2021 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-ringed 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 gaudy, maintaining a balance of charm and sophistication. The introduction of the all-electric SE trim brought a new dimension to the Cooper lineup, offering similar performance and refinement to the S trim but with an electric motor. The SE's design closely mirrored that of the gas-powered Cooper S, with subtle differences like a slightly higher stance to accommodate the battery and unique EV-exclusive wheels. Inside, the Cooper's circular-themed design, premium materials, and thoughtful features like a circular touchscreen housing and ergonomic steering wheel contributed to a refined and enjoyable driving experience.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Camry aimed to break away from its past reputation of being a generic sedan by incorporating bold styling elements. The flared wheel arches and thin headlights and taillights gave the Camry a wider appearance, while the SE and XSE trims added visual clutter with fake vents. The LE and XLE trims featured a cleaner, albeit massive, grille. The Camry's interior mirrored its exterior's chaotic styling, with a mix of trim elements and materials that lacked a cohesive design theme. Despite this, the Camry offered a comfortable and supportive seating experience, with excellent outward visibility. The dashboard, however, felt like a mix of different parts, and the materials used appeared low-rent. Overall, the Camry's design was a departure from its predecessors, aiming for excitement but resulting in a somewhat disjointed aesthetic.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE excelled in performance, continuing the brand's legacy of nimble handling and quickness. Its electric motor delivered 181 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, powered by a 32.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack. While slightly less powerful than the Cooper S's 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, which produced 189 hp and 207 lb-ft, the SE's immediate torque delivery made it feel just as quick. The SE also outpaced the base Cooper, which had a 1.5-litre turbo three-cylinder engine with 134 hp and 162 lb-ft. The SE's regenerative braking system allowed for one-pedal driving, although some drivers preferred the less aggressive setting. Despite the added weight from the battery, the SE maintained a low centre of gravity, enhancing its cornering abilities. 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 2021 Toyota Camry offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque in FWD models, and slightly less in AWD versions. The XSE trim featured a dual-exhaust system, increasing output to 206 hp and 186 lb-ft. A 3.5-litre V6 engine was also available, delivering 301 hp and 267 lb-ft, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Camry Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre engine with electric assist for a total of 208 hp. Our SE Nightshade Edition test car had the base four-cylinder and AWD, offering a surprisingly engaging driving experience with a bubbly engine and responsive steering. The Camry's chassis struck a balance between handling and ride quality, making it enjoyable to drive. The TRD package, available since 2020, added performance enhancements like a lowered suspension and bigger brakes, further elevating the Camry's driving dynamics.

The 2020 MINI Cooper, while not ideal for carpooling or long trips, offered good front-seat space and a spacious feel thanks to its large windows. The backseat was small, best suited for children, and cargo space was limited, with 246 litres in the two-door model and 371 litres in the four-door. The convertible offered just 161 litres. Folding the rear seats in the SE provided 730 litres, still less than a Volkswagen Golf. Despite the limited space, the Cooper was thoughtfully designed, with features like two-zone automatic air conditioning and efficient heating. The interior materials felt premium, reflecting BMW's investment in the MINI brand.

The 2021 Toyota Camry provided generous rear headroom and legroom, though front space was below average. The front seats were adjustable and comfortable, with excellent visibility. Cargo space was 428 litres, average for a midsize sedan but less than the Honda Accord's 473 litres. In-cabin storage was limited, with small cupholders and door bottle holders. Toyota included analog controls for key functions, improving usability, though some controls were a long reach from the driver's seat. Dual-zone automatic climate control was available on higher trims.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE featured an "eDrive" driver-information display that moved with the steering wheel, displaying info like speed, energy consumption, and remaining range. The SE's 32.6-kilowatt-hour battery offered a range of 177 kilometres, less than competitors like the Hyundai Kona Electric. The 6.5-inch touchscreen housed in a circular dash display included Bluetooth, navigation, and Apple CarPlay, with an 8.8-inch screen available on higher trims. The Premier+ trim added a wireless charging pad and head-up display.

The 2021 Toyota Camry's standard infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered a 9-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a nine-speaker JBL audio system. A 10-inch head-up display was available on XSE and XLE trims. The system was functional but lacked standout graphics. Standard USB ports and a 12-volt outlet were provided, with no additional ports on higher trims.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE lacked advanced safety features, with only front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera included in the Premier+ package. Forward-collision warning was standard, but automatic emergency braking was unavailable. The IIHS rated the Cooper "Good" in all crash tests, but the NHTSA had not rated it.

The 2021 Toyota Camry earned a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The TSS 2.5+ package included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and traffic-sign recognition. New features included enhanced adaptive cruise control and forward-collision warning capabilities. The Rear Seat Reminder was standard, and blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available.