2023 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid continued to uphold its reputation as a reliable family sedan, maintaining its appeal with a futuristic and expressive design. The front end of the Camry Hybrid was particularly striking, featuring a sneering face and muscular features that gave it a modern edge. The base model came with 17-inch alloy wheels, while higher trims offered 18-inch and 19-inch options. Inside, the Camry Hybrid's interior was equally futuristic, with a sweeping dashboard design and a large infotainment touchscreen. The second row provided ample space and comfort, even for the middle seat, and the overall fit and finish were of high quality, showcasing Toyota's attention to detail.

In contrast, the 2023 MINI Cooper stood out with its unique and playful design, available as a two-door hatchback, four-door hatch, or convertible. The MINI Cooper's design was reminiscent of a bug-eyed bulldog, with its short, squat stance and tires pushed to the corners. The 2023 model introduced a gradient paint effect, adding to its charm. Inside, the MINI Cooper's interior was slightly more mature, featuring Chesterfield leather seats and a distinctive dashboard design with a giant circular touchscreen. The MINI Cooper's playful nature was evident in its design elements, such as the glowing ring on the dashboard that responded to various actions, adding a touch of whimsy to the driving experience.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid was designed for fuel efficiency rather than track performance. Its entry-level LE models achieved impressive fuel consumption ratings of 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 4.8 on the highway. The hybrid system combined a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing a total of 208 horsepower. The electronically controlled CVT sent power to the front wheels, and the SE and XSE models offered paddle shifters for a simulated six-speed transmission experience. The Camry Hybrid's handling was commendable, with a lower centre of gravity due to the lithium-ion battery pack placement, providing a more engaging driving experience compared to its gasoline-only counterpart.

The 2023 MINI Cooper JCW was the quickest in the lineup, boasting a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine with 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine, shared with certain BMW models, delivered smooth and powerful performance. The six-speed manual transmission offered an engaging driving experience, with Sport mode providing automatic rev matching on downshifts. The base MINI Cooper models featured a 1.5-litre inline-three turbo engine with 134 horsepower, while the Cooper S models had a detuned version of the JCW engine. The MINI Cooper's handling was nimble, but its steering response was not as immediate as expected, and the ride was firm. The electric MINI Cooper SE offered a range of 183 kilometres, maintaining similar output to the gasoline Cooper S.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid excelled in providing a comfortable and versatile interior. The driving position was reasonable and comfortable, with ample headroom and adjustable seating options. The front seats offered plenty of storage space, and the second row was easy to access, providing a roomy and comfortable environment. The Camry Hybrid's trunk space was generous, with 428 litres available, and the low-mounted battery pack allowed for a passthrough for longer items. Toyota's warranty coverage was comprehensive, with the hybrid battery covered for 10 years or 240,000 kilometres.

The 2023 MINI Cooper, true to its name, offered limited interior space. The two-door model's rear bench and cargo hold were cramped, with only 254 litres of cargo space. The four-door models provided slightly more room, with 368 litres of cargo space. Convertible models had even less space, but the tailgate design allowed for easier access. The MINI Cooper's interior featured a unique instrument panel with a matte finish, and the infotainment system used reskinned BMW iDrive software. The glowing ring on the dashboard added a playful touch, responding to various actions like revving the engine or adjusting the volume.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid was equipped with advanced technology features, including a premium JBL audio system with nine speakers, available on the XLE model. Embedded navigation was also offered on XLE models, while Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility were standard across all trims. The Camry Hybrid featured a smart key system, push-button start, and a projected-path feature for the rearview camera. Higher trims offered a 10-inch colour head-up display and additional luxury features, bringing the Camry Hybrid close to Lexus levels of technology.

The 2023 MINI Cooper came standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Cooper S models in Premier 2.0 trim added a panoramic moonroof and heated leatherette seats. The infotainment system used older BMW iDrive software, lacking some of the advanced features found in newer BMW models. The MINI Cooper's unique features included an Openometer, tracking convertible top usage, and playful sounds and chimes.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and automatic high beams. The Camry Hybrid also featured Toyota's Star safety system, with stability control, traction control, and anti-lock brakes. It came with 10 airbags and a blind-spot monitor on all trims except the base LE. The Camry Hybrid received the highest Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 MINI Cooper came standard with eight airbags, rear parking sensors, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. However, it lacked some advanced safety features like blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was available on certain versions with the automatic transmission. The NHTSA had not rated the 2023 MINI Cooper, but the IIHS had given the structurally identical 2014 model high ratings in five out of six crash tests.