In New York, Mini->ke57 has just finished introducing us to the 2015 Countryman. Not one to limit its attendance to just one major auto show, Mini decided to spread its new models out evenly by opting to introduce the equally refreshed 2015 Paceman in Beijing->ke2062.

Ok, maybe 'refreshed' isn't the right word to describe the 2015 Paceman because, well, there aren't too many changes to begin with. It does adopt some of the changes made to the Countryman, but that's not saying a lot.

So, in essence, the 2015 Paceman's biggest change is its a new model year.

But it's not the Paceman's fault, nor is it Minis, for that matter. The Paceman, after all, was only introduced a few years ago, so a major refresh probably still isn't in the cards until next year. More importantly, with the company's expansion plans in full effect, Mini's new-found lineup versatility has given rise to more choices for its customers.

2015 Mini Paceman

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Mini Paceman
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 122
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Just like the five-door Countryman, the 2015 Paceman doesn't come with a whole lot of noticeable changes, unless you count the three new color options Mini is offering with the new Paceman. The good news is that same Jungle Green shade we swooned over on the Countryman is also going to be available on the Paceman.

Other minor revisions to the exterior include what looks like a shorter hood, an elongated silhouette that comes by way of the flowing roof line, and the tapering side window graphic. New standard and optionally available light-alloy wheels with reduced weight have also been made available.

The 2015 Paceman does have an extra dose of high-end optional features, chief among them the new LED fog lamps with daytime driving lights and parking lights with LED technology. Xenon headlamps are also set to be offered, as well as adaptive turning light, comfort access, a glass push/tilt roof, automatic air conditioning, a removable tow hitch with a trailer load of up to 2,000 pounds.

Outside of all that, the 2015 Paceman still looks like the Paceman.

2014 Mini Paceman Vs. 2015 Mini Paceman

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Interior

The interior of the Paceman remains relatively changed. The 2+2 seating configuration is still there, as is the center console tunnel that extends all the way to the back. The setup means that seating for five is out of the question, but the comfort in having your own bucket seat should make up for it.

The dash and center console were untouched, although you do get the option of getting a sports leather steering wheel with shift paddles for automatic transmission or a multifunction steering wheel with cruise control. A Harman Kardon hi-fi speaker system has also been added, giving the Paceman a high-class audio system that should blend nicely with the classy and functional cabin.

Finally, the interior of the 2015 Paceman offers as much as 1,080 liters (38.1 cubic feet) of load capacity, but that's when the rear seats are folded. If those are upright, the space dramatically drops to just 330 liters (11.6 cubic feet). An optimal storage package can give you new places to stow your items, but it comes at the expense of adding functional elements on the center tunnel.

2015 Mini Paceman - Interior Dimensions

Cargo Capacity (Seats Upright/Seats Folded)

11.5 Cu. Ft. / 38.1 Cu. Ft.


Drivetrain

The 2015 Mini Paceman is set to be offered with a choice of engine configurations, even if each one of them is the same 1.6-liter displacement. The base 1.6L comes with 122 horsepower and 118 pound-feet of torque while the 1.6L Turbo for the S trim bumps the output all the way up to 190 horsepower, six ponies more than the 2014 model.

As for the top-of-the-line John Cooper Works trim, you stand to get the same 1.6L Turbo with even more added juice at 218 horsepower. Naturally, the Paceman JCW is the fastest to 62 mph with the capability to do it in just 6.9 seconds. Top speed numbers haven't been released, but we expect it to be somewhere close to 150 mph.

2015 Mini Paceman - Drivetrain Specifications

Trim

Base

S

John Cooper Works

Engine

1.6L

1.6L Turbo

1.6L Turbo

Horsepower (HP @ RPM)

122 @ TBA

190 @ TBA

218 @ TBA

Torque (LB-FT @ RPM)

TBA

TBA

TBA

Top Speed

TBA

TBA

TBA

Acceleration (0-62 MPH)

10.4 Sec

7.5 Sec

6.9 Sec

Fuel Economy (EU Combined Cycle)

47.9 MPG

47.1 MPG

39.8 MPG


Prices

Mini has yet to reveal pricing details for the 2015 Paceman so if you're looking for an estimate, you can use the prices from the 2014 model. The base model Paceman was priced at $23,900 while the Cooper S Paceman opened at $27,500.

Competition

Nissan Juke

The beauty of being the Nissan Juke, other than the fact that it looks wonky for a car of any size, is that it has the ability to cross over to a number of segments. You can line it up against a bigger crossover like the Subaru XV or you can line it up with another two-door model like the Mini Paceman.

It's an interesting comparison between the two models, largely due to the fact that both models come with a design unique to their own. The Paceman may have the slight edge because of its German roots, but the Juke really isn't that far behind considering the progress Nissan has made in its own brand of auto technology.

Power might favor the Paceman, thanks to its myriad of engine options, but again, the Juke's 1.6-liter inline-four engine that produces 188 horsepower is on par with what the Cooper Paceman S is capable of delivering.

One other thing that swings the argument to the side of the Juke is its price. The base model is just under $20,000 and it has enough trims to choose from to make a purchase worthwhile. Even the top-of-the-line SL AWD retails for just under $26,000, slightly lower than the price we anticipate the 2015 Cooper S Paceman will have.

Audi Q1

The Audi Q1 gets honorable mention as a possible competitor to the Paceman, but the mere fact that the model isn't even out yet casts some serious questions on whether it can really be true competition for Mini's two-door small SUV. Audi has said the right things about the Q1 in the past, even divulging its prospective engine options: a 160-horsepower 1.4 TSI and a 140-horsepower 2.0 TDI.

But until the Q1 hits the market, there's little reason why people should wait for it when the Paceman is already out and about.

Conclusion

The Mini Paceman gets the benefit of being a really unique vehicle. There aren't that many stylish two-door SUVs in the market these days so the Paceman holds a pretty enviable position as being unique to the rest.

That being said, we were disappointed to see Mini keep the 2015 Paceman relatively unchanged, with the exception of a few cosmetic options. But, hey, it's still the Paceman and it still really catches your eye in a good way.

For its price and all the options it has, you can really make a statement with the Paceman the likes of which you can't do with other models.