Photos by SHAARI CHEMAT
After living with the smart #1 (Premium variant) for a few days, we can only conclude that the premium all-electric compact SUV (sport utility vehicle) offers the best of both worlds —fun performance and everyday practicality — wrapped in a stylish package.
The driving experience is where the smart #1 truly stands out, offering agility and athleticism that make it a joy to drive, all while maintaining the quiet, composed ride expected from a premium marque.
To recap, smart Automobile was reborn as a 50:50 joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely.
The smart #1 was launched here in November 2023 in three variants, namely Pro, Premium and BRABUS (priced at RM249,000).
The 200kW/343Nm single-motor Pro and Premium variants are rear-wheel driven.
The Pro variant has a 49kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery for a 315km range (WLTP), while the Premium has a larger 66kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery for a 440km range (WLTP).
The BRABUS variant gets a high-performance 315kW/543Nm dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain, with a 66kWh NMC battery for a 400km range (WLTP).
In May this year, smart Malaysia reduced prices for the Pro (RM20,000 lower to RM169,000) and Premium (RM10,000 lower to RM209,000) variants.
Extra kit on the Premium variant (compared with Pro) includes Matrix LED headlamps with Adaptive High Beam, automatic head lamp levelling, welcome exterior lights, kick sensor (for power tailgate), ventilated front seats, leather seats (instead of leatherette), Beats high-end 13-speakers audio system as well as Adaptive High Beam, Full Autonomous Parking (FAP), Parking Emergency Brake (PEB) and Autonomous Parking Assist.
We like the car’s sleek, curvaceous lines and dynamic stance, as well as concealed electric door handles and frameless doors that add to the style quotient.
Step inside, and you’re greeted by a roomy cabin that exudes a premium feel, with a nice blend of comfortable leather upholstery, soft-touch materials and polished surfaces.
We found the seats to be solid and supportive, while the Beats high-end 13-speakers audio system delivers an immersive sound experience, with impressive clarity and depth.
A look at the brochure will tell you that regardless of variant, the smart #1 comes loaded to the brim with an array of comfort appointments as well as safety and advanced driver-assistance features.
Starting a drive is easy - get into the driver’s seat, step on the brake, push the gear selector stalk into D, and start driving.
A 12.8-inch touchscreen takes centre stage, and serves as the control hub for many functions.
Still, smart has thoughtfully retained physical buttons and touch sensitive switches for the air-conditioning, and to adjust the angle of door mirrors, audio volume, and Driving Mode (Eco, Comfort, Sport) selection.
The car’s default settings are Medium for Regenerative Braking, and Comfort for Driving mode.
We chose to maintain Automatic mode for Power Steering assistance (Low, Medium, High).
With a thrilling 0-100kph sprint in 6.7 seconds, the instant torque delivery typical of battery electric vehicles is particularly heady in the smart #1, propelling the car forward with effortless acceleration.
However, it’s not just about straight-line speed.
The real appeal lies in the car’s handling and athleticism.
The car feels planted and composed, with minimal body roll even when driven hard on twisty roads.
The steering is precise, allowing you to place the car with confidence.
The large Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tyres sized 235/45 R19 were grippy and inspire confidence.
Also impressive is a suspension set-up that strikes an excellent balance between comfort and handling prowess.
The smart #1 is adept at soaking up road bumps and imperfections, providing a smooth and cushioned ride.
We also like using the intuitive Single Pedal Driving or s-Pedal mode, which allows drivers to accelerate and slow down, and even come to a complete stop, by using only the accelerator pedal.
This is a handy feature in congested or slow moving traffic.
We found the cabin to be exceptionally well-insulated from external noise, creating a serene environment.
Also, the clever packaging and flat floor design contribute to a roomy cabin, with ample headroom and legroom for 1.7-metre people.
Its compact SUV size also meant that we found it quite easy to manoeuvre into parking spots, especially with the aid of 360-degree view camera system.
Meanwhile, with the Hello smart app, we can easily locate EV charging points and parking lots using its navigation map, with real-time information on charging point availability, fees and type.
We charged the car at the Wheelcorp EV-operated smart showroom in Setia Alam, where there are two 120kW DC chargers (costs RM1.58 per kWh).
