2020 MINI Cooper vs 2021 BMW 5 Series

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 enthusiasts. Despite its bold design, the Cooper managed to avoid being gaudy, instead exuding a charming appeal. The SE trim, an all-electric variant, maintained the classic Cooper design with slight modifications to accommodate its battery, such as a higher ride height and unique EV-exclusive wheels. Inside, the Cooper's design was dominated by circular elements, from the air vents to the infotainment system, providing a premium feel unmatched in its size category.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series, in contrast, was known for its restrained design, lacking the flourishes of the 3 Series or the imposing size of the 7 Series. The 2021 model received a minor refresh, resulting in a sleeker look with streamlined LED headlights and a larger, yet not overly large, twin-kidney grille. The M Sport Package added trapezoidal tailpipes and new bumpers, enhancing its subtle elegance. Inside, the 5 Series retained the familiar BMW layout, with details like the touchscreen positioning and shifter style reinforcing its brand identity. While the interior materials varied by trim, the Nappa leather in the 540i xDrive test car added a luxurious touch, though the sporty steering wheel felt somewhat out of place.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE excelled in performance with its 181-horsepower electric motor and 199 pound-feet of torque, powered by a 32.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack. While slightly less powerful than the Cooper S's 189-horsepower 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, the SE's immediate torque delivery made it feel just as quick. The SE's regenerative braking system allowed for one-pedal driving, though some drivers preferred a less aggressive setting. Despite a weight increase due to the battery, the SE maintained a low centre of gravity, ensuring a classic MINI driving experience with direct steering and minimal body roll. 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 BMW 5 Series offered a range of powertrains, starting with the 530i's 2.0-litre turbocharged engine producing 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds. The 540i featured a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, delivering 335 horsepower and 362 pound-feet of torque, reaching 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds. The M550i xDrive and M5 offered even more power with their V8 engines. The 530e plug-in hybrid combined a 2.0-litre engine with an electric motor for 288 horsepower and a 31 km electric range. The 5 Series excelled in handling, particularly with the 540i xDrive's adaptive dampers, though it leaned more towards luxury than sportiness.

The 2020 MINI Cooper, while not ideal for large families or extensive cargo needs, offered good front-seat space and a sense of openness due to its large windows. The backseat was small, suitable mainly for children, and cargo space was limited, with 246 litres in the two-door model and 371 litres in the four-door. 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 like two-zone automatic air conditioning and high-quality materials.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series, available only as a sedan in Canada, provided ample space for passengers and cargo. The front seats were spacious, and while the rear seats appeared less roomy on paper, they offered sufficient comfort. The 540i's trunk space of 396 litres surpassed that of its rivals, and the rear seats could fold in a 40/20/20 split for added versatility. The test car's 16-way power front seats offered excellent support and comfort, though forward visibility was somewhat hindered by the long hood. A surround-view camera system aided in maneuvering.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE featured an "eDrive" driver-information display that moved with the steering wheel adjustments, displaying crucial information like speed, energy consumption, and remaining range. The SE's 6.5-inch touchscreen housed in a circular dash display included Bluetooth, navigation, and Apple CarPlay, with an 8.8-inch screen available on higher trims. The Premier+ trim also offered a wireless charging pad and a head-up display.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series came with a standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, both offering excellent graphics. The iDrive 7 system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM. The rotary knob controller provided a tactile interface, complemented by voice and gesture controls. However, the layout of the instrument cluster could be confusing, particularly the power meter replacing the tachometer in non-sport modes.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE lacked many advanced safety features, offering only front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera with the Premier+ package. Forward-collision warning was standard, but automatic emergency braking was not available. The IIHS rated the 2020 MINI Cooper highly, with "Good" scores in all crash tests.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series, while not crash-tested by the IIHS for 2021, received a "Top Safety Pick+" award for the 2020 model. Standard safety features included lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic high beams. The Driving Assistance Plus Package added adaptive cruise control and other advanced features, offering smooth operation and sophisticated driver-assist technology.