Car Buyer's Guide

MINI Electric vs MINI 3 Door

MINI Electric

MINI Electric

MINI 3 Door

MINI 3 Door

Verdict

For a Malaysian buyer, the MINI Electric is the sharper value call at RM193,888, undercutting the MINI 3 Door by RM86,000 while bringing a 54.2-kWh battery, 402-km EV range and 215-hp/330-Nm motor. It is only 0.1 second behind to 100 km/h, at 6.7 seconds, and road tax is RM200 against RM379. The petrol MINI 3 Door answers with a 201-hp/300-Nm 2.0-litre turbo, 242-km/h top speed and steering-correcting lane assist, but its front seats are manual where the Electric gets power adjustment, memory and massage.

Electric

Pick the MINI Electric if you want to save RM86,000, have 402 km of stated EV range and want the better-equipped front seats.

3 Door

Pick the MINI 3 Door if you prefer a 201-hp 2.0-litre turbo petrol hatch with a 242-km/h top speed, paddle shifts and lane-keeping steering correction.

Key differences

  • Price: MINI Electric RM193,888; MINI 3 Door RM279,888.
  • Powertrain: MINI Electric has one 215-hp/330-Nm motor and 54.2-kWh battery; MINI 3 Door has a 1,998-cc 201-hp/300-Nm turbo petrol engine.
  • Range/fuel storage: MINI Electric has 402 km EV range; MINI 3 Door has a 44-litre fuel tank.
  • Performance: MINI Electric does 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds and reaches 170 km/h; MINI 3 Door records 6.6 seconds and 242 km/h.
  • Weight: MINI Electric weighs 1,605 kg; MINI 3 Door weighs 1,295 kg.
  • Front seats: MINI Electric gets powered seats with driver memory and massage; MINI 3 Door has manual adjustment.

Electric

  • RM86,000 lower purchase price.
  • 402-km stated EV range from a 54.2-kWh battery.
  • Powered front seats with driver memory and massage.
  • 0-100 km/h is 0.1 second slower, at 6.7 seconds versus 6.6 seconds.
  • 170-km/h top speed is 72 km/h lower.
  • Lane-keeping only warns rather than providing steering correction.

3 Door

  • Slightly quicker 6.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
  • 242-km/h top speed and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifts.
  • Lane-keeping assist provides steering correction.
  • Costs RM86,000 more.
  • Manual front-seat adjustment lacks the Electric's driver memory and massage function.
  • Annual road tax is RM379 versus RM200.
Price & overview
PriceRM193,888RM279,888
Body typeHatchbackHatchback
SegmentB-SegmentB-Segment
AssemblyCBUCBU
Ownership
Road tax / yearRM200RM379
Powertrain
Engine Tech16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger, variable valve timing
Capacity1,998 cc
Horsepower201 hp
Torque300 Nm
FuelElectricPetrol
Bore82 mm
Number of Motors1
Motor Horsepower215 hp
Motor Torque330 Nm
Battery Capacity54.2 kWh
EV Range402 km
Charging Rate (AC)11 kW
Charging Rate (DC)95 kW
Drivetrain
TransmissionSingle Ratio AutomaticDual-clutch Automatic (Wet)
Gears7
DrivelineFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel Drive
Performance & Efficiency
0-100 km/h6.7 seconds6.6 seconds
Top Speed170 km/h242 km/h
Dimensions
Length3,858 mm3,876 mm
Width1,756 mm1,727 mm
Height1,460 mm1,414 mm
Wheelbase2,526 mm2,495 mm
Weight1,605 kg1,295 kg
Fuel Tank44 litres
Doors33
Seats44
Boot Space210 litres210 litres
Front Tyre225/40R18215/45R18
Rear Tyre225/40R18215/45R18
Factory TyresMaxxis Premitra 5Pirelli Cinturato P7
Chassis
AssemblyChina (CBU)Germany (CBU)
Front SuspensionMacPherson StrutMacPherson Strut
Rear SuspensionMulti-linkMulti-link
Front Wheels18" Night Flash Alloys18" Slide Spoke Alloys
Rear Wheels18" Night Flash Alloys18" Slide Spoke Alloys
SteeringRack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist)Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)
Safety
AirbagsDriver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear CurtainDriver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain
ABS/EBD
Stability Control
Alarm
Immobilizer
Airbag Disable Function
Seat Belts4 Three-point belts4 Three-point belts
Blind Spot Info System
ISOFIXAvailable on 2 Outer Rear Seats, Front Passenger SeatAvailable on 2 Outer Rear Seats, Front Passenger Seat
Autonomous Braking SystemYesYes
Lane-keeping AssistWarning OnlySteering Correction
Collision Warning
Seatbelt ReminderFor Front SeatsFor All Seats
Lighting
HeadlampsAdaptive LED Projector with High Beam AssistAdaptive LED Projector with High Beam Assist
TaillampsFull LEDFull LED
LED Daytime Running Lights
Rear Foglamps
Wing Mirror Turn Indicators
Cabin
Front SeatsPowered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory and Massage FunctionManual Adjustable
Rear Seats60:40 Split-folding60:40 Split-folding
Front Air-conDual-zone Automatic ClimateDual-zone Automatic Climate
Power Sockets1 Front, 2 USB C, 1 Wireless Charger1 Front, 2 USB C, 1 Wireless Charger
Interior LightingMap Lights and Ambient LightsMap Lights and Ambient Lights
Cup Holders2 Front, 1 Rear2 Front
Audio9.4" OLED Display with MINI OS, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Harman Kardon Sound System9.4" OLED Display with MINI OS, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Harman Kardon Sound System
Convenience
Power WindowsTwo Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-PinchTwo Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch
Engine StartKeyless Flip SwitchKeyless Flip Switch
LocksKeyless OperationKeyless Operation
Auto Start/Stop
Auto Headlamps
Auto Wipers
Cruise ControlActive Cruise ControlActive Cruise Control
Paddle Shift
Steering Audio Control
Steering Tilt
Steering Telescopic
Boot OperationManual OperationManual Operation
Parking Sensor Front6 Sensors6 Sensors
Parking Sensor Rear6 Sensors6 Sensors
Reverse CameraYes, with 360-degree View MonitorYes, with 360-degree View Monitor
Folding Wing Mirrors
Bluetooth
Navigation
Head-up Display
Hill Start Assist
Instrument ClusterFull LCD Monitor
Parking BrakeElectronicElectronic
Warranty
Warranty Mileage ManufacturerUnlimitedUnlimited
Warranty Mileage ExtendedUnlimitedUnlimited
Warranty Manufacturer2 years2 years
Warranty Extended4 years4 years
Warranty Notes8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty, Repair Inclusive extendable up to 5 yearsRepair 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.

Electric vs 3 Door FAQ

Is the MINI Electric or MINI 3 Door better?

The MINI Electric is the better buy on price and equipment: it costs RM86,000 less, has 402 km of stated range and powered massaging front seats. Choose the MINI 3 Door for its slightly faster acceleration, 242-km/h top speed and lane-keeping steering correction.

What is the price difference?

The MINI Electric costs RM193,888 and the MINI 3 Door costs RM279,888, so the MINI 3 Door is RM86,000 more expensive.

Which MINI is quicker?

The MINI 3 Door is quicker by 0.1 second from 0-100 km/h, taking 6.6 seconds against the MINI Electric's 6.7 seconds. Its 242-km/h top speed also exceeds the Electric's 170 km/h.

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