Summary
The Smart #1 is an all-electric five-door crossover and Smart’s first all-new model in eight years, which marks the brand’s pivot away from pint-sized city cars towards larger family car models.
Designed by joint Smart owners Geely and Mercedes-Benz, the #1 is similar in size to the Kia Niro EV and Volkswagen ID.3. This represents a significant shift away from Smart’s traditional focus on tiny city cars that prioritise urban mobility over everything else.
As a result of Smart’s change of direction, the #1 name reflects its place as the first new model in the newly reorganised company. A second new model followed a few months later, which is called #3. No, we don’t get it either. Next up is the #5. Maybe Smart just doesn’t like even numbers?
Oh, and #1 is meant to be pronounced as ‘Hashtag One’. Yes, seriously.
Beyond the standard models, the range is topped by a sporty ‘Brabus’ model, that provides a considerable performance boost.
“It marks a turning point for the brand and there’s lots to like about it, but a poor infotainment system could be what undoes the #1”, says Driving Electric. Many reviewers agree, explaining that while the infotainment screen is very responsive, it can be quite distracting, and the lack of physical control buttons makes the system harder to use.
After receiving a set of rather mediocre review scores before the car’s official UK arrival, British motoring outlets have collectively given a much more positive outlook for the #1 since it started arriving on UK roads, as the car has been consistently commended for its high-quality interior and its excellent Euro NCAP safety rating in recent months.
As of August 2025, the Smart #1 holds a New Car Expert Rating of A with a score of 77%. It scores top marks for its safety rating, zero tailpipe emissions, low running costs and new car warranty coverage, but its media review scores to date have only been average.
#1 highlights
- Plenty of on-board tech as standard
- Practical and refined interior
- Strong performance, particularly top-spec Brabus
- Attractive exterior styling
- Cheaper than its key rivals
#1 lowlights
- Infotainment is touchscreen only
- Small boot
- Standard models are not that exciting to drive
- Silly name
Key specifications
Body style: Medium hatchback
Engines: electric, battery-powered
Price: From £35,950 on-road
Launched: Summer 2023
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Featured reviews
“Performance, efficiency and practicality are Smart #1 highlights, but it needs ride quality and infotainment improvements to best its rivals.”
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
Read full review
Auto Express
Max Adams, Alex Ingram
“The Smart #1 looks cool, and majors on comfort, but it suffers from a small boot.”
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
Read full review
Carwow
Neil Briscoe
More reviews
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Smart #1 has to be the best example in recent history of a thoroughly decent, well-engineered, refined, and comfortable car being undone by its software experience. There’s lots of high-quality hardware here, and while the on-the-road behaviour isn’t all that inspiring, the #1 does nail the brief of being accomplished around town, and clever with its packaging, offering surprising practicality.”
Author: John McIlroy
Read review
Model reviewed: Brabus
Score: 6 / 10
“The Brabus #1 has huge straight-line pace and a nicely finished cabin, but the fact that this supermini-sized crossover will cost you north of £40,000 is still hard to overlook. There’s not really any more driving pleasure to be had here than with the regular versions, and the extra motor also cuts the official range to under 250 miles. This might just be a case of more being less.”
Author: John McIlroy
Read review
Business Car
Model reviewed: Brabus
Score: 8 / 10
“The Smart #1 remains the most convincing model to date, just stick to the Pro+ and Premium versions. Don’t get us wrong, the #1 Brabus’s acceleration will make you smile, but apart from the power, it’s tidy rather than an involving drive – and we’d still go for the standard car.”
Author: Martyn Collins
Read review
Model reviewed: Premium
Score: 8 / 10
“On the road, the Smart #1 impresses – but it’s a tidy rather than involving drive, even with 268hp, which makes the Smart one of the most powerful EVs in its class. The ride also seems decently balanced, feeling less bothered by road imperfections than you might expect.” (Martyn Collins)
Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“It might not be a Smart as you know it, but it’s the company’s most convincing car yet.” (Murray Scullion)
Author: Murray Scullion
Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The Smart #1 will be a desirable electric SUV for many; it’s not without merit, but it’s let down by poor infotainment software.”
Author: Andy Goodwin, Alex Ingram
Read review
Driving Electric
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Rather fittingly, the Smart #1 is a smart-looking and luxurious-feeling small electric SUV with a punchy powertrain, but several flaws keep it from the top of the class.”
Author: Tom Jervis
Read review
Electrifying.com
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Smart #1 is arguably the most conventional Smart ever made, but is none the worse for it. Beautifully made, refined and pleasing to drive, it’s an interesting alternative to the familiar names in the sector.”
Author: Ginny Buckley
Read review
Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: Brabus
Score: 9 / 10
“The smart #1 is very good to drive, and it’s even better in BRABUS trim. The smart #1 BRABUS offers sports car performance, agile handling, sharp steering and comfortable ride quality. The electric driving range of up to 248 miles will be okay for many people, and a maximum DC rapid charging rate of 150 kW means that public charging should be a relatively quick affair.”
