Review: Mini Aceman is All About the Tactile Experience

For the uninitiated, navigating Mini’s ever-expanding lineup can be a real head-scratcher. Let’s simplify things by focusing on Mini’s electric trio in Singapore: the Mini Electric, the Mini Aceman, and the Mini Countryman.

The Mini Electric is your “classic” mini Mini. It’s compact, nimble, and zips around like a go-kart—with just enough room to haul your groceries or a very valuable friend. The Countryman, on the other hand, bulks up the iconic Mini form. Think: taller, broader, more powerful, and far roomier. The Countryman is more suitable and practical for families, but, like most musclemen, it trades agility for brawn.

Enter the Aceman, launched here in October 2024, designed as the “Goldilocks” of the trio. Not too small, not too bulky—just the right blend of fun, function, and flair.

And, as part of Mini’s electrification plan to go fully electric by the early 2030s, the Aceman is electric-only. No petrol engine. No rumble. Just surprisingly likeable synthetic sounds.

So why choose a Mini (and Mini Aceman in particular) amidst the jungle of electric vehicles (EVs) out there?

Two words: tactile experience.

Tactile Experience #1: Heritage

You walk up to your Aceman, parked silently like an obedient pup. A loyal car, waiting for you to take the wheel. And with every step you take, something stirs in your heart.

In your mind, you know you are not just walking up to any boring EV. You’re walking toward a piece of cultural heritage, a car with Union Jack for taillights and fun-loving personality.

In Singapore—a former British colony that still insists on spelling “tyre” with a ‘y’—the Mini feels oddly at home.

Sure, the brand’s now German-owned, and yes, this particular car is assembled in China. But none of that dulls its charm. The silhouette is still unmistakably British, and the Union Jack rear lights aren’t subtle—they’re a proud wink to the past.

Driving a Mini isn’t just about getting from A to B. It’s about owning a slice of motoring history and wearing it like a tailored blazer. It’s iconic, it’s expressive—and it still knows how to have a bit of fun.

Tactile Experience #2: The Impecable Interior

You open the door and step in. You are immediately greeted by a space that is uniquely Mini.

Here’s the 360-degree view. Feel free to pinch and zoom around to pretend you are in the car.

Front and centre is the pièce de résistance: a massive circular OLED infotainment screen—bold, bright, and unapologetically round. It’s a clear nod to Mini’s classic central speedometer from the early days, reimagined for the digital age. This is Mini doing what it does best: mixing nostalgia with novelty.

Flick through the driving “Experiences”, and one of them—Timeless—transforms the entire display into an old-school dial setup, complete with charmingly retro fonts that feel like they were lifted straight off a 1970s British rail sign. It’s delightfully old-fashioned in the most self-aware way.

Lower your gaze and you’ll find a tactile playground: a row of toggle switches, each with a satisfying metallic click, and a start/stop switch styled like an oversized key fob from the 1960s.

To start the car, you don’t just press a button—you give that chunky toggle a firm twist. It’s not necessary. It’s not efficient. And that’s exactly why it’s perfect.

Then there’s the material palette. You might glance around and assume the usual mix of leather and plastic—but look again. What appears to be leather on the doors and dash is actually high-quality textured fabric, woven into tactile patterns that beg to be touched. It’s soft, it’s warm, and it’s different. In a sea of hard black plastic in other EVs, the Aceman’s fabric-wrapped surfaces feel refreshingly human.

Even the speaker covers and door handles get their moment—carefully integrated with ambient lighting that glows gently based on your selected Experience mode. Mood lighting isn’t just for nightclubs anymore.

Then you notice what you’re sitting on. The seats—especially in the Sports Edition trim—are wrapped in lush, contrast-stitched upholstery. The bolstering hugs you just right, firm enough to support you in tight corners, but comfy enough for everyday drives.

Storage is practical too. The centre console is cleverly arranged with wireless charging, large cupholders (yes, they fit a bubble tea cup, I tried). At the rear, you get a decent 300 litres of boot space—enough to handle strollers, shopping bags, or the occasional IKEA binge without a fuss.

Every surface, switch, and stitch in the Aceman seems designed to engage your senses. It doesn’t just look good—it feels good. You’re not just inside a Mini. You’re part of its personality.

Tactile Experience #3: The Drive

Let’s be honest—the reason anyone even considers a Mini is simple: how it drives.

