Should you buy one?

It feels a little like the MINI Aceman is a case of design being put ahead of functionality. This is one of the least practical small family cars of its size – something that will put off the kinds of people who usually shop for a car like this.

That said, the Aceman oozes the same subjective charm that drips off the rest of the MINI range – which might be enough to pull you back in again. If this is what you’re looking for, it’s going to beat a Volvo EX30 or Vauxhall Mokka Electric for you, no questions asked.

It’s one of the best cars to drive in its class too in terms of driving enjoyment, not feeling dissimilar from the brilliant MINI Cooper hatchback. But be prepared to put up with an overly firm, bordering uncomfortable ride, especially on Sport models with the largest wheels. It’s worth a test drive to make sure you can get on with it. We also recommend the Level 1 option pack is fitted as a minimum to get the head-up display, as otherwise you have to make do without a speedo in front of you.

What we like

The Aceman excels at driving just like a MINI Cooper Electric, with sharp and accurate steering and a general eagerness you’d expect from a model wearing the badge. It’s a fun thing to zip around city streets in. Its interior is also a major strength, too, feeling like a well-put-together place to spend your time. Interesting and colourful materials can be had, and the Aceman has a good amount of equipment as standard.

What we don’t like

This is also one of the least practical small electric SUVs of its kind, with a small boot area and only acceptable second row. Yes, this is still a small car, but the Aceman doesn’t feel competitive here. The ride on our test car, admittedly on the largest wheels, was also pretty terrible, so we recommend going for a non-Sport model on a smaller set of wheels.