2022 MINI Cooper vs 2021 Nissan Altima

The 2021 Nissan Altima presented a strong family identity with its bold V-Motion grille, available in chrome or dark chrome, tastefully adorned with the Nissan logo. Its overall shape was sleek and aerodynamic, featuring a sloping "coupe-like" roofline. The body design leaned more towards folds than curves, giving it a taut and trim essence. Despite a mildly ungainly stance due to its short dash-to-axle distance, the Altima maintained a contemporary look with modern features like standard LED lighting and alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 19 inches. The fit and finish were exceptional, with deep lustrous paint and rich chrome details, available in six exterior colours with premium options.

Inside, the Altima's dashboard was uncluttered and intelligently laid out, featuring a standard 8-inch touchscreen display for safety and convenience. The instrument panel was designed to minimize glare, enhancing visibility. While the base model felt somewhat stripped-down, higher trims offered improved interior materials, including stitching on the dash and seats, providing a better hand feel. The Altima was a testament to getting what you paid for, with its interior quality improving as you moved up the trim levels.

The 2022 MINI Cooper, on the other hand, adhered to its iconic design roots while embracing modernity. Over the years, the MINI had grown, expanding its lineup to include various body styles. The 2022 model year brought refreshed styling with restyled bumpers, a new grille, and standard LED headlights. The car's personality was evident in its Union Jack taillights and reworked details, including side scuttle designs and wheel arch trim. New paint colours and the Piano Black Exterior treatment added to its charm.

Inside, the MINI Convertible exuded personality with a retro feel overlaid with modern technology. The wide range of colours, materials, and options allowed for personalization. The convertible top, which could be lowered in about 18 seconds, provided an open-to-the-elements experience. However, the emphasis on design over function resulted in a cluttered interior. The Cooper S specification offered spirited driving, but the car's proportions and design choices sometimes compromised practicality and driving satisfaction.

The 2021 Nissan Altima in Canada was equipped with a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. It featured Nissan's Xtronic CVT and standard all-wheel drive, a rarity among mid-size sedans in Canada. The AWD system was front-wheel biased but could send up to 50% of torque to the rear wheels when needed. Fuel consumption ratings were 9.1 L/100 km city, 6.5 highway, and 7.9 combined for the base model, with slight variations for higher trims. The Altima's suspension setup included four-wheel independent suspension with stabilizer bars, providing decent feedback and feel.

The 2022 MINI Cooper offered a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine with 134 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 8.7 seconds. The Cooper S variant featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 189 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque, reaching 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds. Both engines offered a choice between a six-speed manual and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive. The Cooper S test car had a manual transmission, providing a spirited driving experience. However, the MINI's steering response and brake pedal feel were less satisfying, and the car's tires struggled with aggressive cornering.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured Nissan's Zero Gravity front seats, praised for their comfort on long drives. Power adjustment and front seat heating were standard, with additional features available on higher trims. The front cabin offered ample storage, including a large glovebox, centre console storage bin, and door pockets. The rear seats provided sufficient headroom and legroom for two adults, with a 60/40 split-folding design for trunk access. The trunk had a capacity of 436 litres.

In contrast, the 2022 MINI Cooper prioritized form over function, especially in the Convertible model. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats were nearly unusable, even for children. The trunk offered just 147 litres of space, accessible through a bottom-hinged lid. Cabin storage was limited, with the infotainment system's controls consuming valuable space. While practicality was not the MINI's strong suit, other models in the lineup offered more passenger and cargo space.

The 2021 Nissan Altima came equipped with a range of standard tech features, including keyless entry, pushbutton start, remote engine start, Bluetooth, and a rear-view camera. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with an 8-inch NissanConnect touchscreen infotainment system. Higher trims offered additional features like a Bose audio system and Nissan Door to Door Navigation.

The 2022 MINI Cooper introduced a new MINI Connected infotainment system with an 8.8-inch touchscreen display. The system featured LED lighting with 12 colours and offered Apple CarPlay connectivity, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a Harman Kardon sound system were available. The infotainment system was based on BMW's iDrive technology, paired with a digital instrument cluster. A head-up display was also available, visible even with polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, and lane-departure warning. The Platinum grade offered ProPilot Assist for highway driving assistance. The Altima received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick + rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 MINI Cooper benefited from its increased size, offering better protection in collisions. However, it lacked crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS. The MINI Convertible included standard Driving Assistant technology, with features like forward-collision warning and lane-departure warning. Adaptive cruise control was available, but blind-spot monitoring was not offered.