2022 MINI Cooper vs 2021 Honda Accord

The 2021 Honda Accord was a staple in the midsize sedan market, competing fiercely with rivals like the Toyota Camry, Mazda6, and Hyundai Sonata. For this model year, Honda introduced a mid-generation refresh, enhancing the Accord's appeal with a wider, restyled grille and improved Honda Sensing safety system integration. The Accord's exterior featured LED headlights and a more sophisticated design with smaller fog light openings and new alloy wheel designs. Inside, the Accord offered a blend of cloth and leather-trimmed seats, depending on the trim, with a power moonroof available from the Sport trim. The interior was noted for its sophistication, even in lower trims, and provided a comfortable and stylish environment for passengers.

In contrast, the 2022 MINI Cooper continued to embrace its iconic design while incorporating modern updates. The MINI lineup expanded over the years, including various body styles like the Hardtop, Convertible, Clubman, and Countryman. The 2022 model year brought refreshed styling with restyled bumpers, a new grille, and standard LED headlights. The interior featured a new steering wheel and next-generation infotainment system with an 8.8-inch touchscreen. Despite its charming design, the MINI Convertible's proportions remained awkward, and the new grille accentuated its overbite. The interior maintained a retro feel with modern technology, offering a unique driving experience with the top down. However, the emphasis on design over function resulted in a cluttered interior, and the rear seats were largely impractical.

The 2021 Honda Accord offered two engine options, catering to different driving preferences. The standard engine was a 192-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder, delivering 192 pound-feet of torque and paired with a CVT. This engine was available in the SE, Sport, EX-L, and Touring trims. For those seeking more power, the Accord Sport 2.0 and Touring 2.0 featured a 2.0-litre turbo-four engine producing 252 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Accord's front-wheel-drive setup provided a balanced driving experience, with the 2.0-litre engine offering more engaging performance. Fuel economy varied between the engines, with the 1.5-litre achieving 7.2 to 7.5 L/100 km combined, while the 2.0-litre consumed 9.1 L/100 km combined.

The 2022 MINI Cooper, on the other hand, came with a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine producing 134 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 8.7 seconds. For more spirited driving, the Cooper S offered a 2.0-litre turbo-four engine with 189 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque, reaching 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds. Both engines were available with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Cooper S test car featured a manual transmission, providing a lively driving experience with a compliant ride. However, the steering response and brake pedal feel were less precise, affecting driving satisfaction. The JCW models offered even more power with 235 hp and 228 lb-ft of torque, but the test car lacked the adaptive-damping suspension and performance tires for optimal handling.

The 2021 Honda Accord excelled in practicality, offering a spacious interior with seating for five adults. The front and rear seats provided ample head-, hip-, and legroom, ensuring comfort for all occupants. Standard features included dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and push-button start. The rear seats featured a 60/40 split, allowing for pass-through access to the generous 473-litre trunk. The cabin was thoughtfully designed, with essential controls within easy reach and a user-friendly infotainment system. While small-item storage was limited, the Accord's overall interior space and functionality were commendable.

In contrast, the 2022 MINI Cooper prioritized form over function, particularly in the Convertible model. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, but the rear seats were virtually unusable, even for children. The trunk offered just 147 litres of space, accessible through a bottom-hinged lid. Interior storage was limited, with the infotainment controls occupying valuable space on the centre console. While the MINI's compact size was expected, those seeking practicality would be better served by other MINI models like the 4-Door Hardtop, Clubman, or Countryman, which offered more passenger and cargo space.

The 2021 Honda Accord impressed with its technology offerings, featuring an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with physical volume and tuning knobs. The system was responsive and visually appealing, with standard features like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and two USB ports. Higher trims added satellite radio, HD radio, a wireless phone charger, and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The Touring trims included an on-board navigation system, rain-sensing wipers, and a head-up display, providing a comprehensive suite of tech features.

The 2022 MINI Cooper introduced the MINI Connected infotainment system with an 8.8-inch touchscreen display, surrounded by a classic LED-lit décor ring. The system offered Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and BMW-based connected services. Navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a Harman Kardon premium sound system were available options. The infotainment system, based on BMW's iDrive technology, paired with a digital instrument cluster, provided a modern tech experience. A head-up display was also available, visible even with polarized sunglasses. The optional Harman Kardon sound system delivered impressive audio quality, overcoming ambient noise with the top down.

The 2021 Honda Accord prioritized safety with a comprehensive suite of features. Standard equipment included vehicle stability assist, traction control, brake assist, a rearview camera, and LED daytime running lights. The Honda Sensing suite added lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, road departure mitigation, blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Accord received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, earning a Top Safety Pick+ and a five-star overall safety rating, respectively. The car also featured LATCH connectors for child safety seats in the rear.

The 2022 MINI Cooper benefited from its increased size, offering improved safety potential. However, crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS were unavailable. 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 optional for automatic transmission models. Despite these features, the lack of blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert was a drawback, given the visibility challenges with the top raised. The lane-departure warning system provided effective feedback through the steering wheel.