Car Buyer's Guide

MINI Electric vs Nissan Leaf

MINI Electric

MINI Electric

Verdict

The MINI Electric costs RM193,888, RM25,000 more than the RM168,888 Nissan Leaf, but its 54.2-kWh battery delivers a quoted 402 km against 270 km, while 95-kW DC charging beats 50 kW. It is also quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds versus 7.9 seconds. The Leaf makes the stronger practical case for Malaysian family use: five doors, five seats and a 435-litre boot dwarf the MINI’s three doors, four seats and 210 litres. Choose the MINI for range, pace and equipment; choose the Leaf if cabin and luggage room matter more.

Electric

Pick the MINI Electric if you want 402 km of range, 95-kW DC charging and a much richer cabin specification despite the RM25,000 premium.

Leaf

Pick the Nissan Leaf if you need five seats, five doors and a 435-litre boot at a lower purchase price.

Key differences

  • Price: MINI Electric RM193,888; Nissan Leaf RM168,888.
  • Battery and range: MINI Electric 54.2 kWh and 402 km; Nissan Leaf 40.0 kWh and 270 km.
  • Charging: MINI Electric 11 kW AC/95 kW DC; Nissan Leaf 6.6 kW AC/50 kW DC.
  • Performance: MINI Electric 215 hp, 330 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds; Nissan Leaf 148 hp, 320 Nm and 7.9 seconds.
  • Practicality: MINI Electric has 3 doors, 4 seats and a 210-litre boot; Nissan Leaf has 5 doors, 5 seats and a 435-litre boot.
  • Dimensions: MINI Electric is 3,858 mm long with a 2,526 mm wheelbase; Nissan Leaf is 4,480 mm long with a 2,690 mm wheelbase.

Electric

  • 402 km quoted EV range from a 54.2-kWh battery.
  • 215 hp and 330 Nm, with a 6.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
  • Adaptive LED headlights, active cruise control, head-up display and 360-degree camera.
  • RM25,000 more expensive than the Nissan Leaf.
  • Only three doors, four seats and a 210-litre boot versus the Leaf’s five doors, five seats and 435 litres.
  • Annual road tax is RM200, against RM100 for the Leaf.

