2021 Nissan Maxima vs 2020 MINI Cooper

The 2020 MINI Cooper stood out on the road with its distinctive design, characterized by wide-eyed headlights with LED rings 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 was never considered wasteful or gaudy. Over the years, the MINI Cooper evolved from a two-door hardtop to include a convertible variant and a four-door body style. The introduction of the all-electric SE trim offered similar performance and refinement to the S trim, with the key difference being its slightly higher stance to accommodate the battery cells. Inside, the Cooper's design was dominated by circles, from the speakers to the air vents, and it delivered a premium feel unmatched in cars of its size.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima, as a flagship sedan, set the tone for other Nissan models with its bold styling elements like the "floating" roofline and "V-Motion" grille. It distinguished itself with a steeply-angled front end and massive grille, reminiscent of an Art Deco locomotive. The 40th Anniversary Edition trim, although not available in Canada, featured elements like 19-inch gloss-black alloy wheels and black exterior trim. The Maxima's design was bold and sporty, setting it apart from other Nissan sedans and making it a standout choice for those seeking a unique look.

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 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. Gas-powered Coopers offered a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission or an eight-speed automatic in the John Cooper Works trim, while the SE used a single-speed gearbox.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. While it wasn't a "four-door sports car," the Maxima felt quick, and the V6 engine sounded great. The CVT was responsive, and pairing it with a naturally-aspirated V6 helped deliver power efficiently. The Maxima was agile for a big sedan, but its steering lacked precision, and the front end lacked grip, leading to torque steer under heavy throttle. Despite these limitations, the Maxima was designed to be sporty, and it excelled in highway cruising with a quiet cabin and comfortable ride.

The 2020 MINI Cooper hatchback was not ideal for carpooling or 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 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 its compact size, the Cooper was thoughtfully designed with features like two-zone automatic air conditioning and ergonomic controls. The materials used in the Cooper were top-notch, reflecting BMW's investment in the MINI brand.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima offered generous front-seat space, with the highest front headroom and legroom among its competitors. However, rear-seat passengers experienced cramped conditions, with rear headroom and legroom near the bottom of the class. The seats were positioned far inboard, affecting the feeling of spaciousness. The Maxima featured Nissan's "Zero Gravity" front seats, designed for optimum support, with power adjustments and extra bolstering. Cargo space was limited to 405 litres, the least among its competitors, but the Maxima's design prioritized the driver with excellent visibility and a driver-focused cabin.

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 range. The SE's 32.6-kilowatt-hour battery allowed for a range of 177 kilometres, appealing to urban drivers. The 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display included Bluetooth, navigation, and Apple CarPlay, with an 8.8-inch screen available on the SE Premier+. The Premier+ trim also offered a wireless charging pad and a head-up display.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima's technology showed its age, with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. A built-in WiFi hotspot and USB ports were standard, along with an 11-speaker Bose audio system. However, the infotainment system's graphics looked dated, and small icons made navigation difficult. The Maxima provided analog controls for climate and audio, but the notification sounds were jarring. Despite these drawbacks, the Maxima offered a comprehensive set of features for a mainstream infotainment system.

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

The 2021 Nissan Maxima received an IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" rating, with top "Good" scores in all crash tests and a "Superior" rating for front crash prevention tech. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Maxima a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The Maxima also offered a 360-degree camera system on higher trims.