2022 MINI Cooper vs 2023 Cadillac CT5

The 2022 MINI Cooper, with its refreshed styling, continued to charm with its iconic design, reminiscent of the original MINI models. Despite its growth over the years, the MINI retained its playful character, evident in its restyled bumpers, new grille, and standard LED headlights. The addition of new paint colours like Island Blue and Zesty Yellow, along with the Piano Black Exterior treatment, enhanced its visual appeal. Inside, the MINI offered a blend of retro charm and modern technology, featuring a new steering wheel and an updated infotainment system with a standard 8.8-inch touchscreen display. However, the MINI's emphasis on form over function resulted in a cluttered interior, and its awkward proportions were not entirely resolved by the refreshed design.

In contrast, the 2023 Cadillac CT5-V stood out with its unique light grey metallic colour called Rift and 19-inch aluminum wheels with a Pearl Nickel finish. The CT5-V's design was a rare sight on Canadian roads, drawing attention with its precise proportions and styling details. The sporty version of the midsize luxury sedan, the CT5-V, offered a balance between performance and luxury, positioned between the standard CT5 and the high-performance CT5-V Blackwing. The interior of the CT5-V combined high-quality materials with some less impressive details, but it provided a comfortable and spacious cabin. The CT5-V's technology was user-friendly, with a focus on simplicity, and it included features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a Bose 15-speaker premium audio system, and an optional head-up display.

The 2022 MINI Cooper offered a choice of engines, starting with a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine producing 134 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. This engine allowed the MINI to accelerate to 100 kilometres per hour in 8.7 seconds. For more spirited performance, the Cooper S featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 189 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, achieving the same speed in 7.2 seconds. The MINI Convertible was front-wheel drive, with a choice between a six-speed manual and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Cooper S test car, equipped with a manual transmission, provided a lively driving experience, though it lacked the go-kart handling of earlier MINI models. The JCW models offered even more power, with a tuned version of the Cooper S engine producing 235 horsepower and 228 pound-feet of torque, reaching 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V, on the other hand, was powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 engine, generating 360 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. This engine allowed the CT5-V to accelerate to 100 kilometres per hour in approximately five seconds. The CT5-V featured a 10-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive as standard and all-wheel drive available as an option. The car offered various driving modes, including Tour, Sport, Track, My Mode, and V-Mode, allowing drivers to tailor the car's performance to their preferences. The CT5-V's performance-tuned Magnetic Ride Control adaptive damping suspension and Brembo front brakes contributed to its impressive handling and braking capabilities. However, the CT5-V's steering lacked feel and feedback, and the car's overall refinement was not on par with its German rivals.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible prioritized form over function, with comfortable front seats but essentially useless rear seats. The trunk offered just 147 litres of cargo space, accessible through a bottom-hinged lid. Storage space in the cabin was limited, with the infotainment system's controls taking up valuable real estate on the centre console. While the MINI's compact size was part of its charm, it was not practical for those needing rear passenger room or a large cargo area. Other MINI models, like the 4-Door Hardtop, Clubman, and Countryman, offered more practicality but lacked the Convertible's open-top experience.

In contrast, the 2023 Cadillac CT5-V provided a more spacious and comfortable interior. The front seats were 18-way power-adjustable, with optional genuine leather and ventilated front seats. The rear seats offered good thigh support and knee clearance, though the door frame's cut made entry and exit less graceful. The CT5-V's trunk, however, was small and narrow, offering just 337 litres of cargo space. Despite this limitation, the CT5-V provided some hidden storage under the trunk floor and a deep well for additional items. The car's interior featured functional storage areas, including a wireless smartphone charging pad and a slot for securing devices during spirited driving.

The 2022 MINI Cooper introduced a new MINI Connected infotainment system with a standard 8.8-inch touchscreen display. The system offered Apple CarPlay connectivity, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and BMW-based connected services. Navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a Harman Kardon premium sound system were available options. The infotainment system was based on BMW's iDrive technology, paired with a digital instrument cluster. A head-up display was also available, and the optional Harman Kardon sound system provided impressive sound quality.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V featured the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system, with a 10-inch touchscreen display and a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and OnStar and Cadillac Connected Access services. The CT5-V also offered wireless smartphone charging, natural voice recognition, and a Bose 15-speaker premium audio system. An embedded navigation system was optional, and the CT5-V could be equipped with a head-up display, a high-definition surround-view camera, and a Performance Data Recorder.

The 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible came with newly standard Driving Assistant technology, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Adaptive cruise control was available for models with an automatic transmission. However, the MINI lacked a blind-spot monitoring system and rear cross-traffic alert, which were notable omissions given the car's visibility challenges with the top raised. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had published crash-test ratings for the latest MINI Convertible.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V was equipped with the Cadillac Smart System, which included forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and a vibrating Safety Alert Seat. Additional driver-assistance features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The optional Super Cruise 1 Package added hands-free driving assistance technology, combining adaptive cruise control, lane-centring, and lane-change systems. Super Cruise was impressive but required the driver to remain attentive and ready to take control when necessary.