2022 MINI Cooper vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was a standout in the compact sedan category, thanks to its bold and distinctive design. It embraced Hyundai’s Sensuous Sportiness design language, featuring sharp creases and dramatic angles that gave it a unique and appealing look. The Z-shaped dent in the car’s doors, a controversial design cue, was intended to help the Elantra stand out and break conventional automotive design rules. The Elantra's interior varied in quality depending on the trim level, with the Ultimate trim offering a modern and upscale look with its light gray seats and dashboard, contrasting against the black cabin. Lower-grade interiors, however, were less impressive, with drab black interiors and noticeable glossy black plastic.

In contrast, the 2022 MINI Cooper retained its iconic design, reminiscent of the original MINI Mark I to Mark VII cars, while incorporating modern elements. The MINI had grown over the years, expanding its lineup to include various body styles. The 2022 model featured refreshed styling with restyled bumpers, a new grille, and standard LED headlights. Inside, the MINI Convertible exuded personality with its retro-modern design, offering a wide range of colours and materials for customization. However, the emphasis on design over function resulted in a cluttered interior, and the car's proportions remained awkward. Despite these quirks, the MINI Convertible promised a fun driving experience, especially with the top down.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, including a standard 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The Elantra Hybrid featured a 1.6-litre Atkinson-cycle engine combined with an electric motor, delivering 139 horsepower and impressive fuel efficiency. The Elantra N Line, with its turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, produced 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, offering a sporty driving experience. The high-performance Elantra N, with a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, generated 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, providing exhilarating performance and precise handling.

The 2022 MINI Cooper, on the other hand, came with a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine producing 134 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. The Cooper S variant offered a more powerful 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 189 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. The JCW models took performance up a notch with a tuned version of the Cooper S engine, delivering 235 horsepower and 228 pound-feet of torque. While the MINI Convertible provided a fun driving experience, it was not a sports car. The steering response and brake pedal feel were less precise, and the car's tires struggled during spirited driving.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was classified as a midsize car by Natural Resources Canada, offering a spacious interior with ample rear-seat legroom. The driver’s seat was height-adjustable, and the steering wheel was tilt/telescopic, ensuring comfort for the driver. However, the lack of a height-adjustable front passenger seat and the use of hard plastic for the upper door panels were drawbacks. The Elantra's trunk provided 402 litres of space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility.

In contrast, the 2022 MINI Cooper prioritized form over function, especially in the Convertible model. The rear seats were essentially useless, even for pre-teen children, and the trunk offered just 147 litres of space. The cabin lacked storage space, and the infotainment system's controls were hard to reach. While the MINI's limited space was expected, those seeking practicality would be better served by other MINI models like the 4-Door Hardtop or the Clubman.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a digital instrument cluster. The system included a dynamic natural voice recognition system and a Sounds of Nature function. A Bose premium audio system was available, providing impressive sound quality.

The 2022 MINI Cooper introduced a new MINI Connected infotainment system with an 8.8-inch touchscreen display. It offered Apple CarPlay connectivity, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and BMW-based connected services. The system was based on BMW’s iDrive technology and paired with a digital instrument cluster. A head-up display was available, and the optional Harman Kardon sound system delivered impressive audio quality.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was built on a new platform with multiple structural collision energy pathways. Most models came with SmartSense, Hyundai’s suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and more. Higher trims offered additional safety features like adaptive cruise control and rear automatic braking.

The 2022 MINI Cooper benefited from its increased size, offering better protection in collisions. It came with newly standard Driving Assistant technology, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. However, it lacked a blind-spot monitoring system, which was a drawback given the visibility challenges with the top raised.