Verdict
For RM193,888, the MINI Electric is RM97,124 below the RM291,012 Arteon and brings a 54.2 kWh battery, 402 km quoted range and 95 kW DC charging. That is a clear road-tax saving too, at RM200 a year against RM372. The Volkswagen counters with a 276 hp, 350 Nm petrol drivetrain that reaches 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds, 1.1 seconds ahead, plus five seats and a 563-litre boot. Its 4,862 mm length suits family use better; the MINI’s 210-litre boot and three doors suit a more limited load and passenger role.
Pick the MINI Electric if you can charge an EV and want 402 km of quoted range, lower annual road tax and a far lower entry price.
Pick the Volkswagen Arteon if you need five seats, a 563-litre boot, all-wheel drive and quicker 5.6-second acceleration.
Key differences
- Powertrain: MINI Electric has one 215 hp, 330 Nm motor and a 54.2 kWh battery; Arteon has a 1,984 cc 276 hp, 350 Nm turbo petrol engine.
- Performance: MINI Electric does 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds and reaches 170 km/h; Arteon takes 5.6 seconds and reaches 250 km/h.
- Size: MINI Electric is 3,858 mm long with a 2,526 mm wheelbase; Arteon is 4,862 mm long with a 2,837 mm wheelbase.
- Practicality: MINI Electric has three doors, four seats and a 210-litre boot; Arteon has five doors, five seats and a 563-litre boot.
- Manufacturer warranty: MINI Electric gets two years; Arteon gets five years.
Electric
- 402 km quoted EV range from a 54.2 kWh battery.
- 95 kW DC charging and 11 kW AC charging.
- Head-up display plus driver’s-seat memory and massage function.
- 210-litre boot trails the Arteon’s 563 litres.
- Three doors and four seats versus the Arteon’s five doors and five seats.
- Slower 6.7-second 0-100 km/h time and a shorter two-year manufacturer warranty.
Arteon
- Quicker 5.6-second 0-100 km/h performance with 276 hp and 350 Nm.
- 563-litre boot, five seats and five doors.
- All-wheel drive, adaptive dampers and a five-year manufacturer warranty.
- RM97,124 more expensive, with RM372 annual road tax against RM200.
- Rated at 7.4 L/100 km and emits 164 g/km of CO2, while the MINI Electric uses a battery and motor.
- No head-up display or listed front-seat massage function.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM193,888✓ | RM291,012 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | B-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM200✓ | RM372 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 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 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 82.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 9.6 |
| 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 | 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) |
| 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 |
| 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 | 2 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty, Repair Inclusive extendable up to 5 years | 3-year/45,000 km Free Service |
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 & Arteon for sale
Electric vs Arteon FAQ
Is the MINI Electric or Volkswagen Arteon better?
The Arteon is better for family space, performance and long-distance flexibility, with five seats, a 563-litre boot and 5.6-second acceleration. Choose the MINI Electric for EV driving, 402 km quoted range and the much lower purchase price.
What is the price difference?
The MINI Electric is RM97,124 less expensive than the Volkswagen Arteon. It also has lower annual road tax at RM200, compared with RM372 for the Arteon.
Which is better for carrying passengers and luggage?
The Volkswagen Arteon is decisively better: it has five doors, five seats and a 563-litre boot. The MINI Electric has three doors, four seats and a 210-litre boot.