Car Buyer's Guide

MINI Electric vs Nissan Leaf

MINI Electric

MINI Electric

Verdict

The RM25,000 dearer MINI Electric is the quicker, longer-legged choice: its 215 hp motor reaches 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds, while the 54.2 kWh battery is rated for 402 km and accepts 11 kW AC and 95 kW DC charging. The Nissan Leaf counters with C-segment proportions, five doors, five seats and a 435-litre boot, against the MINI’s three doors, four seats and 210 litres. For a Malaysian household, the Leaf’s space and RM100 annual road tax matter; the MINI suits buyers prioritising range, pace and richer cabin equipment.

Electric

Pick the MINI Electric if 402 km range, 6.7-second acceleration and faster 11 kW AC/95 kW DC charging matter more than rear-seat access and boot capacity.

Leaf

Pick the Nissan Leaf if you need five doors, five seats and a 435-litre boot while spending RM25,000 less upfront.

Key differences

  • Price: MINI Electric RM193,888; Nissan Leaf RM168,888.
  • EV range: MINI Electric 402 km; Nissan Leaf 270 km.
  • Battery capacity: MINI Electric 54.2 kWh; Nissan Leaf 40.0 kWh.
  • Charging: MINI Electric 11 kW AC and 95 kW DC; Nissan Leaf 6.6 kW AC and 50 kW DC.
  • Performance: MINI Electric 215 hp, 330 Nm and 6.7 seconds to 100 km/h; Nissan Leaf 148 hp, 320 Nm and 7.9 seconds.
  • Practicality: MINI Electric has 3 doors, 4 seats and a 210-litre boot; Nissan Leaf has 5 doors, 5 seats and a 435-litre boot.

Electric

  • 402 km EV range from a 54.2 kWh battery.
  • 215 hp and 330 Nm; 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds.
  • 11 kW AC and 95 kW DC charging, plus active cruise control and a 360-degree camera.
  • Costs RM25,000 more than the Nissan Leaf.
  • Three doors, four seats and a 210-litre boot versus the Leaf’s five doors, five seats and 435 litres.
  • Two-year manufacturer warranty versus the Leaf’s three years.

