2021 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Lexus ES

The 2021 MINI Cooper carried an iconic styling that was immediately recognizable, much like the Jeep Wrangler. Its rounded shape, compact dimensions, and a wide variety of color choices set it apart in the subcompact car market. MINI offered several customization options for the exterior, including graphics for the roof and hidden Easter eggs like Union Jack taillights. Despite its small size, the MINI Cooper was larger than the original Mini, with available wheel and trim upgrades depending on the model. Inside, the MINI Cooper continued its unique design language with plenty of circles and rounded shapes, including a funky infotainment touchscreen design. The cabin was generally high quality but lacked space, making the back seats more suitable for packages than passengers.

The 2022 Lexus ES had been a staple in the Lexus lineup since its debut in 1990. Over seven generations, it evolved into a sophisticated sedan, though it struggled to attract younger buyers. The latest generation, launched in 2018, used the Global Architecture-K (GA-K) platform, supporting a front-engine, front-wheel drive layout with optional all-wheel drive. The ES featured elegant proportions, a sleek roofline, and the distinctive Lexus "spindle" grille. It came standard with 17-inch wheels, with 18-inch and 19-inch options available. Inside, the ES had a layered, asymmetrical dashboard with bold two-tone leather seating in the F Sport model. The interior was precisely assembled, but the design felt cluttered and dated.

The 2021 MINI Cooper offered four powertrain options. The base model had a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with 134 horsepower. The Cooper S featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 189 hp, while the John Cooper Works (JCW) had a 228-hp turbo-four. The John Cooper Works GP boasted a 301-hp turbo-four. All models were front-wheel drive, with a six-speed manual standard for the Cooper and Cooper S, and a seven-speed automatic available. The JCW GP had an eight-speed automatic transmission. The MINI felt spritely and energetic, with the turbocharged four-cylinder engines providing noticeable power at highway speeds. The JCW GP offered the best acceleration, feeling like a proper rocket ship. However, all models had a somewhat stiff ride, making long drives tiresome. The most efficient MINI Cooper was the Convertible, delivering 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2022 Lexus ES came in three models, each with distinct powertrains. The ES 250 AWD had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, achieving 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway/28 mpg combined. It could go from 0-60 mph in 8.6 seconds. The ES 350 featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 307 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds and achieving 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway/26 mpg combined. The ES 300h hybrid combined a 176-hp four-cylinder engine with a 39-hp electric motor for a net 215 hp, achieving 43 mpg city/44 mpg highway/44 mpg combined. The ES 250 AWD felt slow for a luxury sedan, but the ES 350's V6 offered more engaging performance. The ES 300h excelled in fuel economy, though its performance was modest.

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

The 2022 Lexus ES offered 13.9 cubic feet of trunk space, which remained the same for the hybrid ES 300h. A pass-through behind the center armrest allowed for long slim cargo, and the second row in the ES 250 and ES 350 folded flat for additional storage. The ES had a lower center of gravity and ground clearance than the Lexus RX, contributing to better handling and fuel economy. Inside, the ES had ample storage with big bottle pockets, cupholders, and a spacious center console. The dashboard layout was functional, with a prominent volume knob for the audio system.

The 2021 MINI Cooper was not generous with standard features. The base screen was a 6.5-inch unit, 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 included more physical controls, improving the technology experience, but did not offer Android Auto. The infotainment system used BMW's software with a physical iDrive controller, which was difficult to reach and use due to the tight space.

The 2022 Lexus ES had an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa+Lexus compatibility. Standard features included a 10-speaker Pioneer sound system, Bluetooth, a CD player, HD radio, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Upper trim levels had a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Mark Levinson 17-speaker audio, and navigation. The ES used a center console touchpad interface, which was challenging to use on rough roads. Upper trim levels also had a 10-inch head-up display and a Panoramic View Monitor with Intuitive Parking Assist.

The 2021 MINI Cooper missed out on a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, scoring top "Good" ratings in crash tests but "Acceptable" or "Poor" ratings for headlights. The standard front crash prevention systems earned "Advanced" scores, and the LATCH system earned a "Marginal" rating. The NHTSA had not rated the 2021 MINI Cooper. Standard driver-assistance features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and rear parking sensors. Optional features included front parking sensors, a parking assistance system, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning.

The 2022 Lexus ES ranked highly in safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, which had a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, road-sign assist, Enhanced Lane-Tracing Assist, adaptive cruise control, and Intelligent High Beam Control. Additional standard features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, 10 airbags, and three years of Lexus Enform Safety Connect service.