From the very first turn of the wheel, the Aceman SE reassures you that yes, this is still a Mini. It’s light, sharp, and playful in a way few other EVs dare to be. The steering is tight and direct—telepathic, almost. You so much as think about changing lanes and the car responds like an obedient puppy eager to please. There’s zero slop, no dead zones, no artificial numbness. Just real-time connection between your hands and the road.

Even in normal mode, the Aceman feels alive under you. But dial it to Go-Kart Mode, and it turns cheeky. Steering weights up, regen backing off, acceleration dialled to max—and suddenly you’re not in a sensible urban EV anymore, you’re in your own personal Mario Kart level. There’s even a G-force meter that dances as you toss it around corners. Totally unnecessary. Utterly brilliant.

Power delivery from the front-mounted electric motor (215 hp and 330 Nm of torque) is immediate and punchy. 0 to 100 km/h in around 7.1 seconds isn’t headline-grabbing in a world of sub-4-second performance EVs, but that’s missing the point.

It’s not just about how fast—it’s about how fun. And the Aceman delivers that in spades. The relatively light body means acceleration feels zippy, and yes—you can get the front wheels to chirp easily if you’re feeling mischievous. Just switch to “Go-Kart” mode, grab your steering wheels tight, stomp down on the pedal and hope for the best.

That go-kart feeling isn’t just about the power or the size—it’s about suspension. The Aceman’s setup is firm, almost aggressively so. You will feel the road, and then some. On Singapore’s uneven tarmac, that means you’ll bounce a little, jostle a bit, and occasionally question your life choices if you just had too much bubble tea. But it’s worth it. Because the moment you hit a winding road or a tight bend, the Aceman responds with the agility and attitude of a car far more expensive and far less practical.

There’s a rawness to the way the Aceman handles corners—no lean, no wallow, just grip and giggles. It encourages you to push a little harder, brake a little later, and smile a lot more.

Then there’s the regen braking system, which deserves a special mention. It’s not just strong—it’s smart. Unlike many EVs that slap on aggressive regen the moment you lift off the pedal, the Aceman modulates its regen based on how hard you were accelerating or how fast you were going. That means it mimics the feel of traditional engine braking across different gears—an intuitive touch that makes one-pedal driving feel more natural and less jarring.

Closing Thoughts

Let’s face it—on paper, the Mini Aceman SE doesn’t seem like the logical choice. It’s not the fastest EV you can buy. It’s not the most spacious, or the most affordable, or even the most range-efficient. In a spec sheet battle, the Aceman would likely come in third or fourth.

And yet… here I am, reluctant to hand the keys back to Eurokars Habitat when my time is up.

Because the Mini Aceman isn’t built for spreadsheets or logic—it’s built for feel. And in a market overflowing with EVs that all promise “tech-laden minimalism” and “efficient mobility solutions,” the Aceman is one of the few that remembers something crucial: driving can still be fun.

It’s that rare electric car that doesn’t just go from point A to B—it does it with flair, with cheek, with character. It makes you smile when you walk up to it. It makes you grin when you turn that chunky starter switch. And it makes you laugh out loud when you hit a corner just a little too fast in Go-Kart Mode and the G-force meter flickers back at you like, “Steady on, mate.”

Yes, it’s a little firm. Yes, the boot isn’t massive. And yes, some plastics inside remind you that BMW still knows how to cut costs when it wants to. But you forgive all of that. Because the Aceman feels alive. And how many EVs today can truly say that?

It’s the EV for people who don’t want to drive a spaceship. For people who value physical switches, fabric textures, and having eight moods to choose from on a weekday morning. For people who believe a car should be more than just an appliance.

If you’re the sort who wants your drive to feel like something—something tactile, something joyful, something different—the Mini Aceman SE might just be your new best friend.

What’s to like Precise and immediate handling Wheel spins on demand! Practical and spacious passenger cabin (for a Mini) High quality and well-built interior

What’s holding it back Rear passenger seats still a little too narrow Battery (and therefore range) is on the smaller side

Key Figures

Battery Capacity	54.2 kWh for SE, 42.5 kWh for E
Range (WLTP)	407 km for SE, 310 km for E
Torque	330 Nm for SE, 290 Nm for E
Power	SE: 160 kW (215bhp), 0-100km/h in 7.1s E: 110 kW (148bhp), 0-100km/h in 9.2s
Boot Space	300 L (105 L if rear seats are folded down)
Price (with COE)	SE: S$ 243,888 (May 2025) E: S$ 214,888 (May 2025)

Curious to experience the Mini Aceman for yourself? Book your test-drive with Eurokars Habitat today.