Leaf

  • RM168,888 price and RM100 annual road tax.
  • Five doors, five seats and a 435-litre boot.
  • Five-star EuroNCAP rating, six airbags and autonomous emergency braking.
  • 270 km range trails the MINI Electric’s 402 km.
  • 6.6 kW AC and 50 kW DC charging are slower than the MINI’s 11 kW and 95 kW.
  • 148 hp and a 7.9-second 0-100 km/h time trail the MINI’s 215 hp and 6.7 seconds.
Price & overview
PriceRM193,888RM168,888
Body typeHatchbackHatchback
SegmentB-SegmentC-Segment
AssemblyCBUCBU
Ownership
Road tax / yearRM200RM100
Powertrain
Engine Tech400V architecture400V architecture
FuelElectricElectric
Number of Motors11
Motor Horsepower215 hp148 hp
Motor Torque330 Nm320 Nm
Battery Capacity54.2 kWh40.0 kWh
EV Range402 km270 km
Charging Rate (AC)11 kW6.6 kW
Charging Rate (DC)95 kW50.0 kW
Drivetrain
TransmissionSingle Ratio AutomaticSingle Ratio Automatic
Transmission NameConstant Ratio Gearbox for EV
Transmission ManufacturerNissan
DrivelineFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel Drive
Performance & Efficiency
0-100 km/h6.7 seconds7.9 seconds
Top Speed170 km/h155 km/h
Dimensions
Length3,858 mm4,480 mm
Width1,756 mm1,790 mm
Height1,460 mm1,540 mm
Wheelbase2,526 mm2,690 mm
Weight1,605 kg1,544 kg
Doors35
Seats45
Boot Space210 litres435 litres
Front Tyre225/40R18215/50R17
Rear Tyre225/40R18215/50R17
Spare TyreSpace Saver
Factory TyresMaxxis Premitra 5Dunlop Enasave EC300
Chassis
AssemblyChina (CBU)Japan (CBU)
Front SuspensionMacPherson StrutMacPherson Strut
Rear SuspensionMulti-linkTorsion Beam
Front Wheels18" Night Flash Alloys17" Alloy
Rear Wheels18" Night Flash Alloys17" Alloy
SteeringRack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist)Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)
Chassis Notese-Pedal, Intelligent Ride Control, Intelligent Trace Control
Crash Safety Ratings
EuroNCAP5 stars — With 6 Airbags and Autonomous Emergency Braking
Safety
AirbagsDriver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear CurtainDriver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain
ABS/EBD
Stability Control
Alarm
Immobilizer
Airbag Disable Function
Child Safety LockManual for Rear Doors
Seat Belts4 Three-point belts5 Three-point
Blind Spot Info System
ISOFIXAvailable on 2 Outer Rear Seats, Front Passenger SeatAvailable on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats
Autonomous Braking SystemYesYes
Lane-keeping AssistWarning OnlyNo
Collision Warning
Seatbelt ReminderFor Front SeatsFront Seats Only
Lighting
HeadlampsAdaptive LED Projector with High Beam AssistLED Projector
TaillampsFull LEDLED Combination
LED Daytime Running Lights
Front Foglamps
Rear Foglamps
Wing Mirror Turn Indicators
Cabin
Front SeatsPowered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory and Massage FunctionManual Adjustment
Rear Seats60:40 Split-folding60:40 Split-folding
Front Air-conDual-zone Automatic ClimateSingle-zone Automatic Climate Control
Power Sockets1 Front, 2 USB C, 1 Wireless Charger1 Front
Interior LightingMap Lights and Ambient LightsMap Lights
Cup Holders2 Front, 1 Rear2 Front
Audio9.4" OLED Display with MINI OS, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Harman Kardon Sound System5" Display Radio/CD Player with USB, Bluetooth, AUX-in and 4 Speakers
Convenience
Power WindowsTwo Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-PinchFour Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch
Engine StartKeyless Flip SwitchKeyless Push Button
LocksKeyless OperationKeyless Operation
Auto Headlamps
Auto Wipers
Cruise ControlActive Cruise ControlPassive Cruise Control
Steering Audio Control
Steering Tilt
Steering Telescopic
Boot OperationManual OperationManual Operation
Parking Sensor Front6 Sensors
Parking Sensor Rear6 Sensors
Reverse CameraYes, with 360-degree View MonitorYes, with Around View Monitor (AVM)
Folding Wing Mirrors
Bluetooth
Navigation
Head-up Display
Hill Start Assist
Instrument ClusterFull LCD MonitorDigital/Analogue
Parking BrakeElectronicElectronic
Convenience Notes6.6 kW Wallbox, 7" Information Display, Climate Control Timer
Warranty
Warranty Mileage ManufacturerUnlimited100,000 km
Warranty Mileage ExtendedUnlimited
Warranty Manufacturer2 years3 years
Warranty Extended4 years
Warranty Notes8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty, Repair Inclusive extendable up to 5 years3-year/60,000 km Free Service, 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty, Complimentary Usage of Nissan SUV, MPV or Pick-up for 23 Days per Year

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 Leaf FAQ

Is the MINI Electric or Nissan Leaf better?

The MINI Electric is better for range, charging speed and acceleration, with 402 km, 95 kW DC charging and a 6.7-second 0-100 km/h time. The Nissan Leaf is better for family use, bringing five doors, five seats and a 435-litre boot.

What is the price difference?

The MINI Electric costs RM193,888 and the Nissan Leaf costs RM168,888, so the MINI carries a RM25,000 premium.

Which has the more practical cabin?

The Nissan Leaf is clearly more practical: it has five doors, five seats and a 435-litre boot. The MINI Electric has three doors, four seats and 210 litres of boot space.

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