2022 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Audi A4

The 2022 Audi A4 presented a clean and conservative aesthetic, serving as an ideal backdrop for its striking Tango Red paint and Black Edition package. The classic five-arm rotor-design wheels added a touch of automotive design perfection. Inside, the A4 maintained a restrained elegance with black interiors accented by aluminum trim and metallic highlights, avoiding a cave-like feel. The 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit digital instrumentation panel and ambient lighting enhanced the high-quality materials, although the tablet-style touchscreen seemed like an afterthought in the otherwise cohesive design.

In contrast, the 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible exuded personality with its refreshed styling, including restyled bumpers, a new grille, and standard LED headlights. Despite its playful appearance, the new grille accentuated the car's awkward proportions. Inside, the MINI combined retro charm with modern technology, offering a wide range of customization options. The convertible top, which opened in 18 seconds, provided an open-air experience unique to the MINI. However, the emphasis on design over function resulted in a cluttered interior, especially when heavily customized.

The 2022 Audi A4 offered two engine options. The 40 TFSI model featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, achieving 8.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. It accelerated to 100 km/h in approximately 6.5 seconds. The 45 TFSI model, tested here, delivered 261 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, reaching 100 km/h in about 5.4 seconds with a fuel economy of 8.8 L/100 km. Both engines required premium gas and offered multiple driving modes. The A4's Quattro Ultra AWD system provided a refined driving experience, with the 45 TFSI model offering a dynamic and rewarding drive, though it didn't feel as fast as claimed.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible came with a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine producing 134 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, reaching 100 km/h in 8.7 seconds. The Cooper S variant, tested here, featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 189 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, achieving 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds. Both engines offered manual and automatic transmission options, with the Cooper S providing a sporty yet compliant ride. The JCW model offered even more power, but the Cooper S was not a sports car, lacking the go-kart handling of earlier models. The steering and brake response were less precise, and the car's dynamic behaviour felt inconsistent.

The 2022 Audi A4, with its low stance, posed challenges for entry and exit, compounded by small door openings and a snug cabin. However, once inside, the front seats offered exceptional comfort with power adjustments and a thigh-support cushion. The rear seats, though supportive, lacked legroom and were best suited for short trips. Interior storage was limited, with the centre console bin occupied by a wireless charging pad. The 340-litre cargo space was well-finished, with enclosed hinges and storage nets, providing ample room for luggage.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible prioritized form over function, with comfortable front seats but nearly unusable rear seats. The trunk offered just 147 litres of space, accessible through a bottom-hinged lid. Interior storage was minimal, with the infotainment controls consuming valuable space. While the MINI's limited space was expected, other models in the lineup offered more practicality. The Convertible's design focused on style, with less emphasis on passenger and cargo capacity.

The 2022 Audi A4 featured the MIB3 version of Audi's Multi-Media Interface (MMI) with a 10.1-inch touchscreen. Despite its inelegant placement, the system was intuitive, supporting smartphone-like functions and offering acoustic feedback. It included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The MMI's user-friendly interface and separate climate controls made the lack of physical buttons a non-issue. The voice recognition was accurate but slow, and the head-up display was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 MINI Cooper introduced a new MINI Connected infotainment system with an 8.8-inch touchscreen. The system featured LED lighting and customizable widgets, offering Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, and BMW-based connected services. The digital instrument cluster and head-up display were visible even with polarized sunglasses. The optional Harman Kardon sound system provided impressive sound quality, overcoming ambient noise. The infotainment system, based on BMW's iDrive, was intuitive, though the physical controls were less accessible.

The 2022 Audi A4 offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, with more available on higher trims. The Technik model included Audi Pre Sense, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system were also available. The A4 received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though the adaptive cruise control's delayed reaction required driver intervention.

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 Convertible included standard Driving Assistant technology with forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. Adaptive cruise control was optional, but blind-spot monitoring was unavailable, posing visibility challenges. The lane-departure warning system was effective, providing subtle feedback to the driver.