2022 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Lexus IS

The 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance was a nod to its predecessor, the 2008 Lexus IS F, maintaining the essence of a powerful, naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 engine. This engine produced 472 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque, channelled to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The car's exterior styling was subtly aggressive, with a raised hood and quad exhaust outlets, while the interior offered a blend of luxury and sportiness, featuring quality materials and a user-friendly infotainment system. Despite its high price, the IS 500 F Sport Performance was praised for its thrilling driving experience and comfort, making it a compelling choice for enthusiasts.

In contrast, the 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible retained its iconic design while incorporating modern updates. The refreshed model featured restyled bumpers, a new grille, and standard LED headlights, maintaining its distinctive MINI charm. Inside, the MINI Convertible combined retro aesthetics with modern technology, offering a customizable interior with various colours and materials. However, the car's design prioritized form over function, resulting in limited rear seat space and storage. Despite these limitations, the MINI Convertible promised a fun driving experience, especially with the top down, appealing to those who valued style and personality.

The 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance was equipped with a robust 5.0-litre V8 engine, delivering 472 horsepower at 7,100 rpm and 395 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. This powertrain, paired with an eight-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission and a limited-slip differential, provided a thrilling driving experience. The car's adaptive variable suspension and Yamaha rear performance damper ensured a comfortable ride and stability at high speeds. Lexus claimed the IS 500 could accelerate to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, showcasing its impressive performance capabilities. However, the car's fuel efficiency was a drawback, averaging 13.3 litres per 100 kilometres during testing.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible offered a range of engine options, with the Cooper S model featuring a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 189 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. This engine allowed the MINI Convertible to reach 100 kilometres per hour in 7.2 seconds. The car offered a choice between a six-speed manual and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive as standard. While the MINI Convertible provided a fun driving experience, its steering response and brake pedal feel were less precise than expected. The car's fuel efficiency was slightly better than the Lexus, averaging 8.7 litres per 100 kilometres during testing.

The 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance offered a comfortable and well-equipped interior, with snug front seats providing excellent support and a driving position that enhanced control. The rear seats were adequate for average-height adults, but storage space was limited due to the touchpad controller occupying the centre console. The trunk space was also small, measuring just 305 litres. Despite these limitations, the IS 500 featured an excellent control layout, with clear buttons and knobs for easy operation.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible prioritized style over practicality, with comfortable front seats but essentially 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 taking up valuable space on the centre console. While the MINI Convertible's design was charming, it lacked the practicality of larger models in the MINI lineup, such as the 4-Door Hardtop, Clubman, and Countryman.

The 2022 Lexus IS featured a touchscreen infotainment system, solving previous ergonomic issues. The system included an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The IS 500 Premium added a 10.3-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, offering impressive sound quality. The dynamic voice command system was a standout feature, providing accurate and efficient voice recognition.

The 2022 MINI Cooper introduced a new MINI Connected infotainment system with an 8.8-inch touchscreen display. The system offered Apple CarPlay connectivity, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and BMW-based connected services. A head-up display and a Harman Kardon sound system were available options. The infotainment system, based on BMW's iDrive technology, paired with a digital instrument cluster, provided a modern and customizable user experience.

The 2022 Lexus IS came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, a comprehensive suite of safety features including driving assistance, collision warning, and emergency braking. The system was generally effective, though some features were occasionally intrusive. The IS received top safety ratings, earning a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

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 car featured standard Driving Assistant technology, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. Adaptive cruise control was available, but blind-spot monitoring was not, posing a challenge with the top raised.