2020 Toyota Camry vs 2020 MINI Cooper

The 2020 MINI Cooper was a standout on the road, with its distinctive design that was unmistakably MINI. Its wide-eyed LED headlights and grinning front grille exuded charm, while vibrant colour options and Union Jack taillights added to its appeal. Despite its unique styling, the Cooper managed to avoid being wasteful or gaudy, maintaining a balance of charm and sophistication. The MINI Cooper evolved from its original two-door hardtop to include a convertible and a four-door variant, and even introduced an all-electric SE trim. The SE retained much of the Cooper S's design, with slight modifications to accommodate its battery, such as a higher ride height and unique EV-exclusive wheels. Inside, the Cooper's circular design elements, premium materials, and refined feel set it apart from other cars of its size.

The 2020 Toyota Camry, on the other hand, marked a return to form for the model, with a renewed focus on quality and appeal. Its styling was more expressive than ever, with a bold front fascia and taut lines that gave it a sporty appearance. The Camry's design borrowed elements from BMW, with a character line across the doors and an upturned kink of the C-pillar. With 13 exterior colour options, including a black roof, the Camry aimed to be fashionable. Inside, the Camry used high-quality materials and a driver-focused dashboard design, making even the lower trim levels feel upscale. The Camry's interior combined sportiness with luxury, offering leather and wood in higher trims that rivaled entry-level Lexus models.

The 2020 MINI Cooper was known for its nimble quickness and ability to carve corners with ease. The Cooper SE, with its electric motor producing 181 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, offered performance close to the Cooper S's 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, which generated 189 hp and 207 lb-ft. The SE's immediate torque delivery made it feel quick off the line, and its regenerative braking system allowed for one-pedal driving. Despite a weight penalty due to its battery, the SE maintained a low centre of gravity, enhancing its handling. The SE used a single-speed gearbox, while gas-powered Coopers offered a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic or an eight-speed automatic in the John Cooper Works trim.

The 2020 Toyota Camry offered four distinct powertrains, including a 3.5-litre V6 with 301 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine provided smooth and powerful performance, giving the Camry luxury aspirations. The 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, available in both FWD and AWD, produced 203 hp (206 in XSE trim) and was paired with an eight-speed automatic. The lighter weight of the four-cylinder models improved steering feel, making the XSE trim particularly enjoyable to drive. The AWD system, similar to that in the RAV4, could send up to half of the engine's torque to the rear wheels when needed, without significantly impacting fuel efficiency. The Camry's fuel consumption ratings varied, with the FWD four-cylinder models achieving 7.6 L/100 km, while the V6 models managed 9.0 L/100 km.

The 2020 MINI Cooper was not designed for spaciousness, with limited rear-seat space best suited for children. The two-door Cooper offered 246 litres of cargo space, while the four-door variant increased this to 371 litres. The convertible model had just 161 litres of cargo space. Despite its compact size, the Cooper's interior was thoughtfully designed, with features like two-zone automatic air conditioning and ergonomic controls. The SE trim maintained the same interior space as other Coopers, thanks to its cleverly positioned battery.

The 2020 Toyota Camry provided a comfortable and familiar driving experience, with most controls easily accessible. The front seats offered increased legroom and hip room compared to the previous generation, but rear-seat legroom and overall passenger volume were slightly reduced. The Camry's trunk offered 428 litres of cargo space, comparable to the Honda Civic. The addition of AWD did not compromise the Camry's interior space, as Toyota made structural modifications to accommodate the system without affecting passenger or cargo areas.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE featured an "eDrive" driver-information display that moved with the steering wheel adjustments. The display provided information on speed, energy consumption, and remaining range, with a maximum range of 177 kilometres. The 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system included Bluetooth, navigation, and Apple CarPlay, with an 8.8-inch screen available on higher trims. The SE Premier+ trim also offered a wireless charging pad and a head-up display.

The 2020 Toyota Camry added Android Auto compatibility, joining Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio as standard features. The infotainment system, while functional, felt dated compared to competitors. The standard 7-inch screen could be upgraded to an 8-inch version, and higher trims offered a 10-inch head-up display. The Camry also featured Remote Connect, allowing smartphone control of locking, unlocking, and remote start on certain trims.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE lacked many advanced safety features, with only forward-collision warning as standard. The Premier+ package included parking sensors and a rear-view camera. The IIHS rated the MINI Cooper highly, with "Good" scores in all crash tests, but the NHTSA did not provide a rating.

The 2020 Toyota Camry included Toyota Safety Sense, with features like emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring was optional, and all models came with 10 airbags. The Camry received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. A recall for leaking engine coolant affected some models with 2.5-litre engines.