There was the Mini Paceman, that peculiar three-door crossover that was never fully understood, and there was the Mini Clubman, one of the most unique models from the British brand. Their legacy is now called the Mini Aceman, the first model to be sold exclusively as an electric vehicle by the brand. It is the result of collaboration with Great Wall Motors, built on a dedicated platform, and positioned between the Cooper and the Countryman, which has grown significantly in size over the years.
The promise is to deliver the same “electrified go-kart feeling” as the Cooper but with more versatility, in a car designed primarily for urban use.
New Mini Aceman: our tops&flops
Surely cute and appealing, the Mini Aceman finally arrives in its production version, and it is the first only electric model from the British brand, made in China like the new electric Cooper with which it shares most of its technical features. Like all Minis, it has a well-crafted and youthful design, trendy especially in the interiors, which focus heavily on sustainability and colors, with materials like vegan leather and fabrics made from recycled PET for the dashboard. Very ergonomic, it has good front space but little rear space and a small trunk, while it features the matte round display with Mini’s OS, which is rather smooth. Talking about performance, it is available in the Aceman E version with 184 hp, SE with 218 hp, and John Cooper Works with 258 hp, ensuring a driving experience always oriented toward sportiness. The disappointing side is the range and charging: the E has a battery of just 42.5 kWh with 305 km of range, the SE goes up to 406 km, which is a bit low for a 2025 car, just as unacceptable is the charging speed of just 70 kW for the base version and 95 kW for the others, achieving 20-80% in 30 minutes. Really underwhelming and behind all rivals like the Volvo EX30, Lynk & Co 02, or Ford Puma.
What we like
- Always colorful and youthful design;
- Very ergonomic interiors;
- Always a pleasure to drive;
What we don’t like
- The quality of materials is questionable;
- Insufficient range;
- Outdated charging power
Prices in Scandinavia
Mini Aceman: sustainability packed into 4 meters
The Aceman fits within the B-SUV segment, with dimensions close to the previous Countryman: 4.07 meters in length (the old Countryman measured 4.3 meters, while the new one exceeds 4.5 meters). It competes with the Volvo EX30, Kia EV3, and Jeep Avenger. Fortunately, it borrows only the concept of a compact crossover from the Paceman and the five doors and interior space from the Clubman.
The design closely resembles other Mini models, staying true to the concept car showcased in previous years but with a touch of added personality.
During the test day, I drove both the Aceman E with the Favoured trim and the JCW-Style version. In my opinion, the latter stands out more.
The car is distinguished by its angular, not perfectly round headlights, a slightly rounded rear, and pixel-LED taillights that, as usual, replicate the Union Jack but are customizable with three different patterns via the central touchscreen. The color palette is vibrant, as is tradition, with alloy wheels available up to 19 inches.
Interiors
As always with Mini, you need to overlook the abundance of hard plastics inside. However, the interior layout is consistent with the latest Mini models, featuring a minimalist yet well-thought-out design with sustainable materials.
In the Favoured trim, the dashboard is upholstered with fabric derived from recycled materials, and the seats are made from vegan leather. At the center is a 24 cm round OLED touchscreen, wirelessly compatible with CarPlay and Android Auto, customizable with various themes called “Experience.” Below the display, a practical toggle integrates gear selection, the start button, and climate controls, along with the “Experience” selector.
A single anti-slip storage compartment replaces the central tunnel, featuring two front cupholders, one rear cupholder, and a total of four USB-C ports. There’s also an armrest, but it’s almost useless as it is too small and fixed. In higher trims, such as the JCW, you can opt for small storage bags instead of the usual compartment under the armrest.
The car offers good comfort in the front, while taller passengers (over 190 cm) will find the rear a tight squeeze, especially if the driver is of similar height. Shorter passengers or children won’t have issues, and there’s never a feeling of claustrophobia thanks to the white interior and panoramic glass roof.
Responsive but lacking in range and charging
Weighing over 100 kg more than a similarly configured Cooper, the Aceman is slightly less agile in tight corners but offers much more responsiveness than most competitors, even in the base 184 hp version, staying true to Mini’s tradition of delivering driving pleasure.
For those seeking a compact, practical, and fun electric car for the city, the Aceman has no direct rivals, thanks also to its somewhat thick but comfortable steering wheel and its raised driving position that’s not overly high. On the flip side, the suspension may feel too stiff for this type of car, especially on speed bumps. The sound produced by the Harman/Kardon speakers to replace the engine is also something to get used to—it seems inspired by Hans Zimmer’s work for BMWs but feels somewhat peculiar.
While power and driving experience are strong, the range and charging department fall flat. The Favoured E version comes with a 42.5 kWh battery promising 305 km of mixed-cycle range, but the display already estimates a more realistic 195 km at 95% charge. Moreover, this version offers DC charging at only 70 kW—far too little for a car built on a native electric platform and launched in late 2024.
The SE version with 218 hp and a 54.2 kWh battery is the one to consider. It promises a range of 405 km (homologated, though the display predicts less), and its driving experience is also more dynamic. The charging power rises to 95 kW, better than 70 kW but still lagging behind competitors, requiring 30 minutes for a 20-80% charge.
The Mini Aceman is designed for urban use and home charging, and for this purpose, it’s perfect. But given its enjoyable driving dynamics, it would have been nice to see more effort in the charging capabilities to allow for longer trips. That said, the Aceman includes advanced ADAS systems, standard for the first time on a Mini, featuring cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and a well-functioning suite suitable for highway and suburban driving.