Author: Paul Clarke
Read review
Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Forget what Smart used to stand for with its squished two-seater cars. The new Smart #1 offers as much interior space as a Mercedes-Benz E Class, it’s packed with tech, has a decent range, and is good looking.”
Author: Matthew MacConnell
Read review
Motoring Research
Score: 6 / 10
“A fully electric, family-sized crossover, the Smart #1 is a sensible car with a silly name.”
Author: Tim Pitt
Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.6 / 10
“We’d seriously consider a Smart #1 over a Cupra Born or Volkswagen ID.3. If you think the same way, we recommend opting for a Premium-spec car for the best results. It isn’t that much more expensive than the entry-level Pro+ model, but it has a slightly longer range and a lot more equipment.”
Author: Murray Scullion
Read review
The Sun
Model reviewed: Range overview
“Gripes aside, #1 is swift, roomy and design-led enough to cause a family-friendly buzz. But that hashtag can do 1.”
Read review
The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The cutesy looks of the Smart #1 won’t appeal to everyone, and British owners will wince when telling people they own a “Hashtag One”; it’s a properly stupid name. But those things aside we were really impressed with the performance, handling and ride quality, equipment levels and charging speeds.”
Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Despite the grim software, there’s a rather good family car trying to get out.”
Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
Smart has been reborn as a Toys R Us Mercedes. The #1 is soft-edged and comforting, but it’s yet another electric crossover and lacks a USP.”
Read review
Which EV?
Score: 8 / 10
“The Smart #1 represents a very positive change of direction. This car combines quality and technology with plenty of interior passenger space, although cargo capacity is more hatchback than SUV. While the range isn’t top of the pile, it’s a massive leap forward for Smart, and means this car could easily be your main one, not just a city runabout. And all the cars are quick – perfect for nipping around urban environments.”
Author: James Morris
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2022
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 96%
Child protection: 89%
Vulnerable road users: 71%
Safety assist: 88%
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of August 2025, the Smart #1 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the #1 is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing whenever it ever takes place. Check back again soon.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 249 miles | B |
| Electrical efficiency | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 4 m/KWh | C |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 31 | C |
| Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
| Year 1 | £294 | D |
| Year 2 | £610 | C |
| Year 3 | £969 | C |
| Year 4 | £1,231 | C |
| Year 5 | £1,542 | C |
| Overall | £4,646 | C |
The Smart #1 should be a very cheap car to own and run, according to exclusive data provided to The Car Expert by our technical partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Electrical efficiency (the EV equivalent of miles per gallon in a petrol or diesel car) is only average, but a decent-sized battery provides plenty of range for local driving. If you are able to charge the car at home, it should be considerably cheaper to run than an equivalent petrol or diesel car.
Insurance premiums and initial servicing costs are also fairly middling, but servicing should improve relative to other cars after the first year.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of August 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Smart #1 to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the #1, we’ll publish the results here.
Warranty rating
New car warranty information for the Smart #1
| Overall rating | A | 82% |
| New car warranty duration | 3 years |
| New car warranty mileage | Unlimited miles |
| Battery warranty duration | 8 years |
| Battery warranty mileage | 100,000 miles |
Smart’s overall new car warranty is worse than average, and worse than rival brands in a similar price bracket as the #1.
The duration is only three years, which is pretty much the bare minimum offered in the UK, albeit with no limit on mileage.
In addition to the standard new car warranty, there is also an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery components.
Buying a used Smart #1
- If you are purchasing an ‘Approved Used’ Smart #1 from an official Smart dealership, you will get a minimum 12-month warranty included.
- If you are buying a used Smart #1 from an independent dealership, any warranty offered will vary and will probably be managed by a third-party warranty company.
- If you are buying a used Smart #1 from a private seller, there are no warranty protections beyond any remaining portion of the original new car warranty.
If you’re looking to buy a used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Smart #1 has received
2023
- iF Design Award
- Red Dot Design Award
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Smart #1, you might also be interested in these alternatives
BMW iX1 | Citroën ë-C4 | Cupra Born | DS 3 E-Tense | Honda e:Ny1 | Jeep Avenger | Kia Niro EV | Kia Soul EV | Mazda MX-30 | MG ZS EV | Peugeot e-2008 | Renault Mégane E-Tech | Vauxhall Mokka Electric | Volkswagen ID.3
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Smart #1 at The Car Expert
Buy a Smart #1
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Lease a Smart #1
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Car subscriptions
Subscriptions are becoming a very popular way for consumers to try an electric car for a few weeks or months to help decide whether it’s a suitable alternative to a petrol car. If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help. (PS: What’s a car subscription?)
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