2023 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Nissan Sentra

The 2022 Nissan Sentra maintained its sleek and modern design, reminiscent of a smaller Altima, which was a significant upgrade from its predecessors. Its low-slung, coupe-like appearance was complemented by a variety of bold colour options, including blue, burnt orange, and “Scarlett Ember,” with the option of a contrasting black roof. Inside, the Sentra boasted a modern yet straightforward layout, with user-friendly controls and a prominent touchscreen that served as the focal point of the front cabin. The Sentra was available in three trims: S, SV, and SR, each offering a range of features from basic necessities to more luxurious touches like premium upholstery and advanced infotainment systems.

In contrast, the 2023 MINI Cooper stood out with its unique and playful design, available as a two-door hatchback, four-door hatch, or two-door convertible. Despite its larger size compared to earlier models, it remained compact, with a design that was both simple and authentic. The MINI Cooper offered a variety of vibrant colours and design elements, such as gradient paint effects and distinctive wheels. Inside, the Cooper featured Chesterfield leather seats and a distinctive dashboard design with a large circular touchscreen and toggle switches. The interior was high in quality, though its abstract design might not appeal to everyone. The Cooper was available in several trims, including the JCW, which offered a more powerful engine and sportier features.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra was powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. It came standard with a six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive in Canada, with an optional CVT. While the engine was not particularly remarkable, the CVT managed power effectively, providing consistent performance in both city and highway settings. The Sentra's steering was well-weighted, and its cornering was sharp, making it suitable for commuting and occasional road trips. The suspension handled most road conditions well, though it struggled with harsher bumps.

The 2023 MINI Cooper JCW was the quickest in its lineup, featuring a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine with 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine, shared with some BMW models, offered smooth revs and strong pulls, with minimal turbo lag. The six-speed manual transmission had an abrupt clutch take-up, making it ideal for manual driving enthusiasts, while an eight-speed automatic was also available. The Cooper S models had a detuned version of the JCW engine, while base models featured a 1.5-litre inline-three turbo engine. The Cooper's handling was nimble, though not as reactive as advertised, and its firm ride might not suit all drivers. The electric MINI Cooper SE offered a range of 183 kilometres, maintaining similar output to the gasoline Cooper S.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra offered 404 litres of trunk space, which was competitive among small sedans, though not the largest. The trunk could be expanded with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench, though the ledge created by the bench could make loading larger items challenging. The Sentra's interior provided spacious seating in both rows, with ample headroom and legroom in the front. The centre console and door trays offered plenty of storage for personal items.

The 2023 MINI Cooper, true to its name, had limited cargo space, with the two-door model offering just 254 litres, expandable to 962 litres with the seats folded. The four-door model provided slightly more space, while the convertible had only 226 litres before folding the rear seats. The convertible's tailgate and roof rails offered unique features for loading and enjoying open-air driving. The MINI's interior featured a distinctive instrument panel and infotainment system, though some controls were awkwardly placed. The dashboard's glowing ring added a playful touch, responding to various driver inputs.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an 8-inch version available on higher trims. The system was user-friendly, with conventional buttons and dials for easy navigation. However, the graphics were somewhat outdated, and the lack of wireless connectivity options was a drawback compared to competitors.

The 2023 MINI Cooper featured an 8.8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, though Android Auto was unavailable. Standard features included SiriusXM satellite radio, LED headlights, and rain-sensing wipers. Higher trims added a panoramic moonroof and heated seats, with wireless charging and a head-up display available on select models. The infotainment system used older BMW iDrive software, lacking the advanced features found in newer BMWs. However, the MINI offered unique features like the Openometer and playful sounds and chimes.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra was equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and blind spot monitoring. It received top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, earning a "Top Safety Pick" award. However, the adaptive cruise control's abrupt braking was a concern.

The 2023 MINI Cooper came with eight airbags and standard safety features like forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking. However, it lacked some advanced safety features found in similarly priced cars. Adaptive cruise control was available on certain models, but there were no semi-automated driving assists. The NHTSA had not rated the 2023 model, but the structurally identical 2014 model received high ratings from the IIHS.