Verdict
At RM213,888, the MINI Aceman is RM8,801 cheaper than the Subaru Forester and cuts annual road tax from RM838 to RM200. Its 215 hp, 330 Nm motor reaches 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds, well ahead of the Forester’s 182 hp, 247 Nm 2.5-litre petrol CVT at 9.7 seconds. The trade-off is substantial: the Forester is 579 mm longer, has all-wheel drive and a 496-litre boot versus 300 litres. For a Malaysian buyer with dependable charging, the Aceman’s 406 km EV range is persuasive; families needing luggage room should take the Subaru.
Pick the MINI Aceman if you can charge regularly and want lower RM200 annual road tax, 406 km EV range and markedly quicker 7.1-second acceleration.
Pick the Subaru Forester if you need all-wheel drive, a 496-litre boot and the reassurance of a five-year/100,000 km warranty.
Key differences
- Price: MINI Aceman RM213,888; Subaru Forester RM222,689.
- Powertrain and output: Aceman 215 hp/330 Nm electric motor; Forester 182 hp/247 Nm 2.5-litre petrol engine.
- 0-100 km/h: Aceman 7.1 seconds; Forester 9.7 seconds.
- Size and boot: Aceman 4,076 mm long with 300 litres; Forester 4,655 mm long with 496 litres.
- Driveline: Aceman front-wheel drive; Forester all-wheel drive.
- Annual road tax: Aceman RM200; Forester RM838.
Aceman
- 406 km EV range from a 54.2 kWh battery, with 11 kW AC and 95 kW DC charging.
- 215 hp and 330 Nm deliver a 7.1-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Powered front seats add driver memory and massage; it also gets a head-up display and auto parking.
- 300-litre boot is 196 litres smaller than the Forester’s 496 litres.
- Front-wheel drive rather than the Forester’s all-wheel drive.
- Two-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty is shorter in time than the Forester’s five years.
Forester
- 496-litre boot and a 4,655 mm body give it substantially more carrying space.
- All-wheel drive, SI-Drive and X-Mode.
- Five-year/100,000 km manufacturer warranty, plus steering-correction lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control with stop and go.
- 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time trails the Aceman’s 7.1 seconds.
- RM838 annual road tax is RM638 higher than the Aceman’s RM200.
- 182 hp and 247 Nm fall short of the Aceman’s 215 hp and 330 Nm.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM213,888✓ | RM222,689 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM200✓ | RM838 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 182 hp |
| Torque | — | 247 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 215 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 330 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 54.2 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 406 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 95 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Lineartronic |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.1 seconds✓ | 9.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 170 km/h | 205 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,076 mm | 4,655 mm |
| Width | 1,754 mm | 1,830 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,606 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,643 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 300 litres | 496 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/40R19 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Assurance ComfortTred | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" Hexagram Alloy Wheels | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Hexagram Alloy Wheels | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | — | SI-Drive and X-Mode |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee & Front Passenger Seat Cushion, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point belts | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats, Front Passenger Seat | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory and Massage Function | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC vents |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 9.4" OLED Display with MINI OS, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Harman Kardon Sound System | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Flip Switch | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control (Requires Subscription) | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Tailgate | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 4 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | Repair Inclusive extendable up to 5 years, 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | — |
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 Aceman & Forester for sale
Aceman vs Forester FAQ
Is the MINI Aceman or Subaru Forester better?
The Aceman is the better choice for regular EV charging, faster performance and lower annual road tax. Choose the Forester for all-wheel drive, a much larger 496-litre boot and a longer five-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Forester costs RM8,801 more than the MINI Aceman: RM222,689 against RM213,888.
How far can the MINI Aceman travel on one charge?
The Aceman has a 54.2 kWh battery and a stated EV range of 406 km. It supports AC charging at 11 kW and DC charging at up to 95 kW.