Verdict
The GAC M8 costs RM328,800, RM9,912 more than the RM318,888 MINI Convertible, but these are radically different answers to Malaysian motoring. The M8 brings seven seats, a 280-litre boot and a 106 km EV range from its 25.57-kWh battery; it suits a family that can charge regularly. The MINI is 1,333 mm shorter, reaches 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds and has auto parking, so it is the more manageable and quicker choice for a smaller household. Neither replaces the other’s core job.
Pick the GAC M8 if you need seven seats, powered sliding doors and a 106 km electric driving range for regular family use.
Pick the MINI Convertible if you want the quicker 6.9-second car, a much shorter body and open-top four-seat motoring.
Key differences
- Price: GAC M8 RM328,800; MINI Convertible RM318,888.
- Acceleration: GAC M8 0-100 km/h in 8.8 seconds; MINI Convertible in 6.9 seconds.
- Accommodation: GAC M8 has 7 seats and 5 doors; MINI Convertible has 4 seats and 2 doors.
- Boot space: GAC M8 280 litres; MINI Convertible 215 litres.
- Length: GAC M8 5,212 mm; MINI Convertible 3,879 mm.
- Powertrain: GAC M8 is a plug-in hybrid with a 25.57-kWh battery and 106 km EV range; MINI Convertible is a 1,998 cc petrol model.
M8
- Seven seats, powered sliding doors and a 280-litre boot.
- 25.57-kWh battery with 106 km EV range, plus 6.6 kW AC and 40 kW DC charging.
- Powered front seats, panoramic glass roof and 16-speaker Yamaha audio.
- Its 8.8-second 0-100 km/h time trails the MINI Convertible’s 6.9 seconds.
- At 5,212 mm long, it is 1,333 mm longer than the MINI Convertible.
- It lacks the MINI Convertible’s listed navigation, head-up display and auto parking.
Convertible
- 6.9-second 0-100 km/h time and 237 km/h top speed.
- At 3,879 mm long, it is far shorter than the GAC M8.
- Gets navigation, a head-up display, auto parking and paddle shifts.
- Four seats and two doors versus the GAC M8’s seven seats and five doors.
- Its 215-litre boot is 65 litres smaller than the GAC M8’s.
- No rear air-con is listed, while the GAC M8 has rear AC vents.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM328,800 | RM318,888✓ |
| Body type | MPV | Convertible |
| Segment | Executive | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | — | RM379 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Plug-in Hybrid Assistance | 16 valve, DOHC, variable intake and exhaust cam timing, variable intake valve lift, twin-scroll turbo |
| Capacity | — | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 187 hp | 204 hp✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm | 300 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 179 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 300 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 25.57 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 106 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 40 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 2-DHT | 7-speed Steptronic Transmission |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.8 seconds | 6.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | — | 237 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,212 mm | 3,879 mm |
| Width | 1,893 mm | 1,744 mm |
| Height | 1,823 mm | 1,431 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,070 mm | 2,495 mm |
| Weight | 2,420 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 56 litres | 44 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 7 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 280 litres✓ | 215 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R18 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | United Kingdom (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 18" Night Flash Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 18" Night Flash Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Windshield | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on Front Passenger and Outer Two Rear Seat |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | Second row Individual Captain's Seats, 60:40 Split-folding Third row | 50:50 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | — |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade and Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 14.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, 16-Speaker Yamaha Sound System | 9.4" OLED Display with MINI OS, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Harman Kardon Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Flip Switch |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | Power Sliding Doors | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8 Year, 150,000 km Warranty (Battery) | Repair Inclusive extendable up to 5 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used M8 & Convertible for sale
M8 vs Convertible FAQ
Is the GAC M8 or MINI Convertible better?
The GAC M8 is better for carrying people and charging at home or work, with seven seats and 106 km EV range. The MINI Convertible is better for a smaller household seeking quicker acceleration, a shorter body and convertible motoring.
What is the price difference?
The GAC M8 costs RM9,912 more than the MINI Convertible.
Which is easier to park in town?
The MINI Convertible is easier to place in town: it is 3,879 mm long versus the GAC M8’s 5,212 mm, and it has auto parking. Both have six front and six rear parking sensors plus a 360-degree camera.