2020 MINI Cooper vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat

The 2020 MINI Cooper was a standout on the road, with its distinctive styling that included wide-eyed LED headlights 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 design, the Cooper managed to avoid being wasteful or gaudy, exuding a sense of charm that invited praise. 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 marked a significant step, offering similar performance and refinement levels as the S trim but with an electric motor. The SE maintained much of the Cooper's design, with the key difference being its slightly higher stance to accommodate the battery cells. Inside, the MINI Cooper's design was dominated by circles, with circular speakers, air vents, and a massive circular housing for the touchscreen infotainment system, delivering a premium feel unmatched in cars of its size.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat retained its exterior styling from the previous year, following a significant facelift in 2020. This update gave the Passat a strong familial resemblance to the smaller Volkswagen Jetta sedan, resulting in a more understated look compared to its rivals like the Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, and Toyota Camry. The Passat's smooth shape, reminiscent of the jellybean sedans of the 1990s, contributed to its aerodynamic efficiency, boasting a drag coefficient of 0.28. Standard features included LED headlights and taillights, along with 17-inch alloy wheels, while Execline models received 19-inch wheels and an Adaptive Front-lighting System. Inside, the Passat's interior was clean and functional, with analog controls well-placed for easy use. The dashboard's low profile enhanced forward visibility, while the low beltline provided good side visibility. However, the flat-bottomed steering wheel seemed out of place in such an un-sporty car. While some buyers might find the interior plain, the fit and finish were excellent, and the material choices were appropriate for the Passat's pricing and market positioning as a value option.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE excelled in performance, with its electric motor delivering 181 horsepower 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 immediacy of the electric motor's torque delivery made the SE feel just as quick when accelerating from a stop. The SE also outpaced the base Cooper, which had a 1.5-litre turbo three-cylinder engine producing 134 hp and 162 lb-ft. The SE's regenerative braking system helped keep its battery charged, with an aggressive default setting that allowed for one-pedal driving. Despite the SE's additional weight due to the battery, its low centre of gravity and direct steering maintained the classic MINI driving experience. Gas-powered Coopers offered either a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission or an eight-speed automatic, while the SE used a single-speed gearbox.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Passat featured a single powertrain option: a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. This engine produced 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, with the torque output being more impressive than the horsepower figure. The Passat's power delivery felt uneven at times, particularly during highway overtakes, but switching to Sport mode or manually selecting gears improved the response. The Passat's driving experience was unremarkable, lacking the sportiness or comfort found in competitors like the Honda Accord and Mazda 6. While the Passat provided good ride quality and cabin noise levels on the highway, it didn't offer much excitement on twisty roads.

The 2020 MINI Cooper hatchback was not ideal 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 hatchback provided a more competitive 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, still less than half of what a Volkswagen Golf offered. Despite the limited space, the MINI Cooper was thoughtfully designed, with features like two-zone automatic air conditioning and a particularly efficient heating system. The car's materials felt top-notch, reflecting BMW's investment in the MINI brand.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat boasted roomy back seats with 993 millimetres of rear legroom, although this came at the expense of front legroom, which was below average for the segment. The front seats lacked thigh support, and the rear seats felt flat and hard. The Passat offered 450 litres of cargo space, more than some competitors but less than others like the Honda Accord. In-cabin storage was limited, with door bottle holders improperly shaped for large bottles. However, the Passat excelled in the layout of its controls, with big buttons and knobs within easy reach from the driver's seat. The instrument cluster was easy to read and aesthetically matched the rest of the interior.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE featured a unique “eDrive” driver-information display connected to the steering wheel, displaying information such as vehicle speed, average energy consumption, and remaining charge. The SE's 32.6-kilowatt-hour battery allowed for a range of 177 kilometres, which was less competitive than other electric vehicles but suitable for urban drivers. The 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display 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 Volkswagen Passat came equipped with Volkswagen’s MIB2 infotainment system, featuring a 6.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capability, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Execline models included built-in navigation and an eight-speaker Fender premium audio system. A single USB-A port handled connectivity functions, and the touchscreen included pinch-to-zoom capability. While the Passat lacked flashy tech features like the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster, its straightforward approach with dashboard knobs and steering-wheel controls appealed to drivers seeking simplicity.

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 IIHS gave the 2020 MINI Cooper top "Good" scores in all crash tests, while the NHTSA had not rated it.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat received top “good” scores from the IIHS in all crash tests, although its standard headlights earned a “marginal” rating. The NHTSA had not published crash-test ratings for the 2021 Passat. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Execline grade added lane-keep assist and lane departure warning. VW’s Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System were also standard.