Leaf

  • Five-door, five-seat layout with a 435-litre boot.
  • RM168,888 price and RM100 annual road tax.
  • Space-saver spare tyre and 6.6-kW wallbox included.
  • 270 km range is 132 km short of the MINI Electric’s 402 km.
  • 50-kW DC and 6.6-kW AC charging trail the MINI’s 95-kW DC and 11-kW AC rates.
  • 148 hp and a 7.9-second 0-100 km/h time are behind the MINI’s 215 hp and 6.7 seconds.
Price & overview
PriceRM193,888RM168,888✓
Body typeHatchbackHatchback
SegmentB-SegmentC-Segment
AssemblyCBUCBU
Ownership
Road tax / yearRM200RM100✓
Powertrain
Engine Tech400V architecture400V architecture
FuelElectricElectric
Number of Motors11
Motor Horsepower215 hp✓148 hp
Motor Torque330 Nm✓320 Nm
Battery Capacity54.2 kWh✓40.0 kWh
EV Range402 km✓270 km
Charging Rate (AC)11 kW✓6.6 kW
Charging Rate (DC)95 kW✓50.0 kW
Drivetrain
TransmissionSingle Ratio AutomaticSingle Ratio Automatic
Transmission Name—Constant Ratio Gearbox for EV
Transmission Manufacturer—Nissan
DrivelineFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel Drive
Performance & Efficiency
0-100 km/h6.7 seconds✓7.9 seconds
Top Speed170 km/h✓155 km/h
Dimensions
Length3,858 mm4,480 mm
Width1,756 mm1,790 mm
Height1,460 mm1,540 mm
Wheelbase2,526 mm2,690 mm
Weight1,605 kg1,544 kg
Doors35
Seats45
Boot Space210 litres435 litres✓
Front Tyre225/40R18215/50R17
Rear Tyre225/40R18215/50R17
Spare Tyre—Space Saver
Factory TyresMaxxis Premitra 5Dunlop Enasave EC300
Chassis
AssemblyChina (CBU)Japan (CBU)
Front SuspensionMacPherson StrutMacPherson Strut
Rear SuspensionMulti-linkTorsion Beam
Front Wheels18" Night Flash Alloys17" Alloy
Rear Wheels18" Night Flash Alloys17" Alloy
SteeringRack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist)Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)
Chassis Notes—e-Pedal, Intelligent Ride Control, Intelligent Trace Control
Crash Safety Ratings
EuroNCAP—5 stars — With 6 Airbags and Autonomous Emergency Braking
Safety
Airbags6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain)6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain)
ABS/EBD✓✓
Stability Control✓✓
Alarm✓✓
Immobilizer✓✓
Airbag Disable Function✓—
Child Safety Lock—Manual for Rear Doors
Seat Belts4 Three-point belts5 Three-point
Blind Spot Info System✓—
ISOFIXAvailable on 2 Outer Rear Seats, Front Passenger SeatAvailable on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats
Autonomous Braking SystemYesYes
Lane-keeping AssistWarning OnlyNo
Collision Warning✓✓
Seatbelt ReminderFor Front SeatsFront Seats Only
Lighting
HeadlampsAdaptive LED Projector with High Beam AssistLED Projector
TaillampsFull LEDLED Combination
LED Daytime Running Lights✓✓
Front Foglamps—✓
Rear Foglamps✓✓
Wing Mirror Turn Indicators✓✓
Cabin
Front SeatsPowered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory and Massage FunctionManual Adjustment
Rear Seats60:40 Split-folding60:40 Split-folding
Front Air-conDual-zone Automatic ClimateSingle-zone Automatic Climate Control
Power Sockets1 Front, 2 USB C, 1 Wireless Charger1 Front
Interior LightingMap Lights and Ambient LightsMap Lights
Cup Holders2 Front, 1 Rear2 Front
Audio9.4" OLED Display with MINI OS, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Harman Kardon Sound System5" Display Radio/CD Player with USB, Bluetooth, AUX-in and 4 Speakers
Convenience
Power WindowsTwo Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-PinchFour Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch
Engine StartKeyless Flip SwitchKeyless Push Button
LocksKeyless OperationKeyless Operation
Auto Headlamps✓✓
Auto Wipers✓—
Cruise ControlActive Cruise ControlPassive Cruise Control
Steering Audio Control✓✓
Steering Tilt✓✓
Steering Telescopic✓—
Boot OperationManual OperationManual Operation
Parking Sensor Front6 Sensors—
Parking Sensor Rear6 Sensors—
Reverse CameraYes, with 360-degree View MonitorYes, with Around View Monitor (AVM)
Folding Wing Mirrors✓✓
Bluetooth✓✓
Navigation✓✓
Head-up Display✓—
Hill Start Assist✓✓
Instrument ClusterFull LCD MonitorDigital/Analogue
Parking BrakeElectronicElectronic
Convenience Notes—6.6 kW Wallbox, 7" Information Display, Climate Control Timer
Warranty
Warranty Mileage ManufacturerUnlimited✓100,000 km
Warranty Mileage ExtendedUnlimited—
Warranty Manufacturer2 years3 years✓
Warranty Extended2 years—
Warranty Notes8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty, Repair Inclusive extendable up to 5 years3-year/60,000 km Free Service, 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty, Complimentary Usage of Nissan SUV, MPV or Pick-up for 23 Days per Year

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 Leaf FAQ

Is the MINI Electric or Nissan Leaf better?

The MINI Electric is better for range, charging speed, acceleration and driver assistance equipment. The Nissan Leaf is better for carrying people and luggage, with five seats and a 435-litre boot versus four seats and 210 litres.

What is the price difference?

The MINI Electric costs RM193,888 and the Nissan Leaf costs RM168,888, so the MINI is RM25,000 more expensive. Its annual road tax is also RM200, compared with RM100 for the Leaf.

Which has the longer EV range and faster charging?

The MINI Electric has the longer quoted range at 402 km from its 54.2-kWh battery, versus 270 km and 40.0 kWh for the Leaf. It also charges at up to 11 kW AC and 95 kW DC, against 6.6 kW and 50 kW.

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