Summary
The Smart #1 is an all-electric five-door crossover and Smart’s first all-new model in eight years, which mark’s 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 will follow a few months later, which will be called #3. No, we don’t get it either.
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.
“The city car maker is back with a bang”, the What Car? team explains, “delivering an impressive electric SUV with a nice interior, good rear seat space and, in the Brabus version, outrageously quick acceleration.”
“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 November 2023, the Smart #1 holds an Expert Rating of 68%, based on 19 reviews published by the British motoring media.
#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
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
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: #1 Premium 62kWh
Score: 7 / 10
“There’s a really good car lurking somewhere within the Smart #1, but the ride quality needs to be better and improvements to the infotainment would help, too. However, we can’t fault the range and charging capability, or the level of kit you get for the price. It’s a practical crossover that’s exactly the kind of car a young, urban brand such as Smart should be making. It just needs a little finessing.”
Author: Sean Carson
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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
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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
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Autocar
Model reviewed: Premium
Score: 8 / 10
“The difficult-to-judge braking is an issue, and the smartphone integration is still an unknown, but apart from a few minor details, the Smart #1 well-priced, decent to drive, spacious and has very competitive range, charging and infotainment.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Brabus
Score: 6 / 10
“The Smart #1 Brabus is fun, but I came away from my first experience wondering how much better it would be on stickier rubber and stiffer springs.” (Mike Duff)
Read review
Model reviewed: Premium
Score: 7 / 10
“The fact that UK deliveries aren’t due to start until the second half of next year means there’s still time for Smart to apply more polish to the #1. Frankly, it needs it. There’s a good car here, but one that’s in danger of being let down by the details.” (Mike Duff)
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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
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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)
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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
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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
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The boot is a bit small but we’re impressed with just about everything else the Smart #1 has to offer.” (Mat Watson)
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Driving Electric
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Smart’s first electric SUV 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.”
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Electrifying.com
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The #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.” (Ginny Buckley)
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.6 / 10
“Stick to an exceptionally well-equipped Pro+ or even more luxurious and longer range Premium for the best the #1 can be. Brabus versions are just too powerful for their own good, have the worst range and cost the most.”
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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.”
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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.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Despite the grim software, there’s a rather good family car trying to get out.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“It’s a fairly confusing first attempt from the newly-formed Smart joint-venture. The #1 is a decent family crossover with good rear space thanks to its blobby shape, and there’s decent enough range thanks to the Geely underpinnings.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“It looks different to any previous Smart, but the #1 is a brilliant electric car that’s nippy, smart inside, surprisingly practical and can charge more quickly than many rivals. Unless you need a big boot, it’s a great buy.” (Lawrence Cheung)
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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%
No eco rating
As of November 2023, the Smart #1 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of November 2023, 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 extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the #1, we’ll publish the score here.
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
No data yet
As of November 2023, we don’t have independently verified data available for the Smart #1. Check back again soon.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Smart #1 has received
2023
- What Car? Awards – Safety Award
- What Car? EV Awards – Best Small SUV
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
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