featured automatic climate control, with dual-zone in higher trims. The Civic hatchback offered a practical and comfortable interior, though some passengers noted the absence of rear air conditioning vents.

The 2021 MINI Cooper was not generous with standard features, offering a 6.5-inch screen with an optional 8.8-inch unit that included Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM. Optional features included a Harman Kardon sound system and LED headlights. The MINI Cooper lacked Android Auto, relying on Bluetooth for connectivity. The infotainment system used BMW's software, with a physical iDrive controller that was difficult to access due to tight space.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback featured a new infotainment system, with a 7-inch touchscreen in lower trims and a 9-inch display in the Sport Touring trim. The top-tier system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, wireless charging, navigation, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. Physical knobs for sound controls improved usability, and a shelf below the screen provided stability for touchscreen use. The Civic's infotainment system was superior to previous models, with effective voice recognition and digital instrumentation.

The 2021 MINI Cooper did not receive a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, though it scored "Good" in crash tests. Headlight ratings were "Acceptable" or "Poor," and the LATCH system was rated "Marginal." Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and rear parking sensors, with additional features available as options.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback came equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-departure warning. New features included low-speed following and Traffic Jam Assist, though these were only available with the CVT. The Civic hatchback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, thanks to its advanced safety engineering and effective driver aids. However, some features like blind-spot warning were limited to higher trims.