Mini Aceman review

That entry-level price of £28,905 in the UK looks fairly tempting, but for that you’re getting the less powerful Aceman E and a teeny battery. Just 192 miles of WLTP range, so more like 130 in practice. Eek.

Plus, the boggo Classic trim really doesn’t include much kit. You do get LED lights front and rear, that large 9.4in circular touchscreen, cruise control, a rear-view camera and navigation, but you also only get 17in wheels and silver paint combined with a black or grey interior.

For funkier paint options and a brighter interior you’ll need to make the jump to Exclusive trim, and even if you reckon you can make do with the E, that’ll set you back £31,105. Sport trim on the same model is even more at £32,405, although that does add fresh bumpers, black trim and 18in wheels.

The SE is probably the one you want with slightly more power and a usefully bigger battery. It also gets the ‘Level 1’ options pack as standard (a £2,000 box to tick if you only want the E) which includes things like adaptive headlights, the head-up display, folding mirrors, heated front seats and wireless phone charging. Prices start at £31,905 for the Classic, but again we’d want to make the step to the £34,105 Exclusive trim to make the most of the Mini’s brighter colours and recycled interior fabrics.

On the SE the ‘Level 2’ options pack is £2,000 and adds things like a Harman Kardon stereo and panoramic glass roof, while the £4,500 ‘Level 3’ adds electric memory seats, active cruise control, an interior camera and augmented reality directions to the navigation. Neat. Extortionate, but neat.

Having slashed the price structure in recent months the Aceman now undercuts stuff like the EX30 and Megane E-Tech Electric, but only just. And they’re more talented machines, so we reckon you’re better off paying the extra.

The John Cooper Works version is £36,905. Don’t do it to yourself.