MINI Aceman vs MINI Countryman SE – Why Smaller Might just Be Better
The first-ever electric MINI Aceman is the brand’s smallest crossover since the original 2011 Countryman. But smaller doesn’t necessarily mean less usable. When we compare it to the larger electric Countryman SE, we see some surprisingly similar dimensions and even comparable performance. So, how do they really differ, and which one is better for you? We delved into exclusive data on both cars to find the answers.
A Deep Look at the Numbers
While the Aceman effectively replaced the Clubman in the MINI lineup, it’s more of a follow-up to the original R60 Countryman or the 2024 F55 Cooper S 5-door. As you can see below, the dimensions support this comparison.
| Models | J05 Aceman SE / ELECTRIC (’24-’31) | F55 Cooper 5 Door / PETROL (’14-’24) | R60 Countryman All4 S / PETROL (’10-’16) | F60 Countryman All4 S / PETROL (’17-’23) | U25 Countryman SE / ELECTRIC (’24-’32) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 4079 mm / 161 in | 3982 mm / 156.8 in | 4097 mm / 161.3 in | 4298 mm / 169.2 in | 4429 mm / 174.37 in |
| Height | 1514 mm / 59.6 in | 142.5 mm / 56.1 in | 1562 mm / 61.5 in | 1557 mm / 61.3 in | 1613 mm / 63.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 2526 mm / 99.44 in | 2567 mm / 101 in | 2596 mm / 102.2 in | 2670 mm / 105.1 in | 2692 mm / 106 in |
| Weight | 1710 kg / 3,770 lbs | 1355 kg / 2987 lbs | 1455 kg / 3208 lbs | 1605 kg / 3538 lbs | 2075 kg / 4,574 lbs |
It’s important to note that the electric Countryman SE is built on an internal combustion platform, so it doesn’t fully benefit from the flexibility and space efficiency an EV skateboard chassis can offer. That means the difference in external dimensions may not directly translate to interior size.
With that in mind, it’s not surprising that the Countryman is a full 13” longer and 4” taller than the Aceman. It’s also 800 lbs heavier due to its larger battery and structure. So, it’s a materially larger vehicle on the outside. But, as we alluded to earlier, it’s the interior where things get interesting.
Surprisingly, the Countryman’s wheelbase is only 6” longer than the Aceman’s, despite the overall 13” length difference. This means that, while the Aceman is smaller, its wheelbase is proportionally longer, pushing the wheels to the corners and creating more interior volume—much like the original Mini. This design results in surprising interior space in certain areas.
| Interior | J05 Aceman (’24-’31) | U25 Countryman (’24-’32) |
|---|---|---|
| First Row Legroom | 1045 mm / 41.1“ | 1026 mm / 40.4″ |
| Second Row Legroom | 822 mm / 32″ | 941 mm / 37″ |
| First Row Shoulder Room | 1370mm / 53.9″ | 1459mm / 57.4″ |
| Second Row Shoulder Room | 1338 / 52.6″ | 1392 / 54.8″ |
| Headroom First Row (w/sunroof) | 1036 mm / 40.8″ | 1034mm / 40.7″ |
| Headroom First Row (w/sunroof) | 958 / 37.7″ | 960 / 37.8″ |
| Luggage capacity (up/down) | 450 / 1450 L | 707 – 1586 L |
For instance, the smaller Aceman actually offers more interior space in two key areas: front legroom and headroom. As mentioned earlier, this is due to the Aceman’s dedicated electric chassis, giving MINI designers and engineers much more flexibility when it comes to interior packaging.
MINI Countryman vs Aceman: Range
Let’s start with the range. As shown below, the battery size varies significantly between the Aceman and the Countryman. Thanks to its larger size, MINI was able to fit a bigger battery into the new Countryman. However, it’s worth considering if this was a calculated move by MINI. Knowing that the Aceman is 800 lbs lighter, MINI likely wanted to keep the Aceman more nimble and cost-effective by limiting its weight and price.
| J05 Aceman E | J05 Aceman SE | U25 Countryman E | U25 Countryman SE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Size | 42.5 kWh | 54.2 kWh | 66.5 kWh | 66.5 kWh |
| Usable Battery Capacity | 38.5 kWh | 49.2 kWh | 64.7 kWh | 64.7 kWh |
| WLTP Range | 310 km / 193 miles | 407 km / 253 miles | 462 km / 287 miles | 430 km / 267 miles |
Despite the differences in battery size and weight, the Aceman holds its own against the Countryman with a WLTP range of 253 miles compared to the Countryman SE’s 267 miles.
One interesting note: the Countryman E and SE share the same battery, whereas the Aceman E and SE do not. This directly impacts the range for the Aceman E versus the Countryman E.
What does this mean for real-world range? EVdatabase.org offers excellent insights into this, publishing estimated ranges based on different weather conditions. As you can see, there’s a notable difference between mild and cold temperatures. But it’s important to note that these are estimations, not real-world data.
| Mild Weather Scenarios | J05 Aceman SE | U25 Countryman SE |
|---|---|---|
| City – Mild Weather * | 440 km / 273 miles | 535 km / 332 miles |
| Highway – Mild Weather * | 275 km / 171 miles | 340 km / 211 miles |
| Combined – Mild Weather * | 345 km / 214 miles | 420 km / 261 miles |
| Cold Weather Scenarios | J05 Aceman SE | U25 Countryman SE |
|---|---|---|
| City – Cold Weather * | 290 km / 180 miles | 360 km / 224 miles |
| Highway – Cold Weather * | 210 km / 131 miles | 265 km / 165 miles |
| Combined – Cold Weather * | 250 km / 155 miles | 310 km / 192 miles |
MINI Countryman vs Aceman: Performance
Now, let’s look at outright performance. Although data is limited, what we do have suggests a clear win for the Countryman SE in terms of acceleration. However, with most electric vehicles, speed comes at the expense of range, so both cars have relatively low top speeds.
| Exterior | J05 Aceman E | J05 Aceman SE | U25 Countryman E | U25 Countryman SE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7.9 seconds | 7.1 seconds | 8.6 seconds | 5.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 160 km/h / 99 mph | 170 km/h / 106 mph | 169 km/h / 105 mph | 180 km/h / 112 mph |
As for track performance, it could be a different story. With its 800-lb weight advantage, the Aceman SE might edge out the Countryman SE on the right track. But that remains conjecture for now.
Aceman vs Countryman – Conclusions
There’s no question that the Aceman is a more MINI-like vehicle in terms of its proportions and maximizing space. In fact, it’s actually larger in some dimensions than the new U25 Countryman.
Equally important, it embodies the MINI ethos with its lighter weight and agility. This gives us a strong sense of how it will handle, suggesting the Aceman could hit a sweet spot in the MINI range, likely to be highly popular with potential buyers.
