2023 MINI Cooper vs 2023 Acura Integra

The 2023 Acura Integra was a testament to Acura's cohesive design language, seamlessly fitting into the brand's lineup with its pentagonal grille, JewelEye headlights, and sharply creased character lines. It replaced the ILX compact sedan, offering a more modern five-door liftback design reminiscent of the third-generation Integra. The car's wide track and long wheelbase gave it a solid, planted look, while the embossed "Integra" name added a nostalgic touch. Inside, the Integra shared some similarities with the Honda Civic, but with enough unique features to maintain its premium feel. The Elite A-Spec trim level added microsuede inserts for a sporty touch, although the lack of ventilated seats was a downside.

The 2023 MINI Cooper, available as a two-door hatchback, four-door hatch, or two-door convertible, retained its iconic design, larger than its predecessors but still compact. Its bug-eyed, bulldog-like appearance, with tires stretched to the corners, was both cute and authentic. The JCW model featured a gradient paint effect and 18-inch wheels, adding to its playful charm. Inside, the Cooper's Chesterfield leather seats and toggle switches gave it a unique, retro feel. The manual gear shifter and clutch pedal added to the driving experience, while the fit and finish were of high quality. The Cooper's design was both playful and functional, with features like roof rails on the convertible model enhancing its practicality.

The 2023 Acura Integra introduced a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine, delivering 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. The Elite A-Spec trim offered a six-speed manual transmission with rev-matching technology, making gear changes smooth and engaging. The Integra's handling was impressive, with a firm suspension and variable-ratio electric power steering providing a sporty yet comfortable ride. The car's wide track and long wheelbase contributed to its stability, although it was only available with front-wheel drive. The Integra's three drive modes—Comfort, Normal, and Sport—allowed drivers to tailor the driving experience to their preferences.

The 2023 MINI Cooper JCW was the quickest in the lineup, with a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The six-speed manual transmission offered an engaging driving experience, although clutch take-up was abrupt. The Cooper's handling was nimble, with a stiff suspension and adaptive dampers providing flat cornering. However, the steering lacked immediacy, detracting from the promised "go-kart" experience. The JCW's fuel economy was less impressive, with ratings of 10.7/7.5/9.3 L/100 km for the manual and 9.3/6.9/8.2 for the automatic. The electric MINI Cooper SE offered 183 kilometres of range, maintaining similar output to the gasoline Cooper S.

The 2023 Acura Integra's liftback design offered practicality with 688 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats. However, the high lift-over height made loading heavy items challenging. The interior was spacious for front passengers, with a logical dashboard layout and smart storage solutions. Rear legroom was decent, but headroom was limited due to the sloped roofline. The back seat cushions were notably soft, adding comfort for passengers.

The 2023 MINI Cooper offered good outward visibility and ample front seat space. The two-door model's rear bench and cargo hold were limited, with just 254 litres of space, expanding to 962 litres with seats folded. The four-door model provided more cargo space, with 368 litres and 1,160 litres with seats up and down, respectively. The convertible model had 226 litres of cargo space, with a tailgate that folded down for easy access. The convertible's roof rails allowed the fabric section to slide back like a sunroof, enhancing the open-air experience. The MINI's instrument panel featured a matte finish, while the infotainment system used both a touchscreen and console buttons.

The 2023 Acura Integra came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. The Elite A-Spec trim added a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, and a head-up display. The ELS Studio 3D premium audio system with 16 speakers provided an exceptional listening experience. The Integra's technology offerings were comprehensive, especially in the top-tier trim.

The 2023 MINI Cooper featured an 8.8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM, and LED headlights. The Premier 2.0 trim added a panoramic moonroof and heated seats, while the Premier+ 2.0 trim offered wireless charging and a head-up display. The infotainment system used older BMW iDrive software, lacking the slick interface of newer BMW models. Unique features like the Openometer and animated dashboard lights added a playful touch to the Cooper's technology suite.

The 2023 Acura Integra set a high standard for safety, with features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control included across all trims. The Elite A-Spec trim added low-speed braking control and parking sensors. The Integra received a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 MINI Cooper came with eight airbags, rear parking sensors, and forward-collision warning. However, it lacked blind-spot monitoring and other advanced safety features. Adaptive cruise control was available on certain automatic models. The NHTSA had not rated the 2023 model, but the IIHS gave the structurally identical 2014 model high ratings in most crash tests.