2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 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 color options and Union Jack taillights added to its charm, making it a favorite among car enthusiasts. Despite its eye-catching design, the Cooper managed to avoid being gaudy, instead exuding a sense of charm and inviting admiration. 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 offered a similar performance and refinement level as the S trim, with the addition of a battery and electric motor. The SE maintained much of the regular Cooper S design, with slight modifications to accommodate the battery cells. Inside, the MINI Cooper's design was dominated by circular elements, providing a premium feel unmatched in cars of its size.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid carried over the bold design introduced in the previous model year, standing out in the sedan market with its aggressive styling. While some might have found its catfish-like appearance off-putting, it was sure to catch attention in a crowded parking lot. The test model featured a matte gray paint scheme, complemented by details like an integrated deck-lid spoiler and aerodynamic strakes in the taillights. Inside, the Sonata Hybrid offered a more conventional and refined cabin, with soft-touch surfaces and a modern, haptic bezel surrounding the vivid touchscreen infotainment system. The seats were comfortable and supportive, making long trips enjoyable for both front and rear passengers. The Sonata Hybrid was available in Blue, SEL, and Limited trims, with the Limited trim offering features like a solar panel roof, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and leather upholstery.

The 2020 MINI Cooper had a storied reputation for performance, focusing on nimble quickness and ease of navigation rather than outright speed. The Cooper SE, with its electric motor producing 181 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, excelled in performance. It was nearly as quick as the Cooper S, which had a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine generating 189 hp and 207 lb-ft. The SE's immediacy in torque delivery made it feel just as quick from a stop. The SE also featured regenerative braking, with an aggressive default setting that allowed for one-pedal driving. Despite a 300-pound weight penalty due to the battery, the SE maintained a low center of gravity, providing a planted feel in corners. 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 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid combined a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and battery pack, delivering a combined 192 horsepower through a six-speed automatic transmission. The Limited trim featured a solar panel roof, adding about two miles per day to the driving range. The Sonata Hybrid offered solid pickup, with quick acceleration and enough power for highway speeds. It featured a Drive Mode toggle with Eco, Sport, Custom, and Smart modes, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. The Sonata Hybrid often started in battery-only mode, with a seamless transition to the engine. The auto stop-start system was minimally intrusive, though the engine could be noisy under hard acceleration. The Sonata Hybrid impressed with its refined driving dynamics, light but precise steering, and solid stopping power from the brakes.

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 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 of cargo space. Dropping the rear seats in the SE trim increased cargo space to 25.8 cubic feet. Despite limited space, the MINI Cooper was thoughtfully designed, with two-zone automatic air conditioning and efficient heating. The interior featured chrome toggle switches, an ergonomic steering wheel, and high-quality materials, reflecting BMW's investment in the brand.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid offered 16 cubic feet of trunk space, matching the conventionally-powered Sonata and surpassing the Camry Hybrid. The cabin provided ample legroom for front passengers and decent rear-seat space, accommodating four adults comfortably. The sloping roofline resulted in a low rear door opening, but once inside, rear headroom was adequate. Front passengers had cargo pockets in their doors and a center console, with a tray at the bottom of the center stack for small items.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE featured an "eDrive" driver-information display connected to the steering wheel, displaying vehicle speed, time, mileage, remaining charge, and drive mode. The SE's 32.6-kilowatt-hour battery offered a 110-mile range, appealing to urban drivers. The 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display included Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, and Apple CarPlay. The SE Iconic trim offered an 8.8-inch screen, wireless charging pad, and head-up display.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with the Limited trim offering a 10.25-inch screen with navigation and real-time traffic updates. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with CarPlay occupying two-thirds of the screen. The touchscreen layout was intuitive, with crisp graphics on the larger screen. The Limited trim included a wireless charging pad and head-up display, though the HUD's adjustability was limited for taller drivers.

The 2020 MINI Cooper lacked advanced safety features, with only front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera included in the Iconic package. Forward-collision warning was standard, but automatic emergency braking was unavailable. The MINI Cooper received "Good" scores in all crash tests from the IIHS, though it was not rated by the NHTSA.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid came standard with a full suite of driver-assistance features, including forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Limited trim added a head-up display, 360-degree surround-view parking monitor, and parking sensors. The Sonata Hybrid earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was a 2021 IIHS Top Safety Pick.