2022 MINI Cooper vs 2023 Honda Accord

The 2022 MINI Cooper retained much of its original charm while incorporating modern updates. The refreshed model featured restyled bumpers, a new grille, standard LED headlights, and reworked details like side scuttle designs and wheel arch trim. New paint colors and wheel designs were also introduced. Inside, the MINI Convertible offered a retro feel with modern technology, including a new steering wheel and an 8.8-inch touchscreen display. However, the car's design emphasized form over function, resulting in a cluttered interior and awkward proportions.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda Accord adopted a more conservative and modern appearance, moving away from the shiny chrome and exuberant character of its predecessor. The EX trim featured a pewter wheel finish and Canyon River Blue paint, which received several compliments. Inside, the Accord EX boasted durable cloth seats with contrast stitching and stylish metal mesh dashboard trim. The digital instrumentation and touchscreen infotainment system reflected attention to detail and refinement, making the Accord EX a nicely outfitted option for its price and class.

The 2022 MINI Cooper offered a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with 134 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, taking over eight seconds to reach 60 mph. The Cooper S variant featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 189 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque, achieving 60 mph in less than seven seconds. Both engines were available with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and the car was front-wheel drive. The Cooper S test car had a manual transmission and averaged 27.1 mpg, slightly better than the EPA's 26 mpg estimate. The JCW models offered a more thrilling experience with 235 hp and 228 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in just over six seconds.

The 2023 Honda Accord LX and EX were equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 192 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) powered the front wheels, and the car featured a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension. The Accord EX returned 28.7 mpg on the evaluation route, slightly below the EPA's 32 mpg estimate due to extreme heat and continuous air conditioning use. The Accord's ride quality was tactilely communicative but aurally quiet, with excellent brake pedal modulation and nimble handling. However, the CVT's Sport mode was less satisfying, and the tires squealed and felt squishy when rounding curves.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible prioritized form over function, offering comfortable front seats but essentially useless rear seats. The trunk measured just 5.2 cubic feet, accessible through a bottom-hinged lid. Storage space in the cabin was limited, with the infotainment system's physical controls consuming precious real estate. While the MINI Convertible's small size was expected, other MINI models like the Hardtop 4 Door, Clubman, and Countryman offered more passenger and cargo space.

The 2023 Honda Accord EX added several features, including heated exterior mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, and a 60/40-split folding rear seat. However, it lacked a height-adjustable front passenger seat, rear air conditioning vents, and rear USB charging ports. The Accord provided excellent rear-seat leg support and legroom, making it easy to enter and exit. The trunk offered a generous 16.7 cubic feet of space, with a lid that swung up by itself for easy loading.

The 2022 MINI Cooper introduced a new MINI Connected infotainment system with an 8.8-inch touchscreen display, LED lighting, and access to Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The system was based on BMW's iDrive technology and paired with a standard digital instrument cluster. A head-up display and a Harman Kardon premium sound system were also available, providing impressive sound quality even at highway speeds with the top down.

The 2023 Honda Accord LX and EX featured a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The system included Bluetooth connectivity, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, text-messaging support, and HondaLink connected services. The EX trim came with an eight-speaker audio system, but SiriusXM satellite radio was not included. The physical controls for the stereo and main functions were a delight, though the function control knob was confusing.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible gained newly standard Driving Assistant technology, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Adaptive cruise control was optional for automatic transmission models, but blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were not available. The lane-departure warning system issued a subtle vibration through the steering wheel, effectively notifying the driver to pay attention.

The 2023 Honda Accord came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Accord also featured a reversing camera, automatic high-beam headlights, traffic sign recognition, and a driver monitoring system. The EX trim offered an affordable option package adding blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Accord earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).