2022 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Honda Civic

The 2022 Honda Civic sedan was available in familiar trim levels: LX, EX, Sport, and Touring. In Canada, the pricing started at an MSRP of $24,465 for the LX and went up to $30,265 for the Touring, excluding a $1,700 destination charge. The Civic Touring, tested in the new Morning Mist Blue, had a total cost of $32,396, including destination charges. The Civic Sport, with Platinum White Pearl paint and the Honda Performance Development package, was estimated at $31,467. The redesigned 11th-generation Civic had a more conservative and plain appearance, resembling the larger Accord sedan. Its interior featured a minimalistic design with improved materials, especially in the Touring trim, reflecting a mature and tailored look.

The 2022 MINI Cooper, refreshed for the model year, retained its iconic design while incorporating modern updates. The lineup included the Hardtop, Convertible, Clubman, and Countryman, with the Hardtop and Convertible commonly referred to as the MINI Cooper. The 2022 models featured restyled bumpers, a new grille, standard LED headlights, and Union Jack taillights. New paint colours like Island Blue and Zesty Yellow were introduced, along with fresh wheel designs. The interior boasted a new steering wheel and a next-generation infotainment system with a standard 8.8-inch touchscreen. Despite the updates, the MINI Convertible's styling remained distinct, exuding personality and fun, though its proportions were somewhat awkward.

The 2022 Honda Civic offered two engine options. The LX, EX, and Sport trims featured a 2.0-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. The Touring trim came with a turbocharged 1.5-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine, delivering 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), with different CVTs for each engine. The Civic's Sport and Touring trims included a Sport transmission mode, enhancing responsiveness. The Civic's handling was enjoyable, with improved structural rigidity and suspension tuning. However, during a 150-kilometre test drive, the Civic Touring returned 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres, slightly higher than the estimated 6.9 L/100 km.

The 2022 MINI Cooper offered a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine with 134 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 8.7 seconds. The Cooper S featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 189 horsepower and 206 lb-ft 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. The Cooper S test car had a manual transmission, providing a spirited driving experience. The JCW models offered a tuned version of the Cooper S engine with 235 horsepower and 228 lb-ft of torque. However, the MINI's steering response and brake pedal feel were less satisfying, and the car's handling was not as sharp as expected.

The 2022 Honda Civic prioritized comfort, with redesigned front seats offering excellent support. The Touring trim featured leather-lined seats, with a power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front seats. The rear seat provided ample legroom, though the backrest angle might feel too reclined for some. The Civic's trunk offered 419 litres of space, or 408 litres with the Touring trim, accommodating full-size suitcases. The interior redesign included a new centre console with more accessible cupholders and a smaller storage area.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible focused on 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 limited, with the infotainment system's controls consuming valuable space. While the MINI's compact size was expected, other models in the lineup offered more practicality. The Convertible's design prioritized style and individuality over practicality.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured digital instrumentation, with the Touring trim offering a 10-inch display. The Vehicle Activity display provided information on headlight and taillight status, enhancing safety. The standard infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, and navigation. The system performed well, with improved voice recognition technology.

The 2022 MINI Cooper introduced a new MINI Connected infotainment system with an 8.8-inch touchscreen. The system offered Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, and BMW-based connected services. Navigation, wireless charging, and a Harman Kardon sound system were available. The infotainment system, 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 Harman Kardon sound system provided impressive audio quality, overcoming ambient noise.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured an upgraded Honda Sensing suite, including Traffic Jam Assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Lane Keeping Assist. The Civic also introduced a proper blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert. The vehicle's architecture was strengthened for improved collision protection, and new airbag designs enhanced safety. A rear-seat reminder system was standard.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible benefited from its increased size, offering better protection in collisions. However, crash-test ratings were unavailable. The MINI featured standard Driving Assistant technology, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Adaptive cruise control was optional, but blind-spot monitoring was not available. The lane-departure warning system provided subtle feedback to the driver.