MINI Aceman E
Volvo EX30 110kW
Rewind just a few years ago and this story would have been impossible - an indication of the pace that the all-electric compact crossover segment has grown here in Singapore.
In August last year, we pitted the Volvo EX30 (in its 200kW guise) against the Smart #1. Both were trailblazers in a bold new segment then. But today, the market is awash with options for those looking for a compact yet tall-bodied commuter: The Zeekr X is now available here with a Cat A COE-friendly power output, for starters. Don't need a premium branded product? There's a new Atto 2 to consider, or the Jaecoo J6.
And if you want something from a well-established brand with a bit of history, these two are likely to be on your shopping list. But just which is the better pick?
The Volvo EX30 is making a return for this story. But don't let the familiar numbers on its license plate fool you: This car isn't the same as the Cloud Blue example we drove in 2024.
That car brought the Volvo brand into the compact crossover segment, but with power from this Crystal White Swedish crossover now capped at 110kW, this variant is all set to take the firm into the fray for the more budget-friendly shoppers looking for a Cat A COE car.
And that also puts it square within the cross hairs of the MINI Aceman E. Also offering a power output of 110kW, this Aceman aims to bring all the charm of going small (a MINI speciality, after all) with the benefits of a slightly elevated body.
And can the MINI Aceman charm. Design highlights here include a departure from the circular head lights that are utilised across the rest of the MINI lineup, the Union Jack taillights, and the generous cladding that wraps around the entire lower section of the car.
The Volvo EX30, in contrast, isn't saddled with as much visual addenda (peculiar taillight arrangement aside). It sports clean sides and an attractive stance, which many looking for a premium crossover should find appealing.
But when it comes to the cabin of the EX30, this minimalism comes at some detriment. The lack of an instrument cluster is easily overcome thanks to the addition of a head-up display, but there's plenty else that infuriates even after some days of familiarisation in the Volvo.
I've complained about the useability failings of this car at length in our original review, but to sum, the chief complains include the fact that there's no physical controls, so you'll access all your entertainment and air-conditioning settings via the 12.3-inch infotainment screen. Mind, this is a system that places two separate buttons for the air-conditioning temperature and fan speed so adjusting both is a job that requires an extra jab at the screen than in other cars.
Then there's the clumsy use of a button to convert the window switches for the front doors to operate those at the rear, and the fact that there's no auto-tilt feature for the wing mirrors when you set the car into reverse.
Having said all this, the Volvo's build quality is impeccable, and that Harman Kardon soundbar at the front does such a great job it makes the multi-speaker systems in other cars comical in comparison. And you can add to all this the fact that there's a multitude of storage options here.
Which is exactly where the MINI doesn't exactly fair as well. Need to stow away anything larger than a smartphone here? There's the glovebox and precious nothing else (there's no frunk here either).
Stepping from the Volvo into the MINI also highlights just how little space there is for yourself in the Aceman. Where the EX30 feels open and airy, the Aceman (a slightly smaller car, to be fair) feels restrictive.
Still, that 9.4-inch round infotainment screen cleverly has its own tab that houses all your recently accessed sub-menus so there is some assistance while you're still getting familiar with it all, and the wide choice of experience modes here more than rivals the various ambience themes available in the Volvo.
But of course, no inner-city commuter would be worth its weight if it could not zip through city streets to quickly bring you from location to destination.
Forget what you know about either brand: The Volvo is the more impressive car here, always feeling the more urgent car when you're doing the daily commute. And the numbers confirm this: With 343Nm to torque to deploy, the EX30 cracks the zero to 100km/h sprint in just 8.6 seconds (the MINI takes 9.2 seconds) despite weighing 120kg more.
The Volvo also rewards eager driving with an appropriately paced steering that makes it feels eager to turn-in alongside good grip levels at all four corners. You will note, however, that it does give in to some dive under hard braking.
But if the Volvo proves excellent on city streets, the MINI feels tuned more for the open road. The Aceman comes with a heavier steering complete with more feedback. And its 'throttle' tuning is the more progressive of the two cars here, allowing easier control over the exact amount of acceleration deployed.
The MINI Aceman does exhibit a quite the fidgety ride, however. If general comfort over longer drives is your priority, make a beeline over to the Volvo.
And of course, there's pricing to consider. As tested, this Volvo EX30 in its 'Ultra' trim complete with a 69kWh battery comes in at $238,000, a fair bit more than the $220,888 that the MINI Aceman E is asking for.
But take note that the MINI comes with a smaller 42.5kWh battery, and the fact that there's also a 'Plus' variant of the EX30, available from just $224,000 and equipped with a 51kWh battery that's still larger than that in this MINI Aceman E.
If the charm of the Aceman's design choices, both inside and out, appeal to you, take solace in knowing that it's a fine product that takes the traditional appeal of a compact product from the brand into the high riding body that is so in-trend today.
But the better cabin space and more urgent drive of the Volvo, coupled with its lower entry price and bigger battery capacity, all prove irresistible to our more practical side today. Watch it continue to show up some of the best cars that will continue to emerge to and compete in this segment.
Shopping for a small inner-city runabout? These comparisons might interest you:
We pit the eye-catching MINI Countryman against the refined Audi Q4 e-tron here!
Or you might want to catch our comparison of the sporty MG4 against the adorable Ora Good Cat here!
And you can also see just how the Volvo EX30 fared against the Smart #1 here!
