2023 MINI Cooper vs 2023 Hyundai Elantra

The 2023 MINI Cooper, available as a two-door hatchback, four-door hatch, or two-door convertible, maintained its unique charm with a design that stood out from other modern cars. Despite being larger than its predecessors due to safety regulations and customer expectations, it remained compact, even smaller than a Mazda Miata. The MINI Cooper's design was playful and authentic, with features like a gradient paint effect and 18-inch wheels with red brake calipers. The interior, with Chesterfield leather seats and a distinctive dashboard design, offered high quality and a touch of whimsy, staying true to MINI's playful spirit.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Elantra offered a more conventional yet stylish design, appealing to a broader audience. The Elantra Limited model, in particular, exuded an upscale feel with its Melange with Gray interior, featuring light gray leather seats and upscale fabric trim. The Elantra's cabin was spacious and practical, with thoughtful features like dual-zone automatic climate control and a comfortable driver's seat. However, the rear seating area was less accommodating, with a slouched seating position and hard plastic panels. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Elantra's interior was well-equipped and offered a pleasant driving experience.

The 2023 MINI Cooper JCW was the most powerful variant, featuring a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine, shared with some BMW models, provided smooth revving and strong performance, although the clutch take-up in the six-speed manual transmission was abrupt. The JCW's handling was enjoyable, with flat cornering and impressive brakes, but the steering lacked the immediacy expected from a MINI. Fuel economy varied across models, with the JCW being less efficient due to its power, while the electric MINI Cooper SE offered 114 miles of range.

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra Limited, with its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, was not designed for speed but offered a peppy driving experience. The CVT, or Intelligent Variable Transmission, was one of the best in its class, contributing to an average fuel economy of 33 mpg during testing. The Elantra's handling was composed and predictable, with a compliant ride and suitable steering effort levels. While not as fun to drive as the Elantra N Line or N models, the Limited provided consistent handling qualities that inspired confidence.

The 2023 MINI Cooper offered good outward visibility and ample front seat space, but the rear bench in the two-door model was cramped, with limited cargo space of nine cubic feet, expandable to 34 cubic feet with seats folded. The four-door model provided slightly more cargo room. The convertible model had unique features like a tailgate that folded down for easy access and roof rails that allowed the fabric section to slide back like a sunroof. The MINI's instrument panel featured a matte finish to reduce glare, and the infotainment system included a touchscreen and console buttons, though some were inconveniently placed.

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra excelled in practicality, offering a roomy interior suitable for a family of four. The test vehicle featured proximity-sensing keyless entry, a comfortable six-way power driver's seat, and dual-zone automatic climate control. However, rear-seat passengers might find the seating position too reclined, and the lack of rear air conditioning vents and USB ports was a drawback. The Elantra's trunk provided 14.2 cubic feet of cargo space, with a 60/40-split folding back seat for added utility. The hands-free trunk release and integrated trunk release button were convenient features.

The 2023 MINI Cooper came standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, and LED headlights. The infotainment system used older BMW iDrive software, lacking the slick interface of newer BMW models. Additional features like a panoramic moonroof and heated leatherette seats were available on higher trims. The MINI also included unique features like an Openometer and cartoonish sounds, adding a playful touch to the driving experience.

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra offered advanced technology with its 10.25-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment displays, available in the SEL Convenience package and standard on N Line trim. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and wireless smartphone charging, though only Bluetooth supported a wireless connection. The voice recognition feature was mostly effective, though it struggled with some commands. The Elantra Limited also featured a Bose premium audio system, though its sound quality was not as impressive as in some rivals. Digital Key technology and Leading Vehicle Departure Alert were additional highlights.

The 2023 MINI Cooper came equipped with eight airbags, rear parking sensors, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. However, it lacked blind-spot monitoring and other advanced safety features found in similarly priced cars. Adaptive cruise control was available on certain versions with the automatic transmission. The MINI Cooper had not been rated by the NHTSA, but the IIHS had previously given it high ratings in most crash tests.

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra boasted a comprehensive package of standard safety features, including automatic high-beam headlights, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Elantra Limited added cyclist detection, intersection turning assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Elantra's driving assist systems performed smoothly and effectively during testing. The NHTSA awarded the 2023 Elantra a five-star overall rating, while the IIHS had not yet updated its rating for the model year.