2022 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Honda Civic

When it came to looks and aesthetics, both the 2022 Honda Civic and the 2022 MINI Cooper took distinctive design paths that appealed to different tastes.

The 2022 Honda Civic was available in familiar LX, Sport, EX, and Touring trims, with prices starting at $21,700 for the LX and going up to $28,300 for the Touring trim, not including a $995 destination charge. Additionally, a new five-door hatchback variant was set to return later in the year. The primary evaluation vehicle, a Civic Touring in Morning Mist Blue with an extra cost of $395, had an estimated price of $29,690, including destination charges. Another model, the Civic Sport, with added Platinum White Pearl paint and the Honda Performance Development (HPD) appearance package, was priced around $25,880.

The redesigned 2022 Civic had a more conservative and plain appearance compared to its predecessor, drawing visual cues from the larger Accord sedan. For those who appreciated a more mature and refined look, this 11th-generation Civic stood out, albeit some fans of the previous model found it a tad boring. Inside, Honda returned to a minimalistic design, featuring a span of metal honeycomb mesh running the width of the dashboard, which elegantly hid the air vents. Interior materials, especially in the Touring trim, reflected a new maturity not seen in previous generations.

In contrast, the 2022 MINI Cooper adhered to its quirky and unique design ethos while embracing modernity. The 2022 model lineup included the Hardtop (two-door and four-door), Convertible, Clubman, and Countryman, each with various engine configurations. The MINI’s refreshed look for 2022 included new bumpers, a grille, standard LED headlights, Union Jack taillights, side scuttle designs, and wheel arch trims. Fresh paint colors such as Island Blue, Rooftop Grey, and Zesty Yellow were also available. The Piano Black Exterior treatment extended to the door handles, fuel lid, and exhaust outlets for a more cohesive look.

Inside, the MINI Convertible fused retro and modern design elements. Despite the ability to personalize through various colors and materials, the design prioritized form over function, potentially resulting in a cluttered appearance based on the customization choices. The test model, a Cooper S Sidewalk Edition with exclusive Deep Laguna Metallic paint and a $7,000 package, had a price of just under $40,000. Pricing for the Convertible ranged from $27,900 to $38,900, potentially exceeding $46,000 with full upgrades. While the styling had its charms, the car’s proportions seemed awkward to some, exacerbated by the new grille.

Performance-wise, both the 2022 Honda Civic and the 2022 MINI Cooper offered distinct driving experiences and powertrains to cater to their target audiences.

The 2022 Honda Civic had two improved engine options. The base engine, standard in LX and Sport trims, was a 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. For those seeking more power, the EX and Touring trims featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, with torque available from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that included new Step Shift programming to mimic the feel of traditional automatic transmissions. Sport and Touring trims also had a Sport mode for enhanced responsiveness. Combined with improved structural rigidity, suspension tuning, and steering feel, the new Civic offered a fun-to-drive experience without sacrificing ride quality. However, on a 95-mile driving loop, the Civic Touring returned 30.4 mpg, falling short of the EPA’s 34 mpg estimate.

The 2022 MINI Cooper featured different engine choices depending on the model. The base 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine produced 134 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of over eight seconds. The Cooper S variant had a more potent turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, making 189 horsepower and 206 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in under seven seconds. JCW models further increased the thrill with 235 horsepower and 228 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in just over six seconds. Both engines offered a choice between a six-speed manual and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Despite lacking summer performance tires and adaptive-damping suspension, the test model provided a compliant ride with the Sidewalk Edition package. However, the MINI’s steering response and brake pedal feel were inconsistent, reducing driving satisfaction on winding roads. Overall, the MINI’s fuel economy was better than expected, averaging 27.1 mpg against an EPA estimate of 26 mpg.

Inside, the 2022 Honda Civic and the 2022 MINI Cooper differed significantly in terms of interior space and practicality.

The 2022 Honda Civic’s redesigned front seats, particularly in the leather-lined Touring trim, offered excellent support. The driver’s seat was power-adjustable and heated but not ventilated. While the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, it compensated with excellent thigh support. The rear seats provided generous legroom, making entry and exit easier, though the backrest angle might be too reclined for some. The Civic excelled in trunk space, offering 14.8 cubic feet in most trims, reduced slightly to 14.4 cubic feet in the Touring trim due to the premium sound system components. Despite the new center console’s reduced storage space, the trunk could accommodate full-size luggage and featured a handy split-folding backseat for added utility.

Conversely, the MINI Convertible prioritized style over practicality. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, but the rear seats were practically unusable, even for children, making the space more suitable for extra luggage. The trunk offered only 5.2 cubic feet, accessible through a bottom-hinged lid similar to a pickup truck’s tailgate. In-cabin storage was scarce, partly due to the placement of the infotainment system controls on the center console, which consumed valuable space. For those needing more passenger and cargo room, other MINI models like the Hardtop 4 Door, Clubman, and Countryman were better suited.

Technologically, the 2022 Honda Civic and the 2022 MINI Cooper provided advanced infotainment and driver assistance features with varying degrees of sophistication.

The 2022 Honda Civic boasted digital instrumentation across all trims, with the Touring trim featuring a larger 10-inch display. This sophisticated display offered customization, driving environment data, and a Vehicle Activity display that visually conveyed the status of the car’s lights and indicators—a crucial feature for nighttime visibility. The standard infotainment setup included a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, easily operable through volume and tuning knobs. The higher-spec Touring trim had a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and a superior 12-speaker Bose sound system, delivering an impressive audio experience.

Meanwhile, the 2022 MINI Cooper introduced a new MINI Connected infotainment system with an 8.8-inch touchscreen framed by the brand’s signature LED interior ring. The system offered features such as Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa integration, and SiriusXM satellite radio. While Android Auto was unavailable, other connected services based on BMW’s iDrive technology were included. The system allowed drivers to swipe between widgets for easy access to various data panels. A head-up display was also available, and the optional Harman Kardon sound system overcame ambient noise even at higher speeds, providing decent audio quality.

Safety features and equipment were crucial considerations for both the 2022 Honda Civic and the 2022 MINI Cooper.

The 2022 Honda Civic came equipped with an enhanced Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance technologies. Standard features included Traffic Jam Assist integrated into adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Lane Keeping Assist. The new wide-view front camera and ultrasonic sonar sensors improved the smoothness and accuracy of these systems. The Civic EX and Touring trims added blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert, addressing visibility issues from previous models. The modernized vehicle structure and redesigned airbags aimed to provide better protection in collisions.

For the 2022 MINI Convertible, the increase in size contributed to occupant safety. However, official crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS were unavailable. Still, the car offered standard Driving Assistant technology, including forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning. Drivers could also opt for adaptive cruise control with an automatic transmission, which could bring the car to a full stop. Despite these features, the absence of a blind-spot monitoring system and the convertible’s visibility challenges remained concerns.