Some of the perks of compact cars include the lower purchase price and excellent fuel economy. Also, thanks to their power-to-weight ratio, compacts offer better performance for the price and excellent maneuverability in small spaces. There are plenty of small cars out there, but if you can’t decide between the practical 2022 Honda Civic and the fun 2022 Mini Cooper, allow us to show you four reasons why you should pick the Civic.

2022 Honda Civic and 2022 Mini Cooper overview

The 2022 Honda Civic features a brand-new body that looks strikingly similar to the Honda Accord. It’s also designed with a longer wheelbase than the previous version. Trims available depend on whether you pick the sedan or hatchback body style.

Nonetheless, main engine options include a 2.0-liter inline-four or a 1.5-liter turbo-four. The former produces 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque, with the latter harnesses 180 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque.

The performance-centric Civic Si options seem to get more out of their 1.5-liter engines, with peak horsepower and torque at 200 hp and 192 lb-ft. According to Consumer Reports, the transmission is limited to a CVT on most trims, although the 200-hp variants come with a six-speed manual.

On the other hand, the 2022 Mini Cooper is available as a hatchback with various powertrain choices. There’s the 1.5-liter turbocharged, 2.0-liter turbocharged, and fully electric version. As for power, the 1.5-liter engine produces 134 hp and 162 lb-ft torque, and its larger counterpart makes 228 hp and 235 lb-ft of torque.

The electric hatchback is sandwiched in the middle, with its performance figures at 181 hp and 199 lb-ft torque. This option also comes with a one-speed direct-drive transmission, while the other two have a six-speed manual.

Now that you have a general idea of these two compact models, here are four reasons to pick the 2022 Honda Civic over the 2022 Mini Cooper:

1. The Civic is cheaper than the Cooper

It’s worth mentioning that the two vehicles are in the same price range. However, the 2022 Honda Civic is better if you’re trying to save a little extra. According to Honda, the starting price for the Civic is $22,550, with the MSRP rising if you pick the hatchback or Civic Si over the standard sedan. Also, the starting price for the most expensive variant is $30,050.

By comparison, the Mini Cooper’s starting price is $22,900, although it can go up to $32,900 for the top trim without any extras. Though the price difference might not be much to some, the money saved could be useful for other endeavors or for ensuring you get the best extra features.

2. The Civic is safer than the Cooper

Safety is a big selling point for car buyers, and with the 2022 Honda Civic, you get a safer car than the Mini Cooper. In fact, the Civic is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick+, an honor reserved for only the vehicles with the highest safety ratings. The Civic earned excellent scores in most crash tests, in addition to top marks for its crash prevention system. It also performed well where the child seat anchors and headlights tests were concerned.

Though the 2022 Mini cooper didn’t fare badly in IIHS testing, it did reveal some weaknesses. One example is that the high-beam headlights were inadequate on straight and curved roads. Additionally, the child seat anchors were too deep in the seat and could be challenging to maneuver.

3. You get better fuel economy with the Honda

Because they’re compact cars, the 2022 Mini Cooper and Honda Civic get excellent gas mileage. However, according to Edmunds, the Civic is cheaper to fuel with its 35 mpg. The turbo engine on the Mini Cooper seems a little more fuel-hungry, resulting in a combined 31 mpg.

Nevertheless, the better fuel economy applies only if you don’t pick the all-electric version of the Cooper, which gets an impressive 110 MPGe.

4. The Honda is more spacious and accessible

The Honda Civic comes in either a four-door hatchback or a sedan. Because the 2022 model is larger than previous years, it offers greater passenger space, which can make for a more comfortable ride. In fact, the sedan version has up to 113.8 cubic feet of interior room.

As for the Mini Cooper hatchback, it can sit four or five passengers depending upon whether it’s the two-door or four-door variant. The two-door style, which is the most common, provides only 89.0 cubic feet of interior room, meaning it’s much more cramped than its counterpart despite its upscale cabin. Also, because it has only two doors, getting into the back seat can be a hassle.