MINI Aceman 2024 Review

The Southeast Asian electric vehicle market is set to witness significant growth in 2024, with the C-segment SUV category becoming a popular choice among family users and young consumers for its balance of space and versatility. As MINI's first fully electric C-segment SUV, the MINI Aceman SE officially entered the local market in early October at a price of RM 213,880. With its premium features and iconic design heritage, it has garnered attention upon its debut. We had the opportunity to test drive the car to evaluate its real-world range, dynamic handling characteristics, and practicality for local family needs.

In terms of exterior design, the Aceman SE continues MINI's signature rounded styling but looks more robust due to its increased size. The front features a closed grille surrounded by LED daytime running lights with high recognition when illuminated. The trapezoidal air intake below and the silver skid plate enhance the SUV's off-road vibe. The side profile is clean and simple, with a floating roof and 18-inch five-spoke wheels providing a well-balanced proportion. At the rear, the circular LED taillights feature an inner ring light design, echoing the front; the rear bumper also features silver skid plates, while the concealed exhaust outlet (decorative as it’s a fully electric vehicle) maintains visual completeness. All lighting systems are LED, with automatic headlights and rear fog lights included as standard, ensuring convenience in daily use.

Inside the cabin, the interior design adopts a minimalist theme, with a 9.4-inch circular OLED central display dominating the dashboard as the visual centerpiece of the cockpit. The screen offers high clarity, smooth responsiveness, and supports both touch and voice controls. For materials, the door panels and seats are wrapped in leather with a soft touch, while the lower part of the dashboard and the armrest area use hard plastics, but the finish is refined and does not feel cheap. The seats are a highlight: the driver’s seat features electric adjustment, memory, and massage functions, while the passenger's seat also has electric adjustments. The rear seats are manually adjustable, but their cushion length and backrest angle are well-designed. In terms of space, the car measures 4076mm x 1754mm x 1515mm with a wheelbase of 2606mm. The front row provides ample space, with a 175cm tall passenger having a one-fist gap above the head, while the rear offers two-fist legroom and one-fist headroom, making it suitable for daily family trips. The trunk has a capacity of 300L, which can be expanded by folding the rear seats, easily accommodating a stroller or suitcase. Storage compartments are thoughtfully designed, with door bins that can hold two water bottles, and a practical center armrest box and cup holders.

For performance, the Aceman SE is equipped with a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor, delivering a maximum power of 160kW (218PS) and a peak torque of 330N·m. The official 0-100km/h acceleration time is 7.1 seconds. During actual driving, the power response is swift at launch, and a gentle press on the accelerator provides a noticeable pushback sensation. Mid-range and high-speed acceleration remain strong, and when overtaking with a firm press on the pedal, power delivery is linear without significant decline. There are three driving modes: Eco, Comfort, and Sport. In Eco mode, the power output is gentle and suitable for daily commutes; in Sport mode, throttle sensitivity is increased, steering is heavier, and the handling is more engaging. As for range, the official electric range is 406km. In our mixed driving conditions test (city roads 60% + highways 40%), the range achievement rate was about 85%, with an actual range of approximately 345km. At a cruising speed of 110km/h on the highway, energy consumption was around 18kWh/100km, while urban driving saw a consumption of 15kWh/100km, meeting expectations. Fast charging allows the battery to reach 80% in 0.5 hours, while slow charging takes about 7 hours, catering to different charging scenarios.

The handling and chassis performance have always been traditional strengths of MINI, and the Aceman SE is no exception. The steering is precise with minimal slack, feeling light at low speeds and steady at high speeds, giving the driver ample confidence. The chassis features a front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link independent suspension, with a tuning that is on the firm side but remains resilient. When crossing speed bumps or bumpy roads, the suspension quickly absorbs vibrations without excessive body rebounds; during cornering, body roll is well-controlled, and stability is strong. The sound insulation is excellent, and at a speed of 120km/h, wind and tire noise are maintained within a reasonable range, allowing undisturbed in-car conversations. The braking performance is stable, with a braking distance of approximately 38 meters from 100-0km/h. The brake pedal has a linear feel, and braking force is released evenly. In specialized testing, the energy recovery system offers three adjustable levels, with the highest level producing a noticeable drag effect when the accelerator is released, effectively enhancing range, while the lowest level provides a coasting experience similar to gasoline-powered cars, making it suitable for beginners to adapt to.

Overall, the core strengths of the Aceman SE lie in three aspects: first, its premium-level configurations, such as the HUD head-up display, 360-degree panoramic cameras, Harman Kardon audio system, and seat massage functions, which are rare among competitors in the same price range (like Volkswagen ID.4 and Hyundai Kona Electric); second, its handling retains MINI's DNA, with a solidly tuned chassis and precise steering, balancing driving fun with comfort; third, its strong space practicality meets the needs of family users. Compared to other vehicles in its class, its pricing is slightly higher, but its advantage in configurations makes it stand out with excellent value for money.

Regarding the target audience, it is mainly suitable for family users who value driving enjoyment and need space for daily outings without sacrificing driving dynamics; secondly, it caters to young consumers attracted to MINI's brand identity and tech-focused features; and finally, it suits urban commuters, offering enough pure electric range for daily commutes and convenient fast-charging functionality.

In summary, the MINI Aceman SE is a "well-rounded and standout" pure electric C-segment SUV. It inherits MINI's driving DNA while meeting family needs through its premium configurations and practical space. If you are looking for an electric vehicle that balances individuality, practicality, and driving enjoyment, the Aceman SE is worth considering.