MINI Electric vs Nissan Leaf
Verdict
At RM193,888 versus RM168,888, the MINI Electric asks RM25,000 more, and that money goes into the EV hardware: 215 hp, 330 Nm, a 54.2 kWh battery, 402 km range and up to 95 kW DC charging. The Nissan Leaf is the calmer, more practical buy: 148 hp, 270 km range, but a C-segment body with five doors, five seats and a 435-litre boot. For Malaysia, this is mainly pace and charging headroom versus cabin access and luggage space.
Electric
Pick the MINI Electric if you want the quicker EV with longer range, stronger charging rates and richer listed cabin kit.
Leaf
Pick the Nissan Leaf if you need five doors, five seats, a much bigger boot and the lower asking price.
Key differences
- Price: MINI Electric RM193,888; Nissan Leaf RM168,888
- Power and torque: MINI Electric 215 hp/330 Nm; Nissan Leaf 148 hp/320 Nm
- Battery and range: MINI Electric 54.2 kWh/402 km; Nissan Leaf 40.0 kWh/270 km
- Charging: MINI Electric 11 kW AC/95 kW DC; Nissan Leaf 6.6 kW AC/50.0 kW DC
- Size and boot: MINI Electric 3,858 mm long/210 litres; Nissan Leaf 4,480 mm long/435 litres
- Doors and seats: MINI Electric 3 doors/4 seats; Nissan Leaf 5 doors/5 seats
Electric
- Stronger performance: 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds versus 7.9 seconds
- Longer EV range at 402 km versus 270 km
- More upmarket listed tech, including a 9.4-inch OLED display, Harman Kardon audio, head-up display and 360-degree view monitor
- Costs RM25,000 more
- Only three doors and four seats
- Much smaller 210-litre boot
Leaf
- Lower price by RM25,000
- More practical body with five doors and five seats
- Bigger 435-litre boot
- Shorter 270 km EV range
- Slower charging rates at 6.6 kW AC and 50.0 kW DC
- Less powerful at 148 hp versus 215 hp
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 193,888 | RM 168,888✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | B-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 215 hp✓ | 148 hp |
| Motor Torque | 330 Nm✓ | 320 Nm |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | 54.2 kWh✓ | 40.0 kWh |
| EV Range | 402 km✓ | 270 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | Type 1 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW✓ | 6.6 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | CCS | CHAdeMO |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 95 kW✓ | 50.0 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Constant Ratio Gearbox for EV |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Nissan |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.7 seconds✓ | 7.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 170 km/h✓ | 155 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,858 mm | 4,480 mm |
| Width | 1,756 mm | 1,790 mm |
| Height | 1,460 mm | 1,540 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,526 mm | 2,690 mm |
| Weight | 1,605 kg | 1,544 kg |
| Doors | 3 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 210 litres | 435 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R18 | 215/50R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/40R18 | 215/50R17 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Maxxis Premitra 5 | Dunlop Enasave EC300 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Night Flash Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Night Flash Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Solid Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | e-Pedal, Intelligent Ride Control, Intelligent Trace Control |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars — With 6 Airbags and Autonomous Emergency Braking |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 | 4 Three-point belts | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats, Front Passenger Seat | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For Front Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector with High Beam Assist | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory and Massage Function | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB C, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 1 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | 9.4" OLED Display with MINI OS, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Harman Kardon Sound System | 5" Display Radio/CD Player with USB, Bluetooth, AUX-in and 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side 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 | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with Around View Monitor (AVM) |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | 6.6 kW Wallbox, 7" Information Display, Climate Control Timer |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 3 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 4 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty, Repair Inclusive extendable up to 5 years | 3-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 |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 200 | RM 100✓ |
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 performance, range and charging. The Nissan Leaf is better for practicality and price, with five doors, five seats and a 435-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The MINI Electric costs RM193,888, while the Nissan Leaf costs RM168,888. That makes the MINI Electric RM25,000 more expensive.
Which one has the longer EV range?
The MINI Electric has the longer range at 402 km from a 54.2 kWh battery. The Nissan Leaf has 270 km from a 40.0 kWh battery.