MINI

Aceman

The MINI Aceman is a fully electrified, four-door crossover that slots in neatly between the Cooper and Countryman in the company’s EV line-up. There is a choice of battery sizes, along with three well-equipped trims and plenty of opportunity to fully personalise the vehicle too.

Test Drive

MINI Aceman – First Drive (2024)

The all-new MINI Aceman is an electrified four-door crossover that slots perfectly between the recently launched Cooper and Countryman models in MINI’s EV line-up.

With prices starting from £31,800, the car is available in two variants. The Aceman E features a 42.5kWh battery, delivering 184hp and offering up to 192 miles of range, while the more powerful Aceman SE is equipped with a larger 54.2kWh battery, producing 218hp and a range of 252 miles per charge. MINI will introduce a high-performance John Cooper Works Aceman, offering 258hp and starting at £40,800, in the near future.

Customers can choose from three trim levels called Classic, Exclusive and Sport with the Sport trim offering the chance to fully personalise the model with John Cooper Works (JCW) styling. In addition, Levels called 1, 2 or 3 introduce additional packs to the mix, but the costs will start to stack up pretty quickly.

Our test route incorporated a variety of roads, including some busier town centres where the regenerative braking could be explored, and we selected the fully-loaded Sport model of the Aceman E with JCW styling traits. This car started out with a £35,300 price-tag, but the introduction of Level 3 pack and upgraded paintwork saw the price climb to £42,900, including registration fees.

However, the Level 3 pack is pretty comprehensive and adds navigation, a head-up display, heated front seats, high beam assist, parking assist, powered seats with memory function, a panoramic sunroof, plus a Harman Kardon sound system, among other features.

There’s no denying the Aceman is a great looking car with its crossover,  SUV-inspired styling. Yet it stays true to MINI’s iconic look with a bold front end, angled headlights, wheel arch cladding, roof rails and an octagonal grille.

Our test car stood out further with all the JCW styling elements, including blacked-out rear windows, a black spoiler, distinctive JCW badges, plus model-specific 19-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the Aceman combines sporty design with modern features. The main focal point is a 24cm circular infotainment display that offers access to most of the car’s functions. There is a redesigned toggle bar, curved dashboard finished in a sleek woven textile and a panoramic roof that give the interior a contemporary, high-tech feel. The cabin also features additional JCW badges, adding to the sporty vibe.

Creature comforts are plentiful, with a Harman Kardon surround sound system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, sat nav, and plenty more besides. The Aceman features MINI’s latest Operating System 9 software and the screen can be controlled via touch or the clever voice assistant.

Rather disappointedly, there’s some hard plastic in the cabin that could prove prone to scratches, but generally the overall feel is stylish and upmarket, typical of MINI’s design philosophy.

Our MINI Aceman E Sport with JCW styling featured the lower-powered 42.5kWh battery, producing 184hp and 290Nm of torque. It accelerates from 0 to 62mph in 7.9 seconds, tops out at 99mph, and offers a range of 192 miles between charges. The more powerful Aceman SE gets a 54.2kWh battery, providing 218hp and 330Nm of torque. This version reaches 62mph from a standing start in 7.1 seconds, has a top speed of 105mph, with a range of 252 miles. A high-performance John Cooper Works Aceman with 258hp will launch soon and that cuts the 0-62mph time to just 6.4 seconds.

Out on the road, the Aceman E impressed with its smooth acceleration through the single-speed transmission. It’s quick off the line and provides plenty of oomph for overtaking slower-moving vehicles. And true to MINI’s trademark go-karting reputation, the Aceman delivers agile handling, with excellent grip and balance through tight corners, thanks to its low centre of gravity, direct steering, refined chassis set-up and precise damping.

There are drive modes that MINI calls Experiences, which adjust both performance and interior ambiance. Modes like Go Kart, Core and Green alter the driving dynamics, while the others, named Vivid, Timeless, Balance, Personal and Trail, adjust the cabin’s mood. A fun “Woo Hoo” sound can be heard when Go Kart mode is activated and there are several other sound effects, though these can be disabled. Regenerative braking also has three adjustable levels to suit your driving preferences, making stop-and-go city driving a little more manageable.

The Aceman fits neatly between the smaller MINI Copper and the larger Countryman in terms of size. At 4,079mm in length, 1,754mm wide (1,991mm with mirrors extended) and 1,514mm tall, it offers ample space inside. The five-door, five-seat configuration ensures plenty of room up front, even for taller passengers, thanks to generous head, leg, and elbow space.

The rear seats are accessible via wide-opening doors, but legroom is limited, especially with the front seats pushed back. It’s fine for children or two adults, but it might feel cramped for longer trips.

The boot can swallow 300 litres of goodies, which is ample for a large weekly shop, and the capacity is easily increased to 1,005 litres by dropping the 60:40 split-folding rear seats.

Storage options throughout the cabin are good with door pockets that can hold a bottle, a glovebox, a cubby bin, cup holders, seat back pockets and a wireless charging pad.

And when it comes to charging, the Aceman supports 11kW AC or DC charging. The Aceman E charges fully in 4 hours 15 minutes via an 11kW wallbox, or 28 minutes for a 10-80 per cent charge on a fast public charger. Charging times are slightly increased at 31 minutes and five hours, 45 minutes respectively for the SE’s larger 54.2kWh battery.

All in all, while there will always be purists who argue that modern MINIs stray too far from the brand’s roots, the Aceman is a strong contender in MINI’s evolving line-up. It still retains the fun-to-drive spirit that the brand is known for, delivering a dynamic and engaging driving experience that will put a smile on your face.