Verdict
The MINI Electric costs RM193,888 to the Forester’s RM222,689, so the RM28,801 gap leaves the MINI buyer with a 215 hp, 330 Nm motor and a 6.7-second 0-100 km/h time, against 182 hp, 247 Nm and 9.7 seconds. Its 54.2 kWh battery is rated for 402 km, with 11 kW AC and 95 kW DC charging. But the Subaru is the family tool: five seats, five doors and a 496-litre boot versus four, three and 210 litres. Its RM838 annual road tax is RM638 more than the MINI’s RM200.
Pick the MINI Electric if a 402 km EV range, quicker 6.7-second acceleration and lower RM200 annual road tax matter more than rear-seat and boot space.
Pick the Subaru Forester if you need five seats, a 496-litre boot, all-wheel drive and five years of manufacturer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: MINI Electric RM193,888; Subaru Forester RM222,689.
- Performance: MINI Electric 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds; Subaru Forester in 9.7 seconds.
- Practicality: MINI Electric has 4 seats and a 210-litre boot; Subaru Forester has 5 seats and a 496-litre boot.
- Size: MINI Electric is 3,858 mm long; Subaru Forester is 4,655 mm long.
- Driveline: MINI Electric is front-wheel drive; Subaru Forester is all-wheel drive.
- Road tax: MINI Electric RM200 per year; Subaru Forester RM838 per year.
Electric
- 215 hp and 330 Nm electric motor
- 6.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- RM28,801 lower purchase price and RM638 lower annual road tax
- 210-litre boot versus the Forester’s 496 litres
- Three doors and four seats versus five doors and five seats
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years
Forester
- 496-litre boot with five seats
- All-wheel drive with SI-Drive and X-Mode
- Five-year/100,000 km manufacturer warranty
- RM28,801 higher purchase price
- 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time versus 6.7 seconds
- RM838 annual road tax versus RM200
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM193,888✓ | RM222,689 |
| Body type | Hatchback | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 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 | 402 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 | 6.7 seconds✓ | 9.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 170 km/h | 205 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,858 mm | 4,655 mm |
| Width | 1,756 mm | 1,830 mm |
| Height | 1,460 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,526 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Weight | 1,605 kg | 1,643 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 3 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 210 litres | 496 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/40R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Maxxis Premitra 5 | 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 | 18" Night Flash Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Night Flash Alloys | 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, Front and Rear 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 |
| Seat Belts | 4 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 Front Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector with High Beam Assist | 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 C, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 1 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 | Two 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| 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 | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty, Repair Inclusive extendable up to 5 years | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM200✓ | RM838 |
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 Electric & Forester for sale
Electric vs Forester FAQ
Is the MINI Electric or Subaru Forester better?
The MINI Electric is the better choice for lower upfront cost, lower road tax and faster acceleration. The Subaru Forester is better for carrying people and luggage, with five seats, five doors, all-wheel drive and a 496-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Forester costs RM28,801 more than the MINI Electric: RM222,689 versus RM193,888.
Which is more practical for a family?
The Subaru Forester is far more practical for a family. It has five seats, five doors, rear air-con vents and a 496-litre boot, while the MINI Electric has four seats, three doors and a 210-litre boot.