Car Buyer's Guide

MINI Electric vs Volvo EX30

MINI Electric

MINI Electric

Volvo EX30

Volvo EX30

Verdict

The RM15,000 gap buys the Volvo EX30 a 69 kWh battery, 476 km range and 175 kW DC charging, against the MINI Electric’s 54.2 kWh, 402 km and 95 kW. That matters on Malaysian intercity trips. The EX30 also has five doors, five seats and a 318-litre boot, where the MINI is a three-door four-seater with 210 litres. The MINI counters with a tidier 3,858 mm hatchback body, head-up display and driver’s-seat memory with massage. But the Volvo is quicker too, reaching 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds versus 6.7 seconds.

Electric

Pick the MINI Electric if you want the shorter 3,858 mm hatchback, a head-up display and driver’s-seat massage rather than maximum space and range.

EX30

Pick the Volvo EX30 if you need five seats, a 318-litre boot, 476 km range and much faster 175 kW DC charging.

Key differences

  • Price: MINI Electric RM193,888; Volvo EX30 RM208,888.
  • Battery and range: MINI Electric 54.2 kWh and 402 km; Volvo EX30 69 kWh and 476 km.
  • DC charging: MINI Electric 95 kW; Volvo EX30 175 kW.
  • Performance: MINI Electric 215 hp, 330 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds; Volvo EX30 268 hp, 343 Nm and 5.3 seconds.
  • Passenger and luggage capacity: MINI Electric has 3 doors, 4 seats and a 210-litre boot; Volvo EX30 has 5 doors, 5 seats and a 318-litre boot.
  • Manufacturer warranty: MINI Electric 2 years; Volvo EX30 5 years.

Electric

  • Shorter 3,858 mm hatchback body
  • Head-up display
  • Driver’s-seat memory and massage function
  • 402 km range versus 476 km
  • 95 kW DC charging versus 175 kW
  • Three doors, four seats and a 210-litre boot

EX30

  • 476 km range from a 69 kWh battery
  • Five doors, five seats and a 318-litre boot
  • Lane-keeping steering correction and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go
  • Costs RM15,000 more
  • Longer 4,223 mm body is less compact
  • No head-up display or front-seat memory/massage
Price & overview
PriceRM193,888RM208,888
Body typeHatchbackSUV
SegmentB-SegmentB-Segment
AssemblyCBUCBU
Ownership
Road tax / yearRM200RM260
Powertrain
Engine Tech400V architecture400V architecture
FuelElectricElectric
Number of Motors11
Motor Horsepower215 hp268 hp
Motor Torque330 Nm343 Nm
Battery Capacity54.2 kWh69 kWh
EV Range402 km476 km
Charging Rate (AC)11 kW11 kW
Charging Rate (DC)95 kW175 kW
V2L3.6 kW
Drivetrain
TransmissionSingle Ratio AutomaticSingle Ratio Automatic
DrivelineFront Wheel DriveRear Wheel Drive
Performance & Efficiency
0-100 km/h6.7 seconds5.3 seconds
Top Speed170 km/h180 km/h
Dimensions
Length3,858 mm4,223 mm
Width1,756 mm1,837 mm
Height1,460 mm1,555 mm
Wheelbase2,526 mm2,650 mm
Weight1,605 kg
Doors35
Seats45
Boot Space210 litres318 litres
Front Tyre225/40R1824545R19
Rear Tyre225/40R18245/45R19
Spare TyreN/A, Tyre Repair Kit
Factory TyresMaxxis Premitra 5Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV
Chassis
AssemblyChina (CBU)China (CBU)
Front SuspensionMacPherson StrutMacPherson Strut
Rear SuspensionMulti-linkMulti-link
Front Wheels18" Night Flash Alloys19" Alloys
Rear Wheels18" Night Flash Alloys19" Alloys
SteeringRack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist)Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)
Safety
AirbagsDriver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear CurtainDriver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain
ABS/EBD
Stability Control
Alarm
Immobilizer
Airbag Disable Function
Child Safety LockElectric for Rear Doors
Seat Belts4 Three-point belts5 Three-point
Blind Spot Info System
ISOFIXAvailable on 2 Outer Rear Seats, Front Passenger SeatAvailable on 2 Outer Rear Seats
Autonomous Braking SystemYesYes
Lane-keeping AssistWarning OnlySteering Correction
Collision Warning
Seatbelt ReminderFor Front SeatsFor All Seats
Lighting
HeadlampsAdaptive LED Projector with High Beam AssistLED Reflector with Auto High Beam
TaillampsFull LEDFull LED
LED Daytime Running Lights
Rear Foglamps
Wing Mirror Turn Indicators
Cabin
Front SeatsPowered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory and Massage FunctionPower Adjustable Front Seats
Rear Seats60:40 Split-folding60:40 Split-folding
Front Air-conDual-zone Automatic ClimateDual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
SunroofPanoramic Glass Roof
Power Sockets1 Front, 2 USB C, 1 Wireless Charger1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Rear
Interior LightingMap Lights and Ambient LightsMap Lights and Ambient Lights
Cup Holders2 Front, 1 Rear2 Front, 2 Rear
Audio9.4" OLED Display with MINI OS, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Harman Kardon Sound System12.3" Touchscreen with Google Services Built-in, Harman Kardon Sound System
Convenience
Power WindowsTwo Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-PinchFour Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch
Engine StartKeyless Flip SwitchKeyless (Depress Brake to Start)
LocksKeyless OperationKeyless Operation
Auto Headlamps
Auto Wipers
Cruise ControlActive Cruise ControlAdaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist
Steering Audio Control
Steering Tilt
Steering Telescopic
Boot OperationManual OperationPowered Boot, Contactless Opening
Parking Sensor Front6 Sensors6 Sensors
Parking Sensor Rear6 Sensors6 Sensors
Reverse CameraYes, with 360-degree View MonitorYes, 360-degree Camera
Auto ParkingYes
Folding Wing Mirrors
Bluetooth
Navigation
Head-up Display
Hill Start Assist
Instrument ClusterFull LCD MonitorFull LCD Monitor
Parking BrakeElectronicElectronic
Warranty
Warranty Mileage ManufacturerUnlimitedUnlimited
Warranty Mileage ExtendedUnlimited
Warranty Manufacturer2 years5 years
Warranty Extended2 years
Warranty Notes8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty, Repair Inclusive extendable up to 5 years8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty

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 EX30 FAQ

Is the MINI Electric or Volvo EX30 better?

The Volvo EX30 is the better all-round choice, with more range, faster DC charging, five seats and a larger boot. Choose the MINI Electric for its smaller hatchback dimensions, head-up display and driver’s-seat massage.

What is the price difference?

The Volvo EX30 costs RM15,000 more than the MINI Electric: RM208,888 versus RM193,888.

Which charges faster?

Both cars support 11 kW AC charging, but the Volvo EX30 has the faster DC rate at 175 kW. The MINI Electric reaches 95 kW.

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