Verdict
The MINI 3 Door is the better-equipped daily proposition, pairing 300 Nm with a seven-speed wet dual-clutch, autonomous braking, steering lane-keeping, a 360-degree camera and active cruise control. Its 6.6-second 0-100 km/h time is close to the BRZ’s 6.3 seconds, while its RM379 annual road tax is far easier on a Malaysian budget than RM767. But the Subaru BRZ brings 234 hp, rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual, plus a 226-litre boot and five-year warranty. Choose based on use: MINI for technology and assistance systems, BRZ for the manual drivetrain and longer cover.
Pick the MINI 3 Door if you want stronger 300 Nm torque, active safety assistance and a 360-degree camera in a shorter three-door hatchback.
Pick the Subaru BRZ if a 234-hp rear-wheel-drive coupe with a six-speed manual and five-year warranty matters more than driver-assistance equipment.
Key differences
- Price: MINI 3 Door RM279,888; Subaru BRZ RM249,245.
- Output: MINI 3 Door 201 hp and 300 Nm; Subaru BRZ 234 hp and 250 Nm.
- Performance: MINI 3 Door 0-100 km/h in 6.6 seconds and 242 km/h; Subaru BRZ 6.3 seconds and 226 km/h.
- Drivetrain: MINI 3 Door front-wheel drive with a seven-speed wet dual-clutch; Subaru BRZ rear-wheel drive with a six-speed manual.
- Safety assistance: MINI 3 Door has autonomous braking, collision warning and steering lane-keeping; Subaru BRZ has none of these.
- Warranty: MINI 3 Door gets two years with unlimited mileage; Subaru BRZ gets five years or 100,000 km.
3 Door
- 300 Nm, 50 Nm more than the BRZ.
- Autonomous braking, collision warning and steering lane-keeping.
- 360-degree camera, active cruise control and navigation.
- 201 hp is 33 hp down on the BRZ.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty trails the BRZ’s five years.
- 210-litre boot is 16 litres smaller than the BRZ’s.
BRZ
- 234 hp and a 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Rear-wheel drive and six-speed manual transmission.
- Five-year/100,000-km warranty and 226-litre boot.
- No autonomous braking, collision warning or lane-keeping assist.
- Passive rather than active cruise control.
- RM767 annual road tax is RM388 higher than the MINI’s.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM279,888 | RM249,245✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Coupe |
| Segment | B-Segment | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally-aspirated with Direct and Port Injection, Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 201 hp | 234 hp✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm✓ | 250 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 82 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 12.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Manual |
| Gears | 7 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.6 seconds | 6.3 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 242 km/h✓ | 226 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,876 mm | 4,265 mm |
| Width | 1,727 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Height | 1,414 mm | 1,310 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,495 mm | 2,575 mm |
| Weight | 1,295 kg | 1,289 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 44 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 3 | 2 |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 210 litres | 226 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/45R18 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/45R18 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli Cinturato P7 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" Slide Spoke Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Slide Spoke Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side and Front Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point belts | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats, Front Passenger Seat | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | Front Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector with High Beam Assist | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB C, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front |
| Audio | 9.4" OLED Display with MINI OS, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Harman Kardon Sound System | 8" Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 8 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two 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 | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree View Monitor | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 4 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | Repair Inclusive extendable up to 5 years | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM767 |
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 3 Door & BRZ for sale
3 Door vs BRZ FAQ
Is the MINI 3 Door or Subaru BRZ better?
The MINI 3 Door is better for daily equipment and active safety, with autonomous braking, lane-keeping and a 360-degree camera. The Subaru BRZ is better if the priority is a 234-hp rear-wheel-drive coupe with a six-speed manual and a five-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru BRZ costs RM30,643 less than the MINI 3 Door. It also has a five-year/100,000-km warranty, while the MINI has two years with unlimited mileage.
Which is cheaper to tax each year?
The MINI 3 Door is cheaper to tax, at RM379 per year versus RM767 for the Subaru BRZ. That is an annual saving of RM388 for the MINI.