2022 MINI Cooper vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat retained its exterior styling from the previous year, following a significant facelift in 2020. This update marked the first major design change for the sedan in nearly a decade. The Passat's body shell remained largely unchanged, with modifications to every panel except the roof, resulting in a strong resemblance to the smaller Volkswagen Jetta. This gave the Passat a more understated appearance compared to its more boldly styled competitors like the Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, and Toyota Camry. The Passat's smooth, rounded design, reminiscent of 1990s jellybean sedans, contributed to its aerodynamic efficiency, boasting a drag coefficient of 0.28. However, this didn't translate into significantly improved fuel efficiency. Standard features included LED headlights and taillights, 17-inch alloy wheels, and an Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) on Execline models.

Inside, the Passat's interior followed a clean and functional design philosophy, with analog controls strategically placed for ease of use. The dashboard's low profile enhanced forward visibility, while a low beltline improved side visibility, avoiding the bunker-like feel of many modern cars. However, some buyers might have found the interior somewhat plain, with limited brightwork and materials primarily consisting of plastic and leatherette upholstery. Despite this, the fit and finish were excellent, aligning with the Passat's positioning as a value option. The only questionable design choice was the flat-bottomed steering wheel, which seemed out of place in a non-sporty car.

The 2022 MINI Cooper, on the other hand, continued to embrace its iconic design roots while incorporating modern elements. The MINI brand, reintroduced two decades ago, adhered to the original MINI Mark I to Mark VII design principles while modernizing the Cooper. Over time, the MINI lineup expanded to include various body styles, including the Hardtop, Convertible, Clubman, and Countryman. The 2022 models received refreshed styling, featuring restyled bumpers, a new grille, standard LED headlights, and Union Jack taillights. New wheel designs and paint colours, such as Island Blue, Rooftop Grey, and Zesty Yellow, were added to the options menu. The Piano Black Exterior treatment extended to door handles, fuel lid, and exhaust outlets.

Inside, the MINI Convertible exuded personality with a retro-modern blend. The interior offered a wide range of customization options, allowing buyers to personalize their cars. The convertible top could be lowered in about 18 seconds at speeds up to 30 km/h, providing an open-air experience. However, the emphasis on design and glitz over simplicity and subtlety meant that the interior could become cluttered depending on the chosen specifications. The Cooper S test car, priced just under $50,000, featured the Sidewalk Edition option package with exclusive Deep Laguna Metallic paint. Pricing for Convertibles ranged from $31,090 to $43,640, with the potential to exceed $60,000 for a fully upgraded John Cooper Works model.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat featured a single powertrain option, a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. This engine produced 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. While the horsepower figure was slightly below average compared to competitors, the torque output was impressive, providing enough power to spin the wheels when accelerating from a stop. However, power delivery felt uneven at higher speeds, with slower response during highway overtakes. Switching to Sport mode or manually selecting gears improved performance, but a manual transmission option was not available. The Passat's driving experience was unremarkable, lacking the sportiness or comfort found in rivals like the Honda Accord, Mazda 6, and Toyota Camry. On the highway, ride quality and cabin noise levels were adequate but not exceptional.

In contrast, the 2022 MINI Cooper offered a range of engine options. The base Cooper model featured a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine producing 134 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 8.7 seconds. For more spirited performance, the Cooper S variant came with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 189 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, reaching 0-100 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, equipped with a manual transmission, provided ample torque for spirited driving. Fuel efficiency was rated at 8.1 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, but our testing averaged 8.7 L/100 km. The JCW models featured a tuned version of the Cooper S engine, producing 235 horsepower and 228 pound-feet of torque, with a 0-100 km/h time of 6.5 seconds.

While the Cooper S was not a sports car, it offered a sporty driving experience with maximum torque available at low RPMs. The manual transmission provided smooth gear changes, and the car delivered enjoyable acceleration. However, the test car lacked summer performance tires and an adaptive-damping suspension, resulting in a compliant ride with only a hint of MINI's signature go-kart handling. Sport mode added a downshift rev-matching feature for smoother spirited driving. Despite its fun factor, the MINI's steering response and brake pedal feel were disappointing, reducing driving satisfaction. The test car's tires struggled with aggressive cornering, and the rearview mirror's location obstructed visibility around right-hand curves. Wind buffeting was noticeable on highways, and the car's interior was loud at 120 km/h. The suspension felt firm and choppy on highways, and pavement seams affected stability. Overall, the 2022 MINI Cooper felt larger and more refined than its predecessors, with a diluted connection to the road.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat boasted roomy rear seats with 993 millimetres of legroom, although this was slightly less than competitors like the Honda Accord and Subaru Legacy. However, this rear legroom came at the expense of front legroom, which was below average for the segment. Front headroom was also limited compared to other midsize sedans. The Passat's driving position was uncomfortable, with limited front legroom and seats lacking thigh support. The rear seats felt flat and hard. The Passat offered 450 litres of cargo space, more than the Toyota Camry, Subaru Legacy, and Nissan Altima, but less than the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata. In-cabin storage was limited, with improperly shaped door bottle holders and a small smartphone cubby. The Passat excelled in control layout, featuring large buttons and knobs within easy reach, and an easy-to-read instrument cluster.

In contrast, the 2022 MINI Cooper prioritized form over function, especially in the Convertible model. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, but the rear seats were essentially useless, even for pre-teen children. The rear area was better suited for extra luggage space. The trunk offered just 147 litres of space, accessible through a bottom-hinged lid similar to a pickup truck's tailgate. Cabin storage was limited, with the infotainment system's controls occupying valuable space on the centre console. While the MINI's limited space was expected given its name, other MINI models like the 4-Door Hardtop, Clubman, and Countryman offered more practicality with rear passenger room and larger cargo areas.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat featured the MIB2 infotainment system with a 6.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capability, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Execline models included built-in navigation and an eight-speaker Fender premium audio system. Keyless entry was standard, along with a single USB-A port for connectivity. The touchscreen, though small, offered pinch-to-zoom capability, and basic functions like climate control and audio could be controlled via dashboard knobs and steering-wheel controls. While the Passat lacked flashy tech features like the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and newer MIB3 infotainment system, it provided a straightforward and user-friendly experience for drivers who preferred simplicity over a tech-heavy interface.

The 2022 MINI Cooper introduced the MINI Connected infotainment system with a standard 8.8-inch touchscreen display mounted within the classic centre dashboard décor ring. The LED lighting in the ring changed colours based on vehicle settings, such as driving mode or climate control use. The system allowed drivers to swipe between widgets, displaying radio information, maps, or other data. Apple CarPlay connectivity, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and BMW-based connected services were available. Navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a Harman Kardon premium sound system were optional. The infotainment system, based on BMW's iDrive technology, paired with a digital instrument cluster. While the screens occasionally washed out in direct sunlight, this was rarely an issue. A head-up display was available, visible even with polarized sunglasses. The optional Harman Kardon sound system provided impressive sound quality, overcoming ambient noise at highway speeds.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat received top "good" scores in all crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but its standard headlights earned a "marginal" rating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (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. Notable safety features included VW's Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System, which enhanced post-collision safety.

The 2022 MINI Cooper's increased size contributed to improved safety, as heavier vehicles generally offer better protection in collisions. However, neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had published crash-test ratings for the latest MINI Convertible. The 2022 model introduced standard Driving Assistant technology, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Adaptive cruise control was optional for automatic transmission models, capable of bringing the car to a full stop. Unfortunately, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were not available, posing visibility challenges with the top raised. The lane-departure warning system provided subtle steering wheel vibrations to alert drivers.