Smart has always done things a little differently, with its claim to fame coming from a tiny city car that can fit perpendicularly in a parallel parking spot. But today’s Smart is a very different company from before.
While the original micro car was really the brainchild of Swiss watchmaker Swatch’s then-CEO, today’s Smart is now a 50:50 joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely. And their first product? The Smart #1 (which you’re meant to say “Hashtag One”, in full) is now an EV crossover, just like everyone else.
The Smart #1 heralds a new era for the brand, but by following the crowd, have they lost their quirky edge in pursuit of sales?
Smart #1 Brabus: Styled to turn heads
It certainly doesn’t look that way, at least. The Smart #1’s round silhouette makes it unmistakeable in a car park, and even though it’s now grown significantly in size, the unique silhouette does well to hide its true proportions.
More than just its shape, the #1 also shows its playfulness through various adornments on the outside – from the intricate lighting, to the floating roof design, and even the illuminated Smart emblems on the C-pillar.
Opt for the Brabus variant, like the one we have here, and the #1’s friendly face completely transforms into a rabid pitbull, courtesy of the red accents, variant-specific wheels, and a Brabus aerokit that even includes two cooling letterbox slots above the front grille – although we suspect that’s largely for aesthetic purposes only.
Nevertheless, the charming exterior design of the #1 demonstrates the company’s intent for the Smart brand – reinvented with a focus on unique fashion, rather than funky ingenuity. And they’ve perhaps got the best man for the job – Mercedes-Benz chief designer Gorden Wagener, who will helm the design efforts for Smart for the foreseeable future.
The styling efforts are also obvious inside, highlighted by a peppy T-shaped dashboard design peppered with ambient lighting effects, and even a whimsical little fox persona that lives on the giant screen on the dashboard, which while doesn’t actually do anything, really just shows off the company’s mischievous personality.
Uniqueness aside, there are also some genuinely good ideas here, like the slim instrument cluster display instead of the tablet screens you’ll find in almost every other car these days – most of the information is already shown on the massive head-up display, anyway.
In its quest for style, though, it appears actual usability of the cabin has been somewhat relegated to the back burner. The slim centre console is frugal on storage cubbies for your small loose items, but more egregiously, physical buttons have also been reduced to just a couple of window switches on the driver’s armrest, and a few more buttons on the steering wheel.
That wouldn’t have been that much of an issue, if only most of its settings weren’t buried under multiple layers of menus. Simple adjustments such as volume control or adjusting your fan speed require at least two taps on the centre screen, and if you’re using Apple CarPlay, which takes up the entire screen, you can add a couple more to that. Adjusting your side mirrors? You guessed it – through the touchscreen.
At least, the infotainment system is filled to the brim with features, including a built-in navigation system with live availability information on charging stations, thanks to the company’s collaboration with charge point operators in Malaysia.
The operating system also feels polished, with fluid animations and graphics courtesy of the smartphone-grade Snapdragon processor running the show in the background. Together with the massive panoramic glass roof, Beats sound system, and suede-wrapped upholstery (and red seat belts!) courtesy of the Brabus interior package, the cabin of the Smart #1 truly does emanate an air of prestige, befitting its premium aspirations and price tag.
Smart #1 Brabus performance: the straight-line hero
What Smart definitely did not compromise, is in its outright performance. With 428 hp and 543 Nm available instantly at the press of the accelerator, the Smart #1 Brabus takes off from a standstill so fast it’s genuinely hilarious.
The twin motor all-wheel drive setup means the tyres grip up and go at an instant, pinning you and your passengers to the back of your seats as the silly fake engine sounds roar through the speakers. Smart quotes a century sprint time of 3.9 seconds, but I wouldn’t be surprised that it’s even quicker than that on a good day. It’s a true Brabus in every sense of the name.
Just don’t expect it to beat any track records, though, as its substantial weight and soft suspension does mean the Smart #1 leans quite significantly in the corners, and as a result it never feels sure-footed when pushed towards its limits – especially when the steering, while nicely weighted in Brabus mode, doesn’t offer much in terms of feedback.
At least, the all-wheel drive system does help manage the traction for a largely drama-free experience on the more enthusiastic drives – it’s just not exactly exciting, unless your idea of fun is to outgun supercars on the straights.
City driving is also not exactly the Smart #1’s strong suit, as the firmer damping configuration – despite the soft suspension – does mean the ride feels somewhat choppy when you come across pot-marked roads, although it’s still sophisticated enough to keep things under control in most driving conditions.
The jarring ride is however exacerbated by the regenerative braking system that not only feels too strong and grabby even in its lowest setting, but also only kicks in a moment too late after lifting off from the throttle pedal, making it difficult to drive smoothly in traffic. With over-the-air (OTA) update capabilities, though, we imagine the fix could just be a software update away.
Things do smoothen out on the highway, as the regen-braking isn’t strong enough to overcome the #1’s inertia – which, to clarify, is a good thing. The Smart #1 Brabus, despite its twin motor setup, is also fairly economical, returning a power consumption figure of just under 17 kWh/100 km in mixed condition driving during our tests – a pretty impressive figure for such a hefty car.
Your range will be impacted by its relatively small battery size, but at least the #1 does support a pretty speedy charging speed – 150 kW DC, 22 kW AC – that makes long-distance journey less of a torture.
Not the same Smart, but just as charming?
Today’s Smart is clearly not the same company that made the cutesy city car that most people associate the brand with. But as the #1 shows, change doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing.
It’s not without its faults, but there’s still a lot to love about the Smart #1 Brabus, from its unique styling, to the fact that it’s now an actually competent everyday car. Even in a congested segment that’s becoming more and more competitive by the day, the Smart #1 Brabus still stands out from the crowd, and that’s before you consider that it’s basically the cheapest Brabus you can buy – just don’t expect it to perform like one.
2024 Smart #1 Brabus, as reviewed:
| Powertrain | Twin-motor AWD |
| Max horsepower | 428 hp (315 kW) |
| Max torque | 543 Nm |
| 0-100 km/h; Top speed | 3.9 seconds; 180 km/h |
| Battery size; Range | 66 kWh (62 kWh usable); 400 km |
| Charging capacity | 150 kW DC; 22 kW AC |
| Price | RM249,000 |
2024 Smart #1 Brabus Gallery
