2021 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Volkswagen Passat

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 wheel and trim upgrades available depending on the model. Inside, the MINI Cooper continued its unique design language with circular shapes dominating the seats, dash, and center stack. The infotainment touchscreen was mounted inside a circular light ring, and the cabin, though high quality, lacked space, making the back seats more suitable for packages than passengers.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat, particularly the Limited Edition, was introduced to commemorate the model's end. Priced at $31,570, only 1,973 units were produced, featuring exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels, black mirror caps, and special badges. The Limited Edition was available in unique Racing Green paint, among other colors. Inside, the Passat boasted Mauro Brown leather upholstery, fake wood trim, and special seat tags. Despite its age, the Passat's design aged well, with a freshening in 2020 extending its shelf life. However, the interior was a mix of inexpensive plastics and outdated technologies, such as a 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a small driver information display. The cabin, though, displayed modernity with integrated dashboard air vents and metallic detailing, adding a touch of European sobriety.

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 for the Cooper and Cooper S, and a seven-speed automatic available. The JCW GP came with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The MINI felt spritely and energetic, with the turbocharged four-cylinder engines providing noticeable power, especially at highway speeds. The JCW GP model offered the best acceleration. 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 Volkswagen Passat featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels, with no all-wheel drive option. The Passat's turbo engine provided adequate power for commuting and highway cruising, but lacked immediate power for passing. Switching to Sport mode made the Passat feel more responsive without significantly affecting fuel efficiency. The Passat achieved 30.7 mpg on a mountainous test loop, exceeding the EPA's 28 mpg combined rating. With an 18.5-gallon fuel tank, the Passat could travel over 500 miles between refueling. The Passat prioritized ride quality, feeling like it floated down the road, though it could feel jittery on city streets. The brake pedal response was inconsistent, but the car was quiet on the highway. On twisty roads, the Passat exhibited traditional German handling traits, making it enjoyable to drive.

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, though taller drivers might struggle with knee placement due to the dash shape. Interior storage was tight, with a small center console and door pockets. The Cooper Hatchbacks offered decent cargo space with foldable back seats, while Convertible models had limited usable space.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat's hallmark was its spacious cabin, accommodating five adults comfortably. The Limited Edition's front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, but lacked separate bottom cushion angle adjustment, affecting comfort. The back seat provided excellent legroom and support, with air conditioning vents and USB ports. Storage space was good, though door-panel bins were lined with hard plastic. The Passat's trunk offered 15.9 cubic feet of space, with no underfloor trays or side bins, requiring secure placement of items.

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 offering SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and more. Optional features included a Harman Kardon sound system, automatic climate controls, and LED headlights. MINI included more physical controls, improving usability, but did not offer Android Auto, leaving many users reliant on Bluetooth. The infotainment system used BMW's software, with a physical iDrive controller that was difficult to reach due to the tight space.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat's infotainment system featured a 6.3-inch screen with standard App-Connect, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Bluetooth. Car-Net connected services offered additional features, including a WiFi hotspot. The R-Line and Limited Edition added HD Radio, navigation, and a Fender premium audio system. The voice recognition system worked for simple commands but struggled with complex ones. The Fender audio system was a standout feature, offering excellent clarity and range.

The 2021 MINI Cooper missed out on 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 was rated "Marginal." 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, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat's safety features lagged behind more modern VW models. The base SE included standard forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control. Car-Net connected services offered additional safety features. The R-Line added automatic high-beam headlights, while the Limited Edition included adaptive headlights, parking sensors, and a park-assist system. The IIHS rated the Passat's headlights "Good" and crash tests "Good," but the NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating, with a three-star rating for frontal-impact protection.