Verdict
The MINI Electric is the easier Malaysian urban car: at 3,858 mm long, it is 1,004 mm shorter than the 4,862 mm Volkswagen Arteon, yet its 54.2 kWh battery delivers a claimed 402 km range and accepts 11 kW AC or 95 kW DC charging. The Arteon is the long-distance and family tool, with five seats, a 563-litre boot and a 66-litre petrol tank. It is also quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds against the MINI’s 6.7 seconds, but demands far more parking space.
Pick the MINI Electric if you want a compact three-door EV with 402 km claimed range, 95 kW DC charging and a head-up display.
Pick the Volkswagen Arteon if you need five seats, a 563-litre boot, all-wheel drive and stronger 5.6-second acceleration.
Key differences
- Price: MINI Electric RM193,888; Volkswagen Arteon RM291,012.
- Powertrain: MINI Electric 215 hp/330 Nm electric motor; Volkswagen Arteon 276 hp/350 Nm 1,984 cc turbo petrol engine.
- 0-100 km/h: MINI Electric 6.7 seconds; Volkswagen Arteon 5.6 seconds.
- Length: MINI Electric 3,858 mm; Volkswagen Arteon 4,862 mm.
- Seating and boot space: MINI Electric four seats/210 litres; Volkswagen Arteon five seats/563 litres.
- Annual road tax: MINI Electric RM200; Volkswagen Arteon RM372.
Electric
- 402 km claimed EV range with 95 kW DC charging
- 1,004 mm shorter body for tighter urban spaces
- Head-up display and 360-degree view monitor
- Four seats and a 210-litre boot versus five seats and 563 litres
- Slower 0-100 km/h time: 6.7 seconds versus 5.6 seconds
- Three doors versus five
Arteon
- 276 hp, 350 Nm and 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- Five seats, 563-litre boot and powered contactless boot operation
- All-wheel drive, adaptive dampers and rear climate control
- Costs RM97,124 more
- Larger 4,862 mm body is less compact than the 3,858 mm MINI
- No head-up display
| 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 | 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 |
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 MINI Electric is better for compact EV commuting, with 402 km claimed range and 95 kW DC charging. The Volkswagen Arteon is better for carrying people and luggage, thanks to five seats, a 563-litre boot and faster acceleration.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Arteon costs RM97,124 more than the MINI Electric: RM291,012 versus RM193,888.
Which one is faster and more practical?
The Arteon reaches 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds, 1.1 seconds ahead of the MINI Electric. It is also more practical, with five seats and a 563-litre boot against the MINI’s four seats and 210 litres.