MINI Paceman Cooper 2013 Review

Price Guide (recommended price before statutory & delivery charges): $35,900
?Options fitted to test car (not included in above price): 17-inch Black Star alloy wheels $1000; White roof and mirror caps $NCO; Piano Black interior $275; Red Copper colour line $NCO; Clear indicator lenses $200; Metallic Paint $800?
Crash rating: Five-star ANCAP
?Fuel: 98 RON
?Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 6.5
?CO2 emissions (g/km): 152
?Also consider: Range Rover Evoque (from $49,995)

Your writer owned a MINI in 2005, in my pre-children days. Eight years later I’m older, busier and have two toddlers in tow, but I couldn’t wait to jump behind the wheel of the MINI Cooper Paceman.

Is it possible that a MINI could excite and delight me as it did way back when?

With stocky proportions and quirky looks, the MINI Paceman presents as a loyal package of muscle and mischief; like an automotive Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The seventh offering in the MINI family, it sits on the same platform created for the MINI Countryman, but is a three-door hatch.

The distinct wedge shape sets the Paceman apart from other MINI silhouettes. It’s available in two variants, Cooper and Cooper S.

Touted as a compact Sports Activity Coupe, the MINI Cooper Paceman promises more than your standard MINI. It certainly delivers that visually, but does the Paceman’s unique character exist in looks alone?

Powered by a naturally aspirated 1.6L four-cylinder petrol engine and mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, the MINI Cooper Paceman delivers 90kW at 6000rpm and peak torque of 160Nm at 4250rpm. And with this at hand, it moves from zero to 100km/h in 10.4 seconds.

At around 3500rpm, the MINI Cooper Paceman released an excitable hum – the engine sounds happy and it made me smile. It may not have the pace of some other MINIs -- 45kWs short of the MINI Cooper S Paceman -- but the Cooper Paceman works the life out its power and boasts great dynamics and the direct steering that typifies MINI's kart-like handling.  

You’re entering a partnership driving the Paceman; there’s no 'lounge' setting. It’s involved, energetic and engaging to steer. There’s a huge amount of feedback felt through the wheel - keep it at hand, or that youthful agility turns to an untidy squabble.

At higher speeds on demanding roads, it’s a mild work out. The ride is typically firm and punchy over bumps, but very comfortable seats mute the impact.

Sports seats and sports suspension are standard and the Paceman’s rigid chassis maintains a lovely flat attitude through corners.   

While the gearshift is short and easy to navigate, it’s a slightly notchy landscape down there – but it’s never hard to engage the right gear. The brakes are strong and predictable.

Visibility is quite good, thanks in the main to the elevated position of the front seats.

Inside you’re faced with a surprisingly lofty cabin that boasts uniquely MINI styling throughout. Colour coded leather, oversized instrumentation and high gloss black plastics deliver a modern, unique interior. It’s true MINI form. The sports seats are very comfortable and offer great support for driver and front passenger.

The MINI’s interior is well equipped to handle an abundance of drinks and detritus. There are two sturdy cupholders up front and two cup-holders anchor between the rear seats (seating for four only – see below); these are moveable and removable. Indoor pockets and centre console storage is good. The glovebox is of a decent size, however, when my husband was seated in the passenger seat, his knees were pressed so close that he couldn’t open it.

Oversized instrumentation is blindingly clear, as is the centre console and audio/infotainment system. Bluetooth phone pairing was simple and the USB audio interface worked seamlessly and delivers a crisp, balanced sound. The three-spoke multi-function sports leather steering wheel feels good in hand. It’s home to buttons for audio, telephone and cruise control.

A strictly four-seat, three-door hatch, I did manage to install two child seats for the duration of my time in the Paceman and it was easy enough to get the kids in and out, thanks to large, wide-opening doors.

With just two seats in the rear, comfort and space is maximised. Two adults are easily accommodated. Access to the second row was easy, but the flip and slide mechanism on the front seats was a little heavy and laboured for my liking.

I had one major dislike of the MINI Paceman – the handbrake. It’s shape and grab position is awkward and annoying. After a week in the MINI Cooper Paceman, its orientation still found me cursing with every grab.

The claimed combined fuel consumption for the Paceman is 6.5L/100km – and I achieved very close to this, seeing as low as 6.7L/100km.

What did surprise was how much I could pack into the load space of the Paceman. Measuring 330 litres and expanding to 1080 when the seats are folded down, the load space is versatile – within reason.

Standard safety equipment for the MINI Paceman includes driver and front passenger, side and curtain airbags (six in total), antilock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution and cornering brake control, dynamic stability control with brake assist and hill start assist.

It’s hard to pinpoint a direct competitor for the MINI Cooper Paceman – outside the MINI family, that is. Focusing on unique design, the larger, more expensive Range Rover Evoque, maybe?

You may well join the chorus and ask the pressing question, why would you style an already small vehicle and make it even smaller? The answer is, because it looks good!

Notwithstanding a pleasing array of specs and options, too, the MINI Cooper Paceman’s unique appeal is its looks. Otherwise, you would buy one of the other six MINIs on offer, surely? Tell me honestly, that looks aren’t important?

Eight years later, yes, the MINI can still excite me.

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