2021 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2020 MINI Cooper

The 2020 MINI Cooper stood out on the road with its unique design, featuring wide-eyed LED headlights, a grinning front grille, and vibrant color options. The Union Jack taillights were a crowd-pleaser, adding to the car's charm without appearing wasteful or gaudy. Initially available as a two-door hardtop, the MINI Cooper evolved to include a convertible variant, a four-door body style, and an all-electric SE trim. The SE trim, which we tested, mimicked the design of the Cooper S but sat slightly higher to accommodate the battery cells. Inside, the MINI Cooper's design was dominated by circles, with circular speakers, air vents, and a massive circular housing for the touchscreen infotainment system. The interior delivered a premium feel unmatched by other cars of its size.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid, available in standard, EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, displayed a flair for proportion, stance, style, and detailing. Minor front styling changes included a new grille, revised bumper, and new headlights. The Touring trim featured new 19-inch aluminum wheels and a new Sonic Gray Pearl paint color. Our test vehicle, an Accord Touring in Lunar Silver, had a dark undertone that avoided the drab brightness of typical silver metallic paint. The interior of the Accord was remarkably upscale, with simulated matte-finish wood trim, robust controls, and polished metallic accents. The logically arranged controls were easy to use, and the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display provided excellent outward visibility.

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. These figures were just below the Cooper S’s 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, which generated 189 hp and 207 lb-ft. The SE felt quick from a stop due to the immediacy of the electric motor's torque delivery. The SE also used regenerative braking to help keep its battery charged, with an aggressive default setting that some drivers might prefer to switch off. Despite a 300-pound weight penalty due to the battery, the SE maintained a low center of gravity, helping it feel planted in corners. The SE used a single-speed gearbox, while gas-powered Coopers employed either a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission or an eight-speed automatic in the John Cooper Works trim.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid paired a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a generator/starter motor and a separate electric drive motor, producing a combined 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. The torque was available right away, making the Accord Hybrid feel quick from a standing start. Honda estimated a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds and a combined fuel economy of 48 mpg for most trims, with the Touring trim earning a 43-mpg rating. The powertrain control module determined the appropriate operational mode—EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, or Engine Drive—at any given time. Drivers could also select EV Mode, Econ Mode, and Sport mode to tailor drivetrain characteristics. The Accord Hybrid Touring, with its 19-inch wheels and 235/40 tires, offered athletic handling and a compliant ride, with excellent brake-by-wire regenerative braking.

The 2020 MINI Cooper hatchback was not ideal for carpooling, road trips, or home-improvement projects. Front-seat space was good, but the backseat was tiny and best suited for children. The two-door Cooper offered 8.7 cubic feet of cargo space, while the four-door version provided 13.1 cubic feet. The Convertible had only 5.7 cubic feet. Dropping the rear seats in the SE trim provided a maximum of 25.8 cubic feet. Despite limited space, the MINI Cooper was thoughtfully designed, with two-zone automatic air conditioning, chrome toggle switches, and top-notch materials.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid amazed with its spacious interior, competing as a midsize sedan but offering full-size sedan space. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and enormous back seat provided excellent leg support. The Touring trim featured heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. Interior storage was generous, with a large center console bin, a covered compartment with a wireless smartphone charger, and large door panel bins. The Accord Hybrid's 16.7 cubic-foot trunk was the largest in its segment, with 60/40 split-folding rear seats for added utility.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE featured a unique “eDrive” driver-information display connected to the steering wheel, displaying vehicle speed, time, mileage, remaining charge, and drive mode. The SE had a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display with Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, and Apple CarPlay. The SE Iconic trim included an 8.8-inch screen, a wireless charging pad, and a head-up display.

For 2021, Honda made its 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system standard on the base Accord Hybrid, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The EX trim offered wireless connectivity for these platforms, improved USB port access, and quick-charge USB ports for rear-seat passengers. The EX-L trim featured a premium sound system, while the Touring trim included navigation, HondaLink subscription services, and a WiFi hotspot. The system worked well but required specific prompts for voice commands.

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

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid aimed to earn a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS by redesigning its LED headlights and making them standard. The Accord Hybrid included a rear-seat reminder, rear seatbelt reminder system, and low-speed braking control on the Touring model. The Honda Sensing collection of advanced driving assistance systems was refined for smoother operation, with a new button to access settings. However, the lane departure warning and low-speed automatic braking needed further improvement.