Smart #1 Review (2024-present)

What is the Smart #1?

The new Smart #1 (pronounced ‘hashtag one’, in case you were wondering) is a 4.27-metre long family hatchback, or compact SUV if you believe the marketing materials. Compared with a regular hatchback, it does sit a touch higher on its suspension, and black plastic cladding around the wheel arches give something of a rugged look, too. But, in truth, it’s a very similar size to the Volkswagen ID.3, and at only 1.63-metres tall, the roof is only 6cm higher than the ID.3’s, so we really are splitting hairs here between a hatchback and a compact SUV.

In the Smart’s defence, most of its ‘crossover’ or SUV-ish rivals – including the Peugeot e-2008, Jeep Avenger, Renault Megane E-Tech, BYD Atto 3, Hyundai Kona, Vauxhall Mokka Electric and BMW MINI Countryman - are also far more hatchback than SUV. You could also argue that the Tesla Model 3 and Y are rivals, but both are quite a bit more expensive than all but the highest specs in the #1 range.

The Smart #1 is the first model to come from the re-invigorated Smart brand, which was partly bought by Chinese car maker, Geely, a few years go. Daimler AG (or Mercedes-Benz as it’s otherwise known) still owns the other half of the Smart brand, which is now run as a joint venture between the two companies. To confuse matters further, Geely also has very close ties with Volvo, so the platform underneath the #1 is shared with the Volvo EX30.

Smart is an electric car brand through and through, so there’ll be no petrol or diesel models, just as with the larger Smart #3. Long gone are the days of the petrol-powered Smart cars like the ForTwo and ForFour.

The #1, meanwhile, competes in the core £35,000-£40,000 electric family car market. It gets a usable battery capacity of either 47- or 62kWh (total capacity of 49- or 66kWh) for a WLTP range of between 193 and 273 miles. Charging speeds for the new car are up to 150kW, which will get you an 80% charge in under 30 minutes, or a 100-mile top-up in 10-15 minutes.

How practical is it?

Being based on a new platform that’s developed specifically for electric powertrains means that Smart can squeeze as much room as possible into the #1, so you get decent practicality with good legroom and headroom in the back. Plus, the back seats slide, which is a really nice touch that neither the ID.3, nor the Volvo EX30 offer. There’s a central armrest and through-loading hatch into the boot, too.

Having said that, boot space is disappointingly small, at 273- to 411 litres, so you get more luggage space under the tailgate in an MG4. There’s a small ‘frunk’ luggage space under the bonnet, though, which will be useful for storing the car’s charging cables.

Up front, it’s notable that many of the materials feel quite Mercedes-like, which is no bad thing at all. In fact, the design and feel of the plastics around the vents feel reminiscent of various Mercedes models, and overall the Smart really does feel noticeably classier than an MG4, and arguably even a touch better than the ID.3. The driver’s seat could be better, though: it’s a touch flat, and doesn’t have tilt adjustment on the seat base.

There are two pairs of Isofix mounting points in the rear seats, and a further set in the front passenger seat.

What’s it like to drive?

Even the most basic versions of the Smart #1 get a useful amount of power, with 268bhp going to the rear wheels to give a 0-62mph of 6.7sec. If that’s just not enough for you, there’s the Smart #1 Brabus model, which gets all-wheel drive, 422bhp and will do the 62mph sprint in a vaguely ridiculous 3.9 seconds.

We’ve only driven the more modestly powered, rear-wheel-drive, big-battery versions of the Smart, and it’s hard to see how you would need more power. It feels gutsy, and has something a sports-hatch feel to the way it turns keenly into corners and drives heartily out the other side. It doesn’t look it (unless you go for the full-fat Brabus version) but the Smart #1 is really rather good fun with plenty of cornering grip from the tyres, even if fairly numb steering does stop it from being a ‘proper’ hot hatch.

It's comfortable, too, and soaks up the worst road surfaces well, even if there’s also quite a bit of body movement; the Smart leans noticeably in corners, but it’s well controlled enough that the kids are unlikely to get car-sick.

Technology, equipment & infotainment

Even the entry-level Smart #1 Pro, with its 193-mile WLTP range, gets a glass roof and LED headlights, powered bootlid, electric seat adjustment with lumbar adjustment, leatherette upholstery, heated seats, climate control, parking sensors, a 13-speaker Beats sound system and a 360-degree parking camera. So equipment really is generous enough to rival even the MG4. Second-rung Pro+ trim gets much the same equipment, but the bigger battery brings a range of up to 260 miles. Premium trim brings a head-up display and ups the style ante with bigger alloy wheels, and you also get a heat pump for more efficient running in cold weather.

A 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with over-the-air updates is standard on every Smart #1, complete with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. And you might want those phone mirroring functions, as the Smart has a rather fussy interface. A cartoon Fox character is your guide to the system, and while the animated gaming graphics are kind of cool, they’re also kind of annoying and it’s not a terribly easy system to use: despite the overly helpful Fox. And with pretty much no other switchgear on the centre console (although there’s some on the steering wheel), you have use the screen to perform the vast majority of functions.

Adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning and a semi-autonomous drive mode are standard across the range.

Smart #1 running costs

Pricing on the lower-end Smart #1 models is very keen, so while the MG4 is even more affordable still, the Smart should definitely be on your list if it’s a lower priced electric family car that you’re after. Monthly PCP finance prices are good, too, meaning you can get costs down to £300 per month on the Pro+, even with a fairly low deposit.

A full charge at home will cost around £15 on the 62kWh #1, or £12 for the smaller battery. That should work out at around 7p per mile assuming you’re paying 25p per kWh for your home electricity, or you can cut that by more than half if you use off-peak, overnight tariffs. It’s usefully cheaper to run an electric car this way, by charging at home, than to fuel a petrol or diesel car, but keep in mind that public rapid charging is expensive, and is no cheaper (or can even be more expensive) than fuelling a conventional combustion-engined car.

Overall, the Smart is very competitive for running costs, and is more affordable to buy or finance than many other compact electric family cars.

Smart #1 reliability

The Smart is too new to have any owner feedback or reliability data. A three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty is standard, which is a way off the warranty on the MG4, Hyundai Kona or Kia Niro EV. The electric motor and control unit are covered for eight years and 100,000 miles, while the battery is covered for eight years and 125,000 miles.

If you get your #1 serviced at an official dealership each year, Smart will also provide free roadside assistance for up to eight years or 100,000 miles.