Is the new Smart #1 the best small electric SUV
Exterior – Front
So, let’s start with the design at the front. The design that Smart have done is go for a bold curvy look and by doing this they have given the Smart #1 emotion. We have these curvy LED headlights with boomerang LED daytime running lights in them and connecting the lights is a light bar. Lower down we get this big central air vent to aid cooling for the battery. We also get some small side vents that are real and aid aerodynamics over the wheels.
Exterior – Side
Moving round to the side and the minimalist and bold design continues. We get these pop out door handles and these curvy wing mirrors. We also get the smart logo on the C pillar and some plastic cladding lower down to give this car an off-roader look. The wheels also have plastic covers on to aid aero dynamics. Wheel sizes are 18 or 19 inches.
Exterior – Rear
Moving round to the back and we get a similar design to the front. We get a pair of LED taillights that are shaped very similarly to any Mercedes, but they are joined together by yet again another light bar. Lower down we get some plastic cladding on the bumper to make the car look off-roader like and although it is very minimal, it is enough for this type of car.
Car and engine specs and price
So, the Smart #1 uses a 62-kWh battery pack on all the trim levels that it has to offer. This means you can get 260 miles of range on the Pro +. The Premium and Launch edition cars will have 273 miles of range thanks to a heat pump. The performance Brabus model only has 243 miles, but you do get 422 bhp with 2 electric motors making 4-wheel drive and giving the car a 0-62 time of just 3.9 seconds which is quick in a small car like this. The rest of the Smart #1 line-up uses a single motor creating 268 bhp which will get the car to 62 in a respectable 6.7 seconds. The price of the Smart #1 starts at £35,980.
Interior – Design
So, moving inside the Smart #1 and you are welcomed we a whole new design language for Smart. To start with we get this centre console and dashboard design that looks very similar to a Mercedes but that is where the similarities end with Mercedes. We get this big 12.8-inch infotainment system that may look confusing at first but once you get used to the graphics heavy system then it is very easy to use. Another unique touch that has never been done before is that the voice assistant is this little fox. No other car maker has done that before. In front of a driver, we get this small instrument cluster that has all the important information. We also get these nice indicator stalks and a nice premium steering wheel that feels like it is from a Mercedes. We also get some very comfortable front seats that are supportive and are great for long journeys. Overall, a nice and premium place to be. Let’s have a look in the back
Practicality
So, for a small car you wouldn’t expect much leg room but when you are in the back sitting behind a 6-footer you get more than enough legroom. Headroom is also more than enough because it is an SUV. You also get some premium materials on the doors, and you also have some premium feeling centre air vents. One nice feature is that these rear seats also move forward and recline. You get a USB C port and a regular USB port. Finally, one nice feature is that you get this huge panoramic glass roof which helps bring a lot of light in. lets have a look and see what the boot is like.
Boot Size
So, opening the tailgate electronically you are welcomed with 323 litres with the seats all the way back but with the seats forward you get 420 litres. If you fold the seats down, you get about 980 Litres which is enough for most people. Finally, one nice feature is that you get a front boot which is only 15 litres, but you can easily fit the cables in here rather than in the boot.
Summary
So, what do I think about the Smart #1. Well, it is a car with emotion. The looks on the outside are very modern and unique. Inside is also premium and Mercedes like and it is practical enough for a small family. The price is also quite decent, and the performance is better than the Mercedes EQA SUV which is its main rival. Really if you are in the market for a small premium electric SUV then I would consider this as one decent option. There is also a coupe version called the Smart #3 coming out soon which looks even cooler than this so I cannot wait to review that.
Exterior 5/5
Interior 5/5
Practicality 5/5
Total 15/15
Model | Smart #1 Pro+ |
Price | £35,980 |
Engine | Single Motor Unit with 268 bhp, 0-62 = 6.7 sec |
Transmission | 0 Speed Automatic |
On Sale | Summer 2023 |
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