This cost us RM41 (for a 26kWh charge in 33 minutes), with the battery’s state of charge (SoC) at 94% (from 63%).
Hello smart app users can also remotely control the car’s air-conditioning, doors, windows and charge time scheduling.
We think that the smart #1 offers a compelling blend of style, performance, comfort, and technology, and excels as a fun-to-drive urban cruiser.
It has impressive performance, advanced features as well as family practicality and delivers a motoring experience that is engaging, comfortable, and remarkably refined.
SPECIFICATIONS
smart #1 (Premium variant)
Motor: Single motor, rear-wheel drive (RWD)
Maximum Power: 200kW
Maximum Torque: 343Nm
Battery: 66kWh NMC Battery
Range: Up to 440km (WLTP)
Maximum Speed: 180 km/h
0-100km/h sprint: 6.7 seconds
DC 150kW Fast Charge (10% to 80%): 29 minutes
AC 22kW Charging (10% to 80%): 3 hours
Suspension: Front MacPherson struts, Rear multi-link
Features: Speed proportional Electrical Power Assisted Steering (EPAS), all-round disc brakes, CyberSparksLED + Matrix LED Headlamps with Adaptive High Beam, Follow Me Home Lamp (Delayed Off), Integrated DRL (daytime running lights), Auto Head Lamp Levelling, 235/45 R19 tyres, Panoramic Halo Roof, Roof Rails, Heated Door Mirror, Power Tailgate with Kick Sensor, Ventilated Front Seats, leather seats, Power Seats (10-way With Memory), 2nd row seats (60:40 Split and Flat Fold, Rear Bench Slide-able 60:40, Seat Back Adjustment, Through-Loading Facility), Dual Zone automatic air-conditioning, rear air-conditioning vents, Extended 64-color Ambient Light, Panoramic Moonroof with Electric Sun Blind, Door Sill Plate LED Lamp, N95 AC Filter, 12.8-inch CSD touchscreen, 9.2-inch Meter Cluster, 10-inch Full Color HUD: Head Up Display, 4G / WiFi/ WiFi Hospot Connectivity, Built-in Navigation System, Voice Command/ smart Companion, Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, Beats High-end 13 Speakers Audio System, Mobile Phone Wireless Charger, Center Glove Box with chiller, 3.3kw Vehicle-to-load (V2L)
Safety features: 7 Airbags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Electronic Traction Control (TCS / ASR), Hill Hold Assist & Hill Descend Assist, Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with Digital Display, ISOFIX & Top Tether 2nd Row Seat, Drive Mode (Eco/Comfort/Sport), Single Pedal Drive/E-Pedal,
Driver Assistance Features: L2+ ADAS Category/ Level - Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Autonomous Emergency Brake (AEB)- City/ Urban, Autonomous Emergency Brake (AEB)- Pedestrian/ Cyclist, Front Collision Mitigation Support (FCMS), Rear Collision Mitigation Support (RCMS), Emergency Lane Keep Assist (ELKA), Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Departure Prevention (LDP), Lane Change Assist (LCA), Automated Lane Change Assist (ALCA), Evasive Manoeuvre Assist (EMA), Front Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Door Opening Warning (DOW), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Speed Limit Information Function (SLIF), Driver Performance Monitoring (DPM), Highway Assist (HWA), Traffic Jam Assist (TJA), Adaptive High Beam, Full Autonomous Parking (FAP), Parking Emergency Brake (PEB), Autonomous Parking Assist, 360 Visual Park Assist
Remote Control: Hello smart APP, Vehicle Status Monitoring, Locate & Vehicle Tracking, Theft Notification, Pre-set Vehicle Functions
Storage space: 986 litres (rear seats flat-folded), 323 to 411 litres (rear seats up), 15-litre compartment (under the hood)
Price: RM209,000 on the road without insurance
Warranty: 4-Year, Unlimited Mileage (Vehicle); 2-Year, Unlimited Mileage (Spare Parts); 8-Year, 200,000km (High-Voltage Battery); 8-Year, 150,000km (High-Voltage Component); 24/7 Roadside Service Assistance
