• Fast enough, but not powerful
• Feels like a MINI Cooper to drive
• Drive mode ‘experiences’ are weird

What power options are there?

The Aceman is an electric-only product for the MINI family and is closely related to the Cooper Electric hatchback, so much so that the powertrain structure is effectively the same. All Aceman models are front-wheel drive only, and both models can be charged at up to 11kW AC or 95kW DC.

Aceman E is your entry-level model, which features a 42.5 kWh battery pack and develops 184hp. It can accelerate to 62mph in 7.9 seconds, and MINI says the Aceman E is capable of 192 miles of range.

Step up to Aceman SE and you’ll benefit from more power and more range from a larger battery. The SE includes a 54.2kWh battery pack with a maximum range of 252 miles, a more powerful 218hp electric motor good for a 0-62mph sprint in an only-slightly-faster 7.1 seconds.

On top of that, MINI has confirmed that an Aceman JCW (John Cooper Works) model will launch in 2025. You can order this model now, but the first UK cars aren’t expected to arrive until April 2025.

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What’s it like to drive?

• Sharp, accurate steering
• Comfortable ride
• Agile, MINI-like handling

Happily, this is a real strong point for the Aceman. The small MINI SUV hasn’t lost any of the fun-to-drive elements you also benefit from with the smaller Cooper hatchback. This is a neat and tidy car out on the road. The steering, for example, feels very accurate when you turn but it doesn’t require significant effort, either. The turning circle feels tight, too, which is good for urban streets and tight car parks.

Performance is perfectly fine, if not all that competitive. Interestingly, it feels as if MINI’s engineers have dampened the initial acceleration feel you usually get from electric cars – floor the throttle and not all that much happens from 0-30mph.

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The Aceman also features the same ‘Experiences’ (or drive modes) that the electric versions of the Cooper hatchback and Countryman have. The default is ‘core’, with ‘green’ acting like an eco mode and ‘go kart’ being a sporty one. But some of the other modes are, frankly, weird; ‘balance’ mode has a persistent hum while you’re driving, like you’re sat in the middle of a yoga class, for example.

What impressed most, though, was the composed ride. MINIs are stereotypically hard-riding cars, with large wheels and firm suspension setups – but that’s not quite the case with the Aceman. The wheels are a reasonable size, but the suspension is a great balance between absorbing bumps in the road without feeling floppy or slack when cornering.

However, the available range may not be that attractive. Given MINI’s claims, it makes sense to go for the Aceman SE model. But, during our tests, that claimed 252-mile range hovered closely to 200 miles. Is that enough for you? Great. But plenty of the Aceman’s rivals can do better for a similar amount of money.