2022 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Kia Forte

The 2022 MINI Cooper continued to charm with its retro-modern design, staying true to its roots while embracing contemporary updates. The refreshed model featured restyled bumpers, a new grille, standard LED headlights, and the iconic Union Jack taillights. New paint colors and wheel designs added to its appeal, and the Piano Black Exterior treatment extended to various exterior elements. Inside, the MINI Convertible maintained its quirky personality with a blend of retro aesthetics and modern technology, including a new steering wheel and an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. However, the car's proportions and grille design remained polarizing, and the emphasis on form over function resulted in a cluttered interior.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Forte offered a more conventional yet sporty design, especially in the GT trim. The Forte GT featured a new grille, headlights, and bumpers, along with red-accent detailing, a gloss black lip spoiler, and 18-inch wheels. The interior retained a sporty look with analog gauges, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and polished metal accents. The Forte GT's cabin was simple yet functional, with a 4.2-inch driver information display and improved infotainment systems. The GT2 Package added premium features like a power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power sunroof, enhancing comfort and convenience.

The 2022 MINI Cooper offered a range of engines, starting with a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine producing 134 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. This engine took over eight seconds to reach 60 mph. For more spirited driving, the Cooper S featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 189 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque, achieving 60 mph in under seven seconds. The JCW models provided even more excitement with a tuned version of the Cooper S engine, delivering 235 hp and 228 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in just over six seconds. The MINI Convertible was front-wheel drive, with a choice between a six-speed manual and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Despite its sporty nature, the MINI's steering response and brake pedal feel were disappointing, and the tires struggled with aggressive cornering.

The 2022 Kia Forte GT, on the other hand, offered a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Forte GT featured Smart, Normal, and Sport driving modes, along with a sport-tuned suspension and larger 18-inch alloy wheels. The car provided effortless acceleration and a good blend of ride and handling characteristics. However, the brakes were not up to the task of demanding mountain descents, and the engine noise at highway speeds was noticeable. Despite these flaws, the Forte GT was a fun and practical daily driver, offering a zippy commute and comfortable road trips.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible prioritized form over function, with comfortable front seats but essentially useless rear seats. The trunk offered just 5.2 cubic feet of space, accessible through a bottom-hinged lid. Interior storage was limited, and the infotainment system's controls were hard to reach. While the MINI's small size was expected, it was not ideal for those needing more passenger and cargo space. Other MINI models like the Hardtop 4 Door, Clubman, and Countryman offered better practicality but lacked the Convertible's open-top experience.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Forte GT excelled in practicality. The GT2 Package added numerous features, including a power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power sunroof. The Forte's height-adjustable front passenger seat ensured proper leg support, and the rear seat room was impressive for a compact car. The trunk offered 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space, the largest in its segment, with the rear seats folding down to expand capacity. The Forte GT's interior was comfortable and functional, making it a great choice for families and road trips.

The 2022 MINI Cooper introduced a new MINI Connected infotainment system with an 8.8-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa integration, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The system featured LED lighting with 12 colors and BMW-based connected services. A head-up display and a Harman Kardon premium sound system were available. The digital instrument cluster and infotainment screens performed well, even in a convertible, and the Harman Kardon sound system impressed with its quality.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered new Technology option packages, adding infotainment and safety systems. The FE and LXS trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GT-Line and GT trims had a 10.25-inch touchscreen with more features but required a cable for smartphone connectivity. The Forte GT included wireless smartphone charging and an available Harman Kardon premium sound system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the voice recognition capabilities were hit-and-miss. The Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system was a standout feature, notifying drivers when traffic ahead started moving.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible benefited from its increased size, offering better protection in collisions. However, it lacked crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS. The MINI Convertible came with standard Driving Assistant technology, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Adaptive cruise control was available, but blind-spot monitoring and a digital rearview mirror were not.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered more comprehensive safety features. Standard equipment included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver monitoring system. The GT-Line and GT trims added active blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Warning. Optional safety features included cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, and Highway Driving Assist. The IIHS gave the Forte high marks for crashworthiness and driving assist systems, while NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall rating.