2022 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback

The 2022 MINI Cooper adhered to its classic design roots while incorporating modern elements, resulting in a car that exuded personality and was fun to drive, especially in the Cooper S and JCW specifications. Over the years, the MINI lineup expanded to include various body styles, and the cars themselves grew larger for utility and safety reasons. The 2022 refresh brought restyled bumpers, a new grille, standard LED headlights, and new paint colors, among other updates. Inside, the MINI Convertible maintained its retro charm with modern technology, including a new steering wheel and an 8.8-inch touchscreen display. However, the refreshed styling did not resolve the awkward proportions of the third-generation design, and the emphasis on form over function could result in a cluttered interior.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback aimed to capture a significant share of the hatchback market, which was dwindling as consumers shifted to small crossover SUVs. The redesigned Civic hatchback, produced in Indiana, shared its front design with the Civic sedan but featured a unique rear design. The Sport Touring trim added sophisticated digital instrumentation and infotainment displays, enhancing its modern appeal. The Civic hatchback offered a comfortable and functional interior, though some passengers noted the lack of a seat-height adjuster for the front passenger seat and rear air conditioning vents. Overall, the Civic hatchback provided a practical and enjoyable driving experience, with a focus on comfort and functionality.

The 2022 MINI Cooper offered a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with 134 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, taking over eight seconds to reach 60 mph. The Cooper S variant featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 189 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, achieving 60 mph in under seven seconds. Both engines were available with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and the MINI Convertible was front-wheel drive. The JCW models had a tuned version of the Cooper S engine, producing 235 horsepower and 228 pound-feet of torque, reaching 60 mph in just over six seconds. Despite its sporting nature, the MINI Convertible's steering response and brake pedal feel were disappointing, and the car's tires struggled with aggressive cornering.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque in the LX and Sport trims. The EX-L and Sport Touring trims featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, with peak torque available from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm. The Civic hatchback was front-wheel drive, with a choice of a CVT or a six-speed manual transmission in the Sport and Sport Touring trims. The CVT worked well with the turbocharged engine, while the manual transmission provided a satisfying driving experience. The Civic hatchback offered a balanced ride, with firm suspension tuning and responsive steering, though the brakes could fade during aggressive driving.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible prioritized form over function, with comfortable front seats but essentially useless rear seats. The trunk offered just 5.2 cubic feet of space, accessible through a bottom-hinged lid. Interior storage was limited, and the infotainment system's physical controls were hard to reach. While the MINI Convertible's small size was expected, those needing more space could opt for other MINI models like the Hardtop 4 Door, Clubman, or Countryman.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback excelled in functionality, with a generous 24.5 cubic feet of trunk space and a two-piece cargo shade. The back seat featured a 60/40-split folding design, though the load floor was not flat. All seating positions were comfortable, but some passengers noted the lack of a seat-height adjuster for the front passenger seat and rear air conditioning vents. The driver enjoyed an eight-way power-adjustable seat, and the EX-L and Sport Touring trims featured black leather upholstery and dual-zone automatic climate control.

The 2022 MINI Cooper introduced a new MINI Connected infotainment system with an 8.8-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa integration, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The system featured LED lighting and on-screen graphics that changed with vehicle settings. A head-up display and a Harman Kardon premium sound system were available. The digital instrument cluster and infotainment screens performed well, even in a convertible.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback featured a new infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen display in the LX, Sport, and EX-L trims, and a 9-inch touchscreen display in the Sport Touring trim. The Sport Touring trim also offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, wireless smartphone charging, navigation, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The inclusion of physical knobs for sound system controls and a small shelf for steadying the hand improved usability. The voice recognition system worked well, and the digital instrumentation included a 7-inch screen in lower trims and a 10.2-inch display in the Sport Touring trim.

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 MINI Convertible came with standard Driving Assistant technology, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Adaptive cruise control was available with the automatic transmission, but blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were not offered.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback came with the Honda Sensing suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, Road Departure Mitigation, and Lane Keeping Assist. New features included low-speed following capability and Traffic Jam Assist, available only with the CVT. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning were available in the EX-L and Sport Touring trims. The Civic hatchback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, thanks to its advanced safety features and improved crash protection.