2021 Acura TLX vs 2020 MINI Cooper

The 2020 MINI Cooper was a distinctive presence on the road, with its unique styling that included wide-eyed LED-ringed headlights and a grinning front grille. Its vibrant colour options and Union Jack taillights added to its charm, making it a favourite among car enthusiasts. Despite its bold design, the Cooper managed to avoid being gaudy, instead exuding a charming and inviting aura. Over the years, the MINI Cooper evolved from its original two-door hardtop to include a convertible variant and a four-door body style. The introduction of the all-electric SE trim marked a significant step, offering similar performance and refinement to the Cooper S, but with an electric motor and battery. The SE maintained much of the Cooper S's design, with the main difference being its slightly higher stance to accommodate the battery cells.

In contrast, the 2021 Acura TLX was a sporty sedan with a bold and assertive stance. Its design featured a steeply raked windshield, fastback-style roofline, and integrated tail spoiler, giving it a distinctive look in a crowded class. The front grille, with its pattern radiating from the Acura logo, and the jewel-eye LED headlights added to its aggressive appearance. The TLX's paint quality was top-notch, with tasteful badging and chrome accents enhancing its premium feel. Inside, the TLX offered a "sport sedan cockpit" with authentic materials and a well-organized dash. The 10.2-inch infotainment screen was neatly integrated, providing a modern and functional interior.

The 2020 MINI Cooper was renowned for its nimble quickness and ability to carve corners, a legacy dating back to its racing days in the 1960s. The Cooper SE, with its 181-horsepower electric motor and 199 lb-ft of torque, delivered impressive performance, closely matching the Cooper S's 189-horsepower 2.0-litre turbocharged engine. The SE's electric motor provided immediate torque delivery, making it feel quick off the line. The SE also featured regenerative braking, which could be adjusted for a more aggressive or relaxed driving experience. Despite the added weight of the battery, the SE maintained a low centre of gravity, ensuring a planted feel in corners. The SE used a single-speed gearbox, while gas-powered Coopers offered a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic or an eight-speed automatic in the John Cooper Works trim.

The 2021 Acura TLX, on the other hand, was equipped with a new turbocharged 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine, producing 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. The TLX featured a 10-speed automatic transmission with drive-by-wire and shift-by-wire systems, enhancing its sporty performance. Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) with torque vectoring was standard, providing excellent handling and stability. The TLX's Integrated Dynamics System allowed drivers to choose between Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Individual modes, adjusting the car's performance characteristics accordingly. The Platinum Elite grade added adaptive dampers for a customizable ride. The TLX's increased torsional stiffness and suspension rigidity contributed to its solid and balanced feel on various road surfaces.

The 2020 MINI Cooper, while not ideal for carpooling or long road trips, offered good front-seat space and a spacious greenhouse, preventing a claustrophobic feel. The backseat was small, best suited for children, and cargo space was limited, with 246 litres in the two-door model and 371 litres in the four-door version. The SE trim maintained the same interior space, with a maximum of 730 litres when the rear seats were folded. Despite its compact size, the Cooper featured thoughtful design elements, such as two-zone automatic air conditioning and ergonomic controls.

The 2021 Acura TLX benefited from its shift-by-wire transmission, allowing for a reimagined centre console design. The transmission controls were located in the centre stack, freeing up space for the infotainment interface and cupholders. The rear seat comfortably accommodated two adults, with adequate head- and legroom. The front seats offered 12-way or 16-way power adjustability, with options for Ultrasuede or perforated leather. The second row folded in a 60/40 split, providing access to the 382-litre trunk, which featured a wide opening for easy loading.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE featured an "eDrive" driver-information display, which moved with the steering wheel adjustments. The display provided information on speed, energy consumption, and remaining charge, with a range of 177 kilometres. The 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system included Bluetooth, navigation, and Apple CarPlay, with an 8.8-inch screen available on higher trims. The SE Premier+ trim added a wireless charging pad and a head-up display.

The 2021 Acura TLX was packed with technology, including drive-by-wire, shift-by-wire, and SH-AWD systems. The 10-speed automatic transmission featured Grade Logic Control, Shift Hold Control, and Cornering G Shift Control for enhanced performance. The TLX offered ambient interior lighting, customizable to match drive modes or personal preferences. The ELS Studio 3D 17-speaker audio system provided exceptional sound quality. The infotainment system included navigation, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with a head-up display available on the Platinum Elite grade.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE lacked many advanced safety features, with only front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera included in the Premier+ package. Forward-collision warning was standard, but automatic emergency braking was unavailable. The IIHS rated the MINI Cooper with top marks, earning "Good" scores in all crash tests.

The 2021 Acura TLX came with a comprehensive suite of driver-assist technologies, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Additional safety features included a pedestrian injury mitigation design, ACE body structure, and a full complement of airbags. The TLX received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.