2022 MINI Cooper vs 2021 Honda Civic

The 2021 Honda Civic continued the tradition of its predecessors by offering a design that was both familiar and polarizing. Over the years, Honda had introduced various segment-defining models, and the 10th-generation Civic was no exception. It was available in multiple formats, including the sedan, hatchback, and the performance-oriented Type R. The 2021 model year saw the discontinuation of the two-door coupe and the temporary hiatus of the Civic Si. The Civic sedan, available in LX, EX, Sport, and Touring trims, offered a spacious interior akin to a midsize car from a decade ago. The Touring trim, with its Cosmic Blue Metallic paint and 18-inch wheels, presented a striking appearance, though opinions on its styling varied depending on the angle and lighting.

Inside, the Civic's cabin, while not as dramatic as when first introduced, still featured quality materials and thoughtful design. The infotainment system, however, showed its age with a maximum screen size of 7 inches. Despite this, the Civic remained a trendsetter in its segment, offering a blend of style and practicality that appealed to a wide range of buyers. The interior provided ample space for passengers and cargo, making it a practical choice for those seeking a compact car with midsize capabilities.

The 2022 MINI Cooper, on the other hand, retained its iconic design while incorporating modern updates. The MINI brand had expanded its lineup over the years, and the 2022 model year brought refreshed styling to the Hardtop and Convertible models. The new design included restyled bumpers, a new grille, and standard LED headlights, along with fresh wheel designs and new paint colours. The interior featured a new steering wheel and an updated infotainment system with an 8.8-inch touchscreen display. Despite these updates, the MINI Convertible's proportions remained awkward, with the new grille drawing attention to its overbite.

Inside, the MINI Convertible offered a retro-inspired design with modern technology. The wide range of colours and materials allowed for personalization, but the emphasis on form over function resulted in limited practicality. The rear seats were essentially unusable, and the trunk space was minimal. The driving experience, while still fun, lacked the raw, go-kart sensation of earlier models. The MINI Convertible was more about style and personality than practicality, appealing to those who valued design and driving enjoyment over functionality.

The 2021 Honda Civic offered a choice of two engines. The base models, including the LX, EX, and Sport trims, were equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) driving the front wheels. While adequate for everyday driving, the real excitement came with the turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine available in the Touring trim. This engine delivered 174 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, providing a more spirited driving experience. The Civic's sophisticated suspension and steering contributed to its composed and enjoyable handling, though the CVT's droning nature detracted from the overall experience. Despite this, the Civic excelled in fuel efficiency, averaging 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres during testing.

The 2022 MINI Cooper offered a range of engine options, starting with a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine producing 134 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. For those seeking more performance, the Cooper S featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 189 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. The MINI Convertible, equipped with the Cooper S engine and a six-speed manual transmission, provided a lively driving experience with plenty of torque for spirited driving. The JCW models offered even more power, with a tuned version of the Cooper S engine producing 235 horsepower and 228 pound-feet of torque. However, the MINI's steering and brake feel left something to be desired, and the tires struggled to handle aggressive driving. The MINI Convertible's ride quality varied, with a compliant feel on back roads but a firm, choppy ride on the highway.

The 2021 Honda Civic sedan offered a spacious interior with comfortable seating for both front and rear passengers. The driver's seat featured eight-way power adjustment, while the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. Leather upholstery was standard in the Touring trim. The rear seats provided excellent thigh support and a comfortable backrest angle, though the absence of rear air conditioning vents was a drawback. The Civic's centre console offered ample storage space, with trays, cupholders, and a deep centre bin. The trunk was generous for the class, with 428 litres of space, though the Touring trim's premium sound system reduced it to 416 litres.

In contrast, the 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible prioritized form over function. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, but the rear seats were essentially unusable, even for children. The trunk offered just 147 litres of space, accessible through a bottom-hinged lid. Interior storage was limited, with the infotainment system's controls taking up valuable space on the centre console. While the MINI's design was charming, it lacked practicality, making it less suitable for those needing passenger and cargo space.

The 2021 Honda Civic's technology was beginning to show its age. Standard features included a 5-inch LCD screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and HondaLink connected services. The Touring trim offered a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen, a 10-speaker audio system, HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, and on-board navigation. While the premium sound system was a nice addition, the voice recognition system was unsophisticated, requiring specific prompts for successful operation.

The 2022 MINI Cooper introduced a new MINI Connected infotainment system with a standard 8.8-inch touchscreen display. The system featured LED lighting with 12 colours, changing based on vehicle settings. It offered Apple CarPlay connectivity, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and BMW-based connected services. Navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a Harman Kardon premium sound system were available options. The system was based on BMW's iDrive technology and paired with a digital instrument cluster. A head-up display was also available, visible even with polarized sunglasses. The Harman Kardon sound system impressed with its ability to overcome ambient noise, though it didn't stun with its depth and clarity.

The 2021 Honda Civic came equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). This included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, road departure mitigation, and lane-keeping assist. The Civic also featured automatic high-beam headlights and a multi-angle rearview camera. LaneWatch, available on the EX trim and above, used a camera to monitor the right lane, though it had limitations. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, making it a safe choice for families.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible benefited from its increased size, offering better protection in collisions. However, it lacked crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS. The MINI Convertible featured newly standard Driving Assistant technology, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Adaptive cruise control was available for automatic transmission models. The absence of blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert was a drawback, given the visibility challenges with the top raised.