2021 Toyota Corolla 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 refined and enthusiast-friendly appearance. The evolution of the MINI Cooper included various body styles, from the original two-door hardtop to a convertible and a four-door variant, culminating in the all-electric SE trim. The SE maintained the classic Cooper design, with slight modifications to accommodate its electric components, such as a higher ride height and unique paint schemes.

Inside, the MINI Cooper continued its circular design theme, with circular speakers, air vents, and a large circular housing for the touchscreen infotainment system. The interior offered a premium feel, with high-quality materials and thoughtful design elements. The SE trim, in particular, provided a level of refinement that was unmatched in its class, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a stylish and well-crafted compact car.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla, particularly in its 12th-generation form, was considered one of the most attractive Corollas in recent history. The SE and XSE trims featured sport-design bumpers, a mesh grille insert, and 18-inch aluminum wheels, enhancing its sporty appeal. The Celestite metallic paint option added a beautiful blue undertone, making the Corolla genuinely appealing. However, some design elements, such as the hood shut line and over-styled rear bumper, detracted from its overall aesthetic. The Apex Edition further amplified these design quirks.

For those seeking a more understated look, the Corolla L, LE, or XLE offered a more anonymous appearance. The Corolla Hybrid provided an affordable path to better fuel efficiency, sharing its powertrain with the Toyota Prius. The Corolla SE and XSE, with their sportier styling and more powerful engine, offered a dynamic driving experience. The XSE trim, in particular, featured a well-crafted interior with soft leatherette materials and a minimalist design, providing a sense of substance and quality.

The 2020 MINI Cooper had a storied reputation for performance, known for its nimble quickness and ability to carve corners with ease. The Cooper S trim continued this legacy with its 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, producing 189 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. The electric SE trim, with its 181 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque, offered a similar level of performance, thanks to the immediacy of the electric motor's torque delivery. The SE's regenerative braking system allowed for one-pedal driving, although some drivers preferred the less aggressive setting.

Despite the added weight of the SE's battery, the car maintained a low centre of gravity, providing a planted feel in corners. The SE's direct steering, limited body roll, and wide-open sight lines contributed to the classic MINI driving experience. The gas-powered Coopers offered a choice of a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission or an eight-speed automatic, while the SE used a single-speed gearbox. The lack of a manual transmission in 2020 was surprising, but a six-speed manual was set to return in 2021.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla SE and XSE models featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 169 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. The Dynamic Shift CVT, with its mechanical first gear, provided a smooth driving experience, while the Sport driving mode and paddle shifters added a touch of sportiness. The Corolla's TNGA platform, with its low centre of gravity, contributed to enjoyable driving dynamics. The XSE trim offered predictable handling characteristics, making it a competent compact car.

The Corolla's fuel efficiency was impressive, with an average of 7.6 L/100 km on a mountainous route. The car's driving modes and paddle shifters allowed for a customizable driving experience, while the electric steering and suspension system provided a comfortable ride. Overall, the Corolla SE and XSE offered a balance of performance and efficiency, appealing to those seeking a sporty yet practical compact car.

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 a more competitive 371 litres. The MINI Convertible had only 161 litres of cargo space, but dropping the rear seats in the SE trim increased capacity to 730 litres. Despite the limited space, the MINI Cooper's interior was thoughtfully designed, with two-zone automatic air conditioning and high-quality materials.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla XSE offered numerous upgrades over the SE trim, including SofTex leatherette seats, heated rear seats, and an eight-way power driver's seat. The front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, but the seat cushion provided good support. The rear seats offered decent support, although headroom and legroom were tight. The Corolla sedan's trunk provided 371 litres of cargo space, with the hatchback offering 660 litres. The lack of a handle on the inside of the trunk lid was a minor inconvenience.

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

The 2021 Toyota Corolla added Android Auto as standard equipment, joining Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth. The Corolla SE featured an 8-inch touchscreen, while the XSE included Service Connect, Safety Connect, and Remote Connect. The XSE also offered SiriusXM functionality and navigation. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with physical knobs and shortcut buttons for easy access to menus.

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 awarded the 2020 MINI Cooper top marks, with "Good" scores in all crash tests.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla featured the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Corolla also added rear side-impact airbags and a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert. The IIHS awarded the 2020 Corolla a "Top Safety Pick" rating, while the NHTSA gave it a 5-star overall rating. The 2021 model required re-testing due to the addition of new airbags.