MINI Electric vs Volkswagen Arteon
Verdict
At RM193,888, the MINI Electric is RM97,124 cheaper than the RM291,012 Volkswagen Arteon, and it suits buyers who can live with four seats, a 210-litre boot and charging a 54.2 kWh battery for 402 km of range. The Arteon is the grown-up express: five seats, 563 litres, AWD, 276 hp and 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds. It also brings a five-year warranty versus two years, but drinks petrol at 7.4 L/100 km and pays RM372 road tax.
Pick the MINI Electric if you want the lower purchase price, 402 km EV range and a compact four-seat hatchback with a 210-litre boot.
Pick the Volkswagen Arteon if you need five seats, a 563-litre boot, AWD and the quicker 5.6-second 0-100 km/h sprint.
Key differences
- Price: MINI Electric RM193,888; Volkswagen Arteon RM291,012
- Power and drive: MINI Electric 215 hp, front-wheel drive; Volkswagen Arteon 276 hp, all-wheel drive
- Performance: MINI Electric 0-100 km/h in 6.7 s, 170 km/h top speed; Volkswagen Arteon 5.6 s, 250 km/h
- Size: MINI Electric 3,858 mm long with a 2,526 mm wheelbase; Volkswagen Arteon 4,862 mm long with a 2,837 mm wheelbase
- Cabin and boot: MINI Electric 4 seats and 210 L; Volkswagen Arteon 5 seats and 563 L
- Energy use: MINI Electric has a 54.2 kWh battery and 402 km EV range; Volkswagen Arteon has a 66 L tank and uses 7.4 L/100 km
Electric
- RM97,124 cheaper to buy
- 402 km EV range
- Much shorter 3,858 mm body
- Only four seats
- Small 210-litre boot
- Two-year warranty
Arteon
- 276 hp with all-wheel drive
- Quicker 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- Five seats and 563-litre boot
- Costs RM97,124 more
- Uses 7.4 L/100 km
- RM372 annual road tax
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 193,888✓ | RM 291,012 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | B-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 16-Valve DOHC with Twin-Scroll Turbocharger, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | — | 1,984 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 276 hp |
| Torque | — | 350 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 82.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 9.6 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 215 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 330 Nm | — |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | — |
| Battery Capacity | 54.2 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 402 km | — |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charger Type (DC) | CCS | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 95 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | — | 7-speed DSG |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Volkswagen AG |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.7 seconds | 5.6 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 7.4 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 170 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 164 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,858 mm | 4,862 mm |
| Width | 1,756 mm | 1,871 mm |
| Height | 1,460 mm | 1,450 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,526 mm | 2,837 mm |
| Weight | 1,605 kg | 1,600 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 66 litres |
| Doors | 3 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 210 litres | 563 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R18 | 245/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/40R18 | 245/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Full-Size 19" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Maxxis Premitra 5 | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Night Flash Alloys | 19" Montevideo Two-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Night Flash Alloys | 19" Montevideo Two-tone 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 | — | Adaptive Dampers |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars — With 7 Airbags, Stability Control and Autonomous Emergency Braking |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| 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 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For Front Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector with High Beam Assist | LED Projectors with Cornering Lights and Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory and Massage Function | 14-Way Power-adjustable with Driver's Side Memory |
| 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 | — | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB C, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 2 Front USB-C, 1 Front Qi Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (3 Colours) |
| 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 | Discover Pro 9.2" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 12-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Flip Switch | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| 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 | 3-year/45,000 km Free Service |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 200✓ | RM 372 |
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 Arteon FAQ
Is the MINI Electric or Volkswagen Arteon better?
For space and performance, the Volkswagen Arteon is better: five seats, 563 litres, AWD and 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds. The MINI Electric is better if purchase price and EV running suit you more than boot space.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Arteon costs RM97,124 more than the MINI Electric. That gap buys a larger D-segment car with five seats, a 563-litre boot, AWD, 276 hp and a five-year warranty.
Which is more practical for family use?
The Volkswagen Arteon is the more practical family car on paper, with five seats and a 563-litre boot. The MINI Electric has four seats and 210 litres of boot space, so it is the tighter fit.