2021 Hyundai Sonata 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, instead offering a charming and praise-worthy presence. Initially available as a two-door hardtop, the Cooper expanded to include a convertible and a four-door variant, with the all-electric SE trim joining the lineup. The SE maintained the classic Cooper design, with slight modifications to accommodate its electric components, such as a higher ride height and unique EV-exclusive wheels.

Inside, the MINI Cooper's design was dominated by circular elements, from the speakers and air vents to the door handles. The central touchscreen infotainment system was housed in a large circular frame, adding to the car's premium feel. The SE trim, in particular, offered a level of refinement unmatched in its class, with high-quality materials and thoughtful design touches like chrome toggle switches and ergonomic steering wheel. The MINI Cooper's interior was a testament to BMW's investment in the brand, delivering a luxurious experience in a compact package.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata, redesigned for the 2020 model year, presented a bold and distinctive look that was unmistakably Sonata. The N Line treatment enhanced the car's appeal with functional and stylistic changes, such as larger air intakes for improved engine cooling and gloss black accents. The car's profile was marked by bold 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, while the rear featured a subtle gloss black lip spoiler and a reworked bumper with a four-outlet exhaust system. These enhancements gave the Sonata a stealthy, performance-oriented appearance without resorting to exaggerated scoops and wings.

Inside, the Sonata N Line offered a balance between comfort and sportiness, with heated front sport seats featuring Nappa leather bolsters and Dinamica suede inserts. The interior was adorned with red stitching, aluminum pedal covers, and dark chrome accents, while a standard panoramic sunroof added to the sense of space. Though the rear seats were not significantly more spacious than those in the Elantra N Line, the Sonata offered rear air conditioning vents and a USB port for added convenience. The trunk provided a generous 453 litres of space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. The Sonata's interior was both practical and stylish, with thoughtful touches like a hands-free trunk release feature.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE excelled in performance, continuing the brand's legacy of nimble handling and quickness. The electric motor delivered 181 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, powered by a 32.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack. While these figures were slightly below the Cooper S's 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, the SE's immediate torque delivery made it feel just as quick. The SE also featured regenerative braking, with an aggressive default setting that allowed for one-pedal driving. Despite the added weight of the battery, the SE maintained a low centre of gravity, thanks to its T-shaped battery placement, ensuring a planted feel in corners. The SE used a single-speed gearbox, while gas-powered Coopers offered a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters and launch control helped deliver power to the front wheels. The Sonata N Line offered multiple driving modes, including Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Custom, along with an Active Sound Design system for an enhanced engine note. The car's performance was further bolstered by improvements in engine and transmission mount stiffness, faster steering, larger brakes, and a sport-tuned suspension. During test drives on mountain roads, the Sonata N Line demonstrated impressive handling, with minimal understeer and a suspension that expertly managed body roll and excess motion.

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 convertible model had just 161 litres of cargo space. Despite the SE trim's electric components, MINI managed to maintain the same interior space, with a maximum of 730 litres available with the rear seats folded. The Cooper's interior featured two-zone automatic air conditioning and a heat pump for efficient heating, along with high-quality materials and ergonomic design elements.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line offered heated front sport seats with a balance of comfort and lateral support. The rear seats, while not significantly more spacious than those in the Elantra N Line, included rear air conditioning vents and a USB port. The Sonata's trunk provided 453 litres of space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. The car featured a hands-free trunk release, though the lack of an interior handle meant getting hands dirty when closing the trunk. The Sonata's interior was both practical and stylish, with thoughtful touches like a panoramic sunroof and high-quality materials.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE featured an "eDrive" driver-information display connected to the steering wheel, displaying information such as speed, energy consumption, and remaining range. The SE's 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system included Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, and Apple CarPlay, with an 8.8-inch screen available on higher trims. The SE Premier+ trim also offered a wireless charging pad and a head-up display.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Standard features included navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth, though it lacked a WiFi hotspot. The Sonata's infotainment system also offered ambient noise tracks for stress relief, though the lack of a tuning knob and occasional touch-sensing issues were minor drawbacks.

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

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line came with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot warning, and more. The N Line also featured a Rear Occupant Alert system and a Safe Exit Warning system. The standard Sonata received high safety ratings, though the N Line had not been independently tested at the time of review.