Smart #1

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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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.”
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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)
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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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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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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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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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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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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
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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
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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
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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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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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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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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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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.”
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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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