2023 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Dodge Charger

The 2022 Dodge Charger, despite its roots tracing back to a platform from 2005, presented a modern and menacing exterior design that was heavily facelifted in 2015. This full-size sedan, sharing its platform with the Dodge Challenger and Chrysler 300, offered a more contemporary look compared to its muscle-car-styled counterpart. Inside, the Charger's cabin felt somewhat dated, with thick bezels and chunky controls reminiscent of a small truck. However, its straightforward layout and ease of use compensated for the lack of cutting-edge design.

In contrast, the 2023 MINI Cooper, available as a two-door hatchback, four-door hatch, or convertible, maintained its iconic, playful design. Larger than its predecessors due to safety regulations, the MINI still appeared compact, especially next to larger vehicles like the Toyota Camry. The Cooper's design was simple yet authentic, with its bug-eyed, bulldog-like stance and vibrant colour options. Inside, the MINI's interior was slightly more mature, featuring Chesterfield leather seats and a unique dashboard design with a giant circular touchscreen and toggle switches. The fit and finish were high, and the interior, though abstract, never felt cheap.

The 2022 Dodge Charger offered a range of powerful engines, starting with a 3.6-litre V6 producing 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in the SXT and GT models. The R/T trim introduced a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with 370 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque. The Scat Pack 392 took performance further with a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 delivering 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The SRT Hellcat, with its supercharged 6.2-litre Hemi V8, produced 717 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, while the Redeye and Jailbreak variants pushed power to 797 hp and 807 hp, respectively. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and rear-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on V6 models. The Hellcat's acceleration was remarkable, reaching 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds, with a top speed of 315 km/h.

The 2023 MINI Cooper JCW was the quickest in its lineup, featuring a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine, shared with some BMW models, provided smooth revs and strong pulls, with minimal turbo lag. The six-speed manual transmission offered an engaging driving experience, though clutch take-up was abrupt. The Cooper S models had a detuned version of the JCW engine, producing 189 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque, while the base models featured a 1.5-litre inline-three turbo engine with 134 hp and 162 lb-ft. The electric MINI Cooper SE offered 183 km of range. Despite its small size, the MINI's handling was enjoyable, though not as reactive as advertised, and the ride was firm.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, a large sedan, offered ample legroom in both rows, though headroom was limited, especially in the rear. The high centre console and performance bucket seats created an intimate driving experience. Storage space was limited, with a smaller centre console bin and trays. The Charger provided 467 litres of trunk space, though the small trunk lid and high rear bumper made loading large items challenging. Despite these limitations, the Charger offered sports-car performance with four doors and a usable trunk, enhancing its versatility.

The 2023 MINI Cooper, true to its name, was compact, with good outward visibility and ample front seat legroom and headroom. The two-door model's rear bench and cargo hold were limited, with just 254 litres of space, expanding to 962 litres with seats folded. The four-door model offered more cargo space, with 368 litres and 1,160 litres with seats up and down, respectively. The convertible model had 226 litres of cargo space, with a tailgate that folded down for easier access. The convertible's roof rails allowed the fabric section to slide back like a sunroof. The MINI's instrument panel had a matte finish, and the infotainment system featured a glowing ring that responded to various controls.

The 2022 Dodge Charger featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with the Uconnect infotainment system, known for its user-friendly interface. An 8.4-inch version was optional on the base SXT and standard on other trims, offering larger icons for easier use. Both screens included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. While not the most advanced, the Charger's technology blended well with conventional controls, providing a straightforward user experience.

The 2023 MINI Cooper came standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, and LED headlights. The Cooper S models in Premier 2.0 trim added a panoramic moonroof and heated leatherette seats. Wireless phone charging and a head-up display were available on the Premier+ 2.0 trim. The infotainment system used older BMW iDrive software, with an Openometer and other unique features. However, it lacked the slick interface and features found in newer BMW models.

The 2022 Dodge Charger offered limited standard safety features, including a backup camera and rear parking sensors. Optional features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Charger received a Marginal rating in the IIHS driver’s side overlap test and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 MINI Cooper came standard with eight airbags, rear parking sensors, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. However, it lacked blind-spot monitoring and other features available in similarly priced cars. Adaptive cruise control was available on certain versions. The NHTSA had not rated the 2023 model, but the structurally identical 2014 model received high ratings from the IIHS.