2021 Nissan Sentra 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 headlights with LED rings and a grinning front grille added to its charm. The vibrant colour options and Union Jack taillights were crowd-pleasers, making it an enthusiast's dream without being wasteful or gaudy. The MINI Cooper evolved from its original two-door hardtop to include a convertible variant, a four-door body style, and even an all-electric SE trim. The SE maintained the classic Cooper S design but sat slightly higher to accommodate the battery cells. Inside, the MINI Cooper's design was dominated by circles, from the speakers to the air vents, and it offered a premium feel unmatched in its size category.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra, in its eighth generation, presented an athletic exterior with crisp lines and a bold V-Motion grille. It offered six exterior paint colours, including vibrant options like Monarch Orange Metallic and Electric Blue. The SR trim levels featured two-tone paint schemes, enhancing its design appeal. The Sentra's interior was spacious, with a layered dash and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen on SV and SR models. The flat-bottomed steering wheel added a sporty touch, and the second row was roomy, though better suited for two passengers. The Sentra's trunk offered 404 litres of cargo space, with a 60/40 split for larger items.

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. While slightly below the Cooper S's 189 hp and 207 lb-ft from its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, the SE's immediate torque delivery made it feel just as quick. The SE featured regenerative braking, with an aggressive default setting that allowed for one-pedal driving. Despite a 135-kilogram weight penalty due to the battery, the SE maintained a low centre of gravity, ensuring a planted feel in corners. Gas-powered Coopers offered a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, while the SE used a single-speed gearbox.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra featured a new 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. It came with front-wheel drive and an Xtronic CVT, with manual transmission options available in Canada. The Sentra's curb weight ranged from 1,349 to 1,411 kilograms, and it offered fuel consumption rates of 8.0 L/100 km city and 6.0 highway for S and SV models. The Sentra's driving experience was enhanced by its four-wheel independent suspension and dual-pinion electric steering, providing tidy road manners and cornering.

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 limited space, the MINI Cooper was thoughtfully designed, with two-zone automatic air conditioning and ergonomic features like chrome toggle switches and a well-designed steering wheel.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra's interior was well-organized, with a traditional gear selector lever, open cupholders, and ample storage options. It featured two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and a 12-volt port, with big door pockets for water bottles. The Sentra's Zero Gravity front bucket seats provided comfort on long rides, and heated front seats were standard. The SR Premium grade offered a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat and a power-sliding glass moonroof.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE featured an "eDrive" driver-information display, which moved with steering-wheel adjustments. The display provided information on vehicle speed, energy consumption, and remaining charge. The SE's 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display included Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, and Apple CarPlay. The SE Premier+ trim offered an 8.8-inch screen, wireless charging pad, and head-up display.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra's standard audio system included AM/FM/USB with four speakers, upgraded to six speakers and SiriusXM in SV and SR trims. The SR Premium offered a Bose system with eight speakers. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity were standard, with a 7-inch touchscreen in the S and an 8-inch touchscreen in SV and SR models.

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 rated the 2020 MINI Cooper with "Good" scores in all crash tests.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra came with a comprehensive array of standard safety features, including multiple airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, and Nissan Safety Shield 360. It included intelligent forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and more. The Sentra received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.