MINI Aceman Review

The competition in the current B-Segment pure electric SUV market is becoming increasingly intense. Consumers want the urban flexibility provided by a compact body while also expecting an exceptional experience in performance and configuration — the 2025 MINI Aceman JCW is specifically designed to meet this demand. As the performance version of the Aceman series, it not only carries forward MINI's iconic design language but also boosts the motor power to 190kW, achieving an acceleration of 0-100km/h in only 6.4 seconds, while retaining a practical 5-door 5-seat layout. In this test drive, we will focus on verifying whether its performance lives up to the sporty positioning of the JCW badge, as well as balancing daily usability and comfort.

Approaching the 2025 Aceman JCW, the first thing to catch the eye is its enhanced sporty exterior. It continues the boxy profile of the Aceman overall, but the front face features a more aggressive black honeycomb grille, with decorative strips on the grille's outer edge and both sides of the front bumper highlighted in bright red accents. The JCW badge is embedded on the right side of the grille, delivering instant recognition. The side profile of the car showcases clean lines, with 19-inch dual five-spoke alloy wheels paired with 225/40 R19 tires. The black scratch-resistant strips on the wheel arches are wider than the standard version, complemented by a slightly sloping roofline to create a low and sporty stance. The changes at the rear likewise focus on details: the smoked LED taillight clusters maintain the same structure as the standard version, but a diffuser-style decorative piece has been added below the rear bumper. Together with the dual black decorative exhaust pipes (purely for styling), the performance-oriented design is further emphasized. The lighting system comes standard with LED across the lineup. The automatic headlights and daytime running lights have a quick response time, offering sufficient penetration when illuminated at night to clearly light up the road ahead.

Opening the car door, the interior blends sporty ambiance with a sense of technology. The centerpiece of the dashboard is a circular 9.4-inch MINI OLED screen. The system operates smoothly and supports voice control and smartphone connectivity, with frequently used functions such as navigation and music easily accessible. Seats are upholstered in a combination of leather and Alcantara fabric, with JCW-exclusive red stitching and badges on the front seats. The side bolsters and thigh supports offer stronger wrapping than the standard version, providing ample support during spirited driving. Both the driver and front passenger seats are electrically adjustable, with a wide range of adjustments, making it easy to find a comfortable sitting position. As for materials, the upper part of the dashboard is made of soft-touch materials, and the inner sides of the door panels are wrapped in leather, giving a good tactile feel to the parts that are often touched. The space performance aligns with the expectations of the B-Segment: the wheelbase is 2,606mm, and a front-row passenger with a height of 175cm has a headroom of one fist and two fingers. Rear-row passengers of the same height enjoy legroom of about two fists and headroom of one fist, sufficient for daily family outings. The rear middle floor is almost flat, making it less cramped for three passengers sitting temporarily. In terms of storage capability, the front cabin includes two cup holders, a phone slot with wireless charging, and door panel storage compartments that can hold two bottles of mineral water. The trunk has a capacity of 300 liters, enough to accommodate two carry-on suitcases. The rear seats support a 60:40 split fold, which expands the space to fit items like a baby stroller or luggage for short trips. The rear row is equipped with air vents and USB ports, with detailed considerations thoughtfully addressed.

Start the vehicle, and the power response brought by the 258PS (190kW) permanent magnet synchronous motor is direct and swift. Switching to SPORT mode, the moment you step on the accelerator pedal, you can feel a strong push-back sensation. The 0-100km/h acceleration of 6.4 seconds places it at the upper level among pure electric SUVs in the same segment. It provides strong confidence when overtaking in the city or merging into highways. In ECO mode, the power output is smoother, making it suitable for daily commuting and effectively reducing power consumption. The steering wheel has a relatively heavy feel, precise direction, and no obvious play. When cornering, it can clearly feedback road information. With the tuning of the front MacPherson struts and rear multi-link independent suspension, the body roll is well controlled in corners. Even at relatively high speeds, the vehicle can maintain a stable posture. The chassis's shock absorption balances sportiness and comfort: when dealing with common urban speed bumps or potholes, the suspension can quickly absorb shocks, with no noticeable residual vibration transmitted to the cabin; at high speeds, the chassis feels solid without any floating sensation.

In terms of specific tests, the official pure electric range is 355km. In our test under conditions of city congestion and highways (50% each) with air conditioning on throughout, the final range achievement rate was about 85%, allowing for nearly 300km of actual driving—sufficient for a week's commute (50km per day). Fast charging can charge from 10% to 80% in 30 minutes, while slow charging takes 5.25 hours to fully charge, meeting the mainstream level of efficiency in its class. The electricity consumption is 16.4kWh per 100km, close to the official data, making daily usage cost-efficient. The braking system performs stably, with a front ventilated disc and rear ventilated disc combination. The brake pedal feels linear, and during emergency braking, the vehicle maintains a stable posture without any obvious nose-diving.

As for driving comfort, the noise control of the Aceman JCW is commendable: when driving at low speeds, the motor noise is almost inaudible. At high speeds (110km/h), there is a slight increase in wind and tire noise, but it remains within an acceptable range and does not hinder in-car conversations. The regenerative braking offers three adjustable levels. When set to the highest level, releasing the pedal gives a noticeable drag effect, similar to engine braking in fuel-powered cars, which suits users familiar with electric vehicles. The lowest level, on the other hand, is closer to the coasting experience of fuel cars, allowing new users to adapt quickly. As for seat comfort, although the seats are highly supportive, the padding is not overly firm. Even after a long ride (more than 2 hours), they remain comfortable. The rear seats have a moderate recline with sufficient back support, making long trips acceptable.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2025 MINI Aceman JCW are evident: outstanding performance with a 0-100km/h acceleration of 6.4 seconds, leading its class; comprehensive features, including standard HUD, 360-degree panoramic camera, Harman Kardon audio system, and more. Compared to the similarly priced 2024 Aceman SE (which boasts a longer range but slower acceleration by 0.7 seconds), this model better satisfies users seeking a sporty experience. Its design retains classic MINI elements while incorporating JCW-exclusive identifiers, giving it high recognizability. Compared to competitors in its class, such as the Volkswagen ID.3 or Hyundai Kona Electric, the Aceman JCW stands out with better sport performance, a stronger brand character, and more comprehensive configurations.

This car is suitable for two types of people: first, young people who value driving pleasure, who appreciate MINI's brand culture and need the practicality for daily commuting; second, families with a certain budget, seeking a balance of performance and features. The 5-door, 5-seat layout meets the needs of family travel, while the performance can occasionally satisfy the desire for driving excitement.

Overall, the 2025 MINI Aceman JCW is a "fun yet practical" fully electric SUV. It has not sacrificed too much practicality for performance, nor has it abandoned MINI's sporty DNA for the sake of practicality. It is a great choice in its class that balances performance and daily use.