It was supposed to be the winner.
The name Aceman suggests swagger. A triumph for the brand. A car designed to dominate the mass-market sector without breaking a sweat. But after 1,295 miles, my back is filing a grievance and I am counting down the days until my physiotherapist’s appointment. The charm is undeniable, yes. The price tag, not so much. It might be a bad beat instead of a hand victory.
The Backstory
I am young enough that neck pain should theoretically be alien to me. Mid-twenties, mostly invincible, right?
Wrong.
My body is currently at war with this car. It started a year ago, a slow burn that culminated in this love-hate dynamic with our fleet’s newest electric addition.
If you aren’t plugged into the MINI ecosystem: the Aceman is a five-door electric vehicle. Not a petrol one. Petrol MINIs keep their hatchback shape. This? This wears SUV clothes. An à la mode silhouette built to compete directly with the Ford Puma Gen-E, one of the best-sellers in its class. Both brands know how to make small cars fun.
On paper, the Aceman SE promises that joy. It has darty steering. It has 215bhp that feels startling when you plant your foot. It begs to be thrown at a winding rural road.
I looked forward to it.
I was wrong.
Hard Seats, Softer Regrets
The Puma manages the impossible: driving pleasure paired with actual comfort.
I didn’t need a long trip to find out the Aceman cannot pull off the same trick. Just one street. Just my own driveway.
My first car, a 2014 Mini One, felt less like a superminia and more like a bouncy castle on wheels. The suspension was firm, yes, but springy. Lively. This car feels like a different kind of fortress. Rock-solid. Uncompromising.
It is an Exclusive model. Loaded.
£40,000. Eye-watering.
Inside, you get ‘Dark Petrol’ blue vegan leather. Distinctive? Absolutely. Worth the cost? The material suggests yes. It pairs with matching blue door panels. I wish the doors had more padding for my elbow. The central armrest, styled like an office chair, is infinitely softer. The door handles are harder than a concrete slab.
The Tech Tangle
One bright spot? The driver’s seat massage.
Included in the Level 3 options pack. Vital on longer journeys where the road imperfections transfer straight to your spine. The button sits on the side of the seat. Intuitive. Simple.
Heating the seats? Two taps on the 9.4-inch circular screen. The screen itself is vivid and responsive, but the interaction feels like reaching for water when you’re thirsty.
Efficiency is middling. Around 180 miles of range on a full 49.2 kWh usable charge. Acceptable, if not class-leading.
The charging speed leaves something to be desired. 100 kW max. In an era of rapid chargers pushing 150 kW or higher, this feels leisurely. A slow sip from the tap.
Noisy Cruising
The motorway highlights the flaws in the package.
We tested the Exclusive spec, which rolls on upgraded 19-inch alloys. Standard gets 18s. The larger wheels jiggle over bumps. The low-profile tyres roar. It is a cacophony.
Then there is the wind. The upright windshield creates a distinct whistle at speed.
To cope, I lean on the Harman Kardon stereo. Part of the expensive pack, sure, but also genuinely the best sound system in this price bracket. It drowns out the noise. It almost drowns out the discomfort.
Practicality? Not Really
Practicality is where the Aceman truly folds.
The boot offers 300 litres.
Compare that to the Puma Gen-E’s 556 litres. That is nearly double. With the rear seats up, you are playing with leftovers.
Headroom suffers under the glass sunroof. Adult passengers fit, they just sit upright, rigidly waiting for the next speed bump. Until that moment hits, it is passable.
Then the bump comes. And everything jolts.
Is it a terrible car? No. It is fast. It looks stunning. The design language is pure MINI, unapologetic and bold. But it demands a physical toll for the privilege.
“The hallmark charm is still there,” one reviewer noted, rubbing their lower back.
Six months left on the test. Maybe the suspension settles. Maybe I build a callous on my spine. Or maybe the price is simply too high for a car that fights you at every turn.
The verdict is still pending. The pain is immediate.
3.5/5
