2021 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2020 MINI Cooper

The 2020 MINI Cooper was a standout on the road, with its distinctive design that was unmistakably MINI. Its wide-eyed LED-ringed headlights and grinning front grille exuded charm, while vibrant colour options and Union Jack taillights added to its appeal. Despite its unique styling, the Cooper managed to avoid being gaudy, maintaining a balance of enthusiasm and elegance. The evolution of the MINI Cooper included various body styles, from the original two-door hardtop to a convertible and a four-door variant. The introduction of the all-electric SE trim brought a new dimension, offering similar performance to the Cooper S but with an electric motor and battery. The SE's design closely mirrored that of the Cooper S, with slight modifications to accommodate the battery, such as a higher ride height and unique paint schemes.

Inside, the MINI Cooper's design was dominated by circular elements, from the speakers to the air vents and door handles. The infotainment system was housed in a large circular unit between the front seats, adding to the car's premium feel. The SE trim maintained the same level of refinement as its gas-powered counterparts, with a focus on quality materials and thoughtful design. The MINI Cooper's interior was a testament to the brand's commitment to delivering a high-end experience in a compact package.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid was a testament to Honda's design prowess, with a focus on proportion, stance, and detailing that set it apart from other models. The Accord Hybrid was available in base and Touring trims, with prices ranging from $36,105 to $42,805. The 2021 model featured minor front styling changes, including a new grille, revised bumper, and new headlights. The Touring trim boasted new 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, adding to its visual appeal. The Accord's cabin was remarkably upscale, with high-quality materials and a logical layout. The simulated matte-finish wood trim and polished metallic accents added a touch of class, while the controls were easy to use and understand. The Accord Hybrid's interior was spacious, with a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated and ventilated front seats in the Touring trim. The rear seats were also heated, providing comfort for all passengers.

The Accord Hybrid's interior storage was generous, with a large centre console bin and a covered compartment for additional storage. The trunk offered an impressive 473 litres of cargo space, larger than any competitor in the segment. The 60/40 split-folding rear seats further enhanced the car's utility, making it a practical choice for families. The Accord Hybrid's design and functionality made it a standout in the midsize sedan segment, offering a blend of style, comfort, and practicality.

The 2020 MINI Cooper had a storied reputation for performance, known for its nimble quickness and ability to carve corners with ease. The front-wheel-drive MINI Cooper S continued this legacy, with the John Cooper Works trim offering even more impressive performance. The electric MINI Cooper SE featured an electric motor producing 181 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, powered by a 32.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack. These figures were slightly below the Cooper S's 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, which generated 189 hp and 207 lb-ft. However, the SE's immediate torque delivery made it feel just as quick from a stop. The SE also outpaced the base Cooper, which had a 1.5-litre turbo three-cylinder engine producing 134 hp and 162 lb-ft.

The SE's regenerative braking system helped keep the battery charged, with an aggressive default setting that allowed for one-pedal driving. The SE's battery added weight, but its low centre of gravity and direct steering maintained the classic MINI driving experience. The SE used a single-speed gearbox, while gas-powered Coopers offered a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission or an eight-speed automatic in the John Cooper Works trim. The lack of a manual transmission in 2020 was surprising, but a six-speed manual was set to return in 2021.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a two-motor hybrid system, combining a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with a generator/starter motor and a separate electric drive motor. This setup produced a combined 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque, with torque available immediately and remaining constant to 2,000 rpm. The Accord Hybrid achieved a fuel efficiency of 5.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with our test averaging 5.5 L/100 km. The powertrain control module determined the appropriate operational mode, with EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive modes available. Drivers could also select EV Mode, Econ Mode, and Sport mode to tailor the driving experience.

The Accord Hybrid's 19-inch wheels and 235/40 tires provided excellent grip, and the suspension was tuned for athletic handling and a compliant ride. The brake-by-wire regenerative braking system offered excellent feel and response. The Accord Hybrid was a joy to drive, with its refined powertrain and impressive fuel efficiency making it a standout in the hybrid segment.

The 2020 MINI Cooper hatchback was not designed for carpooling or long road trips, with limited rear-seat space best suited for children. The two-door Cooper offered 246 litres of cargo space, while the four-door variant provided 371 litres. The MINI Convertible had only 161 litres of cargo space, but dropping the rear seats in the SE trim increased capacity to 730 litres. Despite the limited space, the MINI Cooper was thoughtfully designed, with two-zone automatic air conditioning and efficient heating to minimize battery draw in the SE trim. The interior featured chrome toggle switches, an ergonomic steering wheel, and high-quality materials, reflecting BMW's investment in the MINI brand.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid offered an impressive amount of space, with a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and a spacious back seat. The Touring trim included heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. Interior storage was generous, with a large centre console bin and a covered compartment for additional storage. The Accord Hybrid's trunk offered 473 litres of cargo space, larger than any competitor in the segment. The 60/40 split-folding rear seats further enhanced the car's utility, making it a practical choice for families. The Accord Hybrid's design and functionality made it a standout in the midsize sedan segment, offering a blend of style, comfort, and practicality.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE featured an "eDrive" driver-information display connected to the steering wheel, displaying vehicle speed, time, average energy consumption, remaining charge, and drive mode. The 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display included Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, and Apple CarPlay, but not Android Auto. The SE Premier+ trim offered an 8.8-inch screen, wireless charging pad, and head-up display.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim featured a head-up display and navigation with bilingual voice recognition. The system required specific prompts for voice commands, and the navigation system struggled to locate the closest hospital. The Accord Hybrid's technology offerings were comprehensive, with improved USB port access and wireless charging for smartphones.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE lacked 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 MINI Cooper received "Good" scores in all crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid aimed to achieve a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS by redesigning its LED headlights. Standard safety features included blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rearview camera. The Touring trim added low-speed braking control and front and rear automatic emergency braking. The Honda Sensing suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) included refinements to adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. However, the system's operation was still noticeable, and the low-speed automatic braking required recalibration.