2021 Honda Accord vs 2020 MINI Cooper

The 2020 MINI Cooper was a standout on the road with its distinctive design, characterized by 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 unique styling, the Cooper managed to avoid being seen as wasteful or gaudy, instead exuding a charming and inviting presence. The MINI Cooper evolved from its original two-door hardtop to include a convertible variant and a four-door body style, eventually introducing the all-electric SE trim. The SE maintained much of the design elements of the Cooper S, with the key difference being its slightly higher stance to accommodate the battery cells. Inside, the MINI Cooper's design was dominated by circular elements, from the speakers to the air vents, and it offered a premium feel unmatched by other cars of its size.

The 2021 Honda Accord received a mid-generation refresh to keep up with its competitors, featuring a wider, restyled grille that gave it a more sculpted appearance. The Honda Sensing safety system's radar unit was better integrated into the design, enhancing the vehicle's overall look. All Accord models came with LED headlights and lowlights, providing excellent visibility at night. The car's fog light openings were smaller, contributing to a more sophisticated appearance. The Accord offered new alloy wheel designs and a unique Sonic Gray Pearl paint option for Sport and Touring models. Inside, the Accord's interior was sophisticated, with cloth seats in lower trims and leather-trimmed seats in higher trims. The cabin was designed for comfort and convenience, with features like a power moonroof and a well-organized layout that made all controls easily accessible.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE excelled in performance with its 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 featured regenerative braking, which could be aggressive, allowing for one-pedal driving. Despite the SE's additional weight due to the battery, its low centre of gravity helped maintain the classic MINI driving experience with direct steering and limited body roll. 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 2021 Honda Accord offered two engine options: a 192-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 192 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT, and a more powerful 2.0-litre turbo-four producing 252 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The 2.0-litre engine was available in Sport 2.0 and Touring 2.0 grades, offering a more engaging driving experience. The Accord's fuel economy varied between the two engines, with the 1.5-litre engine being more efficient. The Accord's drive dynamics were engaging, with pointed steering and easy maneuverability. Paddle shifters were available in Sport and Touring trims, and the braking system was upgraded for smoother engagement.

The 2020 MINI Cooper hatchback was not ideal for carpooling or long trips, with limited rear-seat space best suited for children. The two-door Cooper offered 246 litres of cargo space, while the four-door hatchback provided 371 litres. The MINI Convertible had only 161 litres of cargo space. Dropping the rear seats in the SE trim increased cargo capacity to 730 litres. Despite the limited space, the MINI Cooper was thoughtfully designed, with features like two-zone automatic air conditioning and chrome toggle switches on the dashboard. The materials used in the Cooper felt top-notch, reflecting BMW's investment in the MINI brand.

The 2021 Honda Accord was designed for daily drivability, offering seating for five with ample head-, hip-, and legroom in both the front and back seats. The Accord featured dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and other convenience features. The rear seats had a 60/40 split and centre armrest, allowing for pass-through from the 473-litre trunk. The cabin was well-designed, with all essential controls within easy reach. Small-item storage was better than some sedans, with a small cubby at the front of the centre console.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE featured an "eDrive" driver-information display connected to the steering wheel, displaying information like vehicle speed, energy consumption, and remaining charge. The SE's 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 came with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with physical volume and tuning knobs. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and two USB ports. Higher trims added satellite radio, HD radio, a wireless phone charger, a 10-speaker premium audio system, and a Wi-Fi hot spot. The Accord Touring and Touring 2.0 featured an on-board navigation system, rain-sensing wipers, and a head-up display.

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 IIHS gave the 2020 MINI Cooper top marks, earning "Good" scores in all crash tests.

The 2021 Honda Accord came standard with a comprehensive list of safety features, including vehicle stability assist, brake assists, a rearview camera, and LED daytime running lights. The Honda Sensing suite included lane-keeping assist, road departure mitigation, blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. The IIHS awarded the Accord its highest rating, Top Safety Pick+, and the NHTSA gave it a five-star overall safety rating.