Verdict
The Volvo EX30 is the stronger all-round Malaysian buy. Its RM5,000 premium brings 268 hp and 343 Nm against the MINI Electric’s 215 hp and 330 Nm, cutting the 0-100 km/h time from 6.7 to 5.3 seconds. More importantly for longer trips, it carries a 69 kWh battery for 475 km and accepts 175 kW DC charging, versus 54.2 kWh, 402 km and 95 kW. The MINI remains the more compact choice, and its head-up display plus driver’s memory and massage seat are meaningful comforts.
Pick the MINI Electric if you want a 3,858 mm-long hatchback with a head-up display, adaptive LED projectors and a driver’s memory/massage seat.
Pick the Volvo EX30 if you need five seats, a 318-litre boot, 475 km of range and much faster 175 kW DC charging.
Key differences
- Price: MINI Electric RM193,888; Volvo EX30 RM198,888.
- Motor output and acceleration: 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.
- Battery and range: MINI Electric 54.2 kWh and 402 km; Volvo EX30 69 kWh and 475 km.
- DC charging: MINI Electric 95 kW; Volvo EX30 175 kW.
- Practicality: MINI Electric has 3 doors, 4 seats and a 210-litre boot; Volvo EX30 has 5 doors, 5 seats and a 318-litre boot.
- Safety assistance: MINI Electric has 6 airbags and lane-keeping warning only; Volvo EX30 has 7 airbags and steering-correction lane keeping.
Electric
- RM5,000 lower purchase price
- Head-up display and adaptive LED projector headlamps
- Driver’s memory and massage function
- 95 kW DC charging is well behind the EX30’s 175 kW
- 402 km range trails the EX30 by 73 km
- Three doors, four seats and a 210-litre boot are less useful for family duty
EX30
- 475 km range from a 69 kWh battery
- 175 kW DC charging and 3.6 kW vehicle-to-load
- Five doors, five seats and a 318-litre boot
- No head-up display
- Front seats lack the MINI’s driver memory and massage function
- RM260 annual road tax is RM60 higher than the MINI’s
What the Electric has over the EX30
What the EX30 has over the Electric
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The EX30's wheelbase is 124 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. The EX30 is 81 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the EX30: 318 litres against 210.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM193,888✓ | RM198,888 |
| Body type | Hatchback | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM200✓ | RM260 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,980/mo✓ | RM2,030/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM5,289✓ | RM5,419 |
| Electricity / year (est.) | RM1,198✓ | RM1,291 |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM5.99✓ | RM6.45 |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM33,435✓ | RM34,848 |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | 4.9 hours✓ | 6.3 hours |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | 40 min | 30 min✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 215 hp | 268 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 330 Nm | 343 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 54.2 kWh | 69 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 402 km | 475 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 95 kW | 175 kW✓ |
| V2L | — | 3.6 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.7 seconds | 5.3 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 170 km/h | 180 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,858 mm | 4,223 mm |
| Width | 1,756 mm | 1,837 mm |
| Height | 1,460 mm | 1,555 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,526 mm | 2,650 mm |
| Weight | 1,605 kg | — |
| Doors | 3 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 210 litres | 318 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R18 | 24545R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/40R18 | 245/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Maxxis Premitra 5 | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV |
| 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" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Night Flash Alloys | 19" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Electric 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 on 2 Outer Rear 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 Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory and Massage Function | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB C, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient 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 | 12.3" Touchscreen with Google Services Built-in, 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 (Depress Brake to Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| 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 | 8-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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked October 2026.
Used Electric & EX30 for sale
Our reviews & guides
MINI Electric
Volvo EX30
Electric vs EX30 FAQ
Is the MINI Electric or Volvo EX30 better?
The Volvo EX30 is the better all-round choice: it is faster, has 73 km more range, charges at 175 kW rather than 95 kW, and has five seats with a 318-litre boot. Choose the MINI for its smaller footprint and head-up display.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo EX30 costs RM198,888 and the MINI Electric costs RM193,888, so the EX30 is RM5,000 more expensive.
Which one is better for longer EV trips?
The Volvo EX30 is better for longer trips. Its 69 kWh battery delivers 475 km versus 402 km, while 175 kW DC charging is 80 kW higher than the MINI Electric’s 95 kW rate.
How long does charging take?
The Electric's 54.2 kWh battery takes about 4.9 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 40 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 95 kW peak. The EX30's 69.0 kWh battery takes about 6.3 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 30 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 175 kW peak.
Which one is locally assembled?
The EX30 is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the Electric is fully imported (CBU) from China. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.
Which has the better warranty?
The EX30 carries a 5-year manufacturer warranty against 2 years for the Electric. Electric: 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty, Repair Inclusive extendable up to 5 years. EX30: 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty.