MINI Aceman SE
01 February 2025
MINI Aceman SE Review

The MINI Aceman is the latest addition to the British marque’s lineup, slotting neatly between the Cooper and the Countryman.


With the Countryman now taking on a more traditional SUV role, the Aceman arrives as the “replacement” for the Clubman.

This is a compact electric crossover that aims to give MINI fans a bit more space, practicality, and five-door convenience.

How New Is It, Really?

MINI Aceman SE

While the Aceman is a fresh nameplate in MINI’s range, it is not an entirely new car. Beneath the funky styling, it is essentially a stretched, five-door version of the Cooper Electric, with the same battery and motor options.  

Like its smaller sibling, it is available in two variants. The E pushes 148bhp and 290Nm of torque, while the SE bumps that up to 215bhp and 330Nm.

A Love-It-Or-Hate-It Design

MINI Aceman SE

The Aceman follows MINI’s latest ‘Charismatic Simplicity’ design philosophy. 

From certain angles, the Aceman resembles a shrunken Countryman, while in others, its square wheel arches and angular nose give it a slightly awkward stance. The familiar MINI lighting signatures remain, with three different daytime running light patterns to choose from, customisable via the infotainment system.  

MINI describes the car’s lines as “plump MINI shapes”, a phrase that is unlikely to find its way onto a marketing campaign any time soon. While the overall shape retains MINI’s charm, some may find the new edgy aesthetic less appealing than the brand’s traditionally rounded designs.

Step inside, and you will be greeted by a layout that is almost identical to the Cooper Electric and Countryman. If you have seen one new-gen MINI, you have seen them all.  

The centrepiece is the 24cm circular OLED touchscreen, which dominates the dashboard. Beneath it, there is a row of physical buttons and a large, chunky steering wheel.

Functionality remains strong, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integrated, while a ‘tool belt’ menu allows drivers to customise shortcuts for frequently used functions.

While some settings are buried in menus, the interface is responsive and well-designed, making it easier to use than many rival touchscreen systems.  

Materials are a mixed bag. The recycled textile dashboard covering adds an interesting texture to the interior, but some plastic elements let the premium feel down.

Meanwhile, the fabric strap on the steering wheel’s third spoke looks cool but does not serve much practical purpose.

Rear seat space is acceptable for a car of this size, with decent legroom and easy access thanks to the five-door layout.

However, anyone approaching 1.8-metres will find headroom slightly tight due to the car’s sloping roofline.

MINI Aceman SE boot

In terms of boot space, the Aceman offers 300 litres with the seats up and 1,005 litres with the rear seats folded. A step up from the Cooper, but still not class-leading among electric crossovers. 

Still A MINI At Heart

MINI Aceman SE

We tested the Aceman in SE trim, which produces 215bhp and 330Nm of torque, allowing it to rock the century sprint in 7.1 seconds. Top speed is a modest 170km/h.

Surprisingly, even the Aceman SE does not feel as sprightly as some other EVs off the line, despite having a power advantage over the base model. Even in its sportiest ‘Go-Kart’ mode, it does not shove you into the seat the way some electric cars do.

It is also not particularly light, tipping the scales at 1,785kg. As a result, joining highways requires a bit of patience, as acceleration is not as instantaneous as you might expect from an electric MINI.   

MINI Aceman SE

What MINI fans will appreciate is that the Aceman handles well, despite the extra weight. It corners with precision, resisting understeer admirably thanks to its low battery placement. The steering is direct, though in Go-Kart mode, it can feel artificially heavy.  

That said, ride comfort is firm; something we have come to expect from modern MINIs. The suspension struggles to absorb imperfections, and bumpy roads unsettle the car more than they should. 

MINI claims a WLTP range of 407km for the SE model. However, in our real-world testing, the Aceman only managed 17.4kWh/100km, translating to a real-world range of around 311km, significantly lower than the official figure.

Charging speeds are respectable but not groundbreaking. The E model supports 70kW DC fast charging, while the SE can handle up to 95kW, meaning a 10-80% charge takes around 30 minutes.

A Crossover For MINI Loyalists  

MINI Aceman SE

For buyers already considering the Cooper, the MINI Aceman makes a strong case for itself. It offers more space, five doors, and a bigger boot. The interior is identical, so if you already like the Cooper’s cabin, you will feel right at home here.

However, the firm ride, slightly sluggish acceleration (even in SE trim), and real-world range limitations may put off some buyers. It does not drive as sweetly as a Cooper, nor does it offer the same level of cuteness that makes the three-door hatch so appealing.

That being said, the Aceman will likely attract Cooper customers looking for a bit more space, and in that regard, it does its job well.

Technical Specifications

MINI Aceman SE

Powertrain: Single Electric Motor, Front-Wheel Drive
Power: 160 kW (215 bhp)
Torque: 330 Nm
Gearbox: Single-Speed (A)
0-100km/h: 7.1 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 170 km/h
Battery Capacity: 54.2 kWh
Drive Range: 407 km (claimed)
Energy Consumption: 15.1 kWh/100km (claimed)

Price: S$240,888 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: MINI Singapore

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)


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