smart smart #1

Model Overview

The smart #1 marks the brand's first global strategic model following its transition into a fully electric marque. Penned by the Mercedes-Benz global design team and underpinned by Geely's Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA), it first made its debut in China in June 2022. On 31 May 2025, the smart #1 received its first facelift with the launch of the "Classic Refreshed Edition" at the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area International Auto Show, offering three variants priced between RM154,900 and RM199,900. As an all-electric B-segment SUV, the smart #1 is marketed as a "premium urban crossover". Dimension-wise, it measures 4,270 mm long, 1,822 mm wide, and 1,636 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,750 mm. Embodying the "compact on the outside, spacious on the inside" design ethos, it boasts an impressive 84% cabin space efficiency, 21 storage compartments, and a 15-litre front trunk (frunk). As a global model, the smart #1 is sold across 39 countries and regions, having garnered over 2.2 million customers worldwide.

Design Language

The exterior of the smart #1 was styled by the Mercedes-Benz global design team. Up front, a full-width LED light bar bridges the triangular headlamp clusters to form a distinctive signature look, while the closed-off grille is complemented by a large lower air intake and triangular side air curtains, striking a balance between modern tech and athleticism. Down the sides, a floating two-tone roof and flush pop-out door handles further enhance aerodynamic efficiency. The Classic Refreshed Edition introduces several aesthetic upgrades: an illuminated "Starlight" logo on the D-pillar—featuring diamond-cut detailing and PVD coating—glows upon unlocking to boost nighttime presence; the range-topping variant rides on 19-inch aero-optimised alloy wheels that marry artistic design with low drag.

For personalisation, the smart #1 offers a choice of 9 exterior colours, 5 interior colourways, and 3 roof colours, yielding up to 40 different combinations. New "Moon Porcelain White" and "Star Vortex Blue" premium paint options have been added, while non-BRABUS models can now also be optioned with the signature Matte Grey from the BRABUS performance variant.

Inside, the cabin retains a minimalist, high-tech aesthetic, highlighted by capsule-shaped air-con vents with integrated ambient lighting. The Classic Refreshed Edition sees a substantial upgrade in interior materials: nearly 3 m² of high-touch surfaces are trimmed in premium soft-touch leather, expanding door card upholstery by 100% and centre console wrapping by 260%. New Sky Green and Midnight Black cabin themes are introduced alongside brushed metal trim accents. The door panels also feature jewel-inspired rivet motifs for an added touch of luxury.

Powertrain & Performance

The smart #1 is powered by a rear-mounted single electric motor across the range, available in two states of tune:

• Entry-level (Dynamic Upgraded Edition) and mid-spec (Dynamic Long Range Edition) : Maximum output of 175 kW (238 PS) and 300 Nm of torque, completing the 0-100 km/h sprint in 6.9 seconds.

• Top-spec (Dynamic New Luxury Edition) : Equipped with an upgraded rear motor delivering 250 kW (340 PS) and 373 Nm, hitting 0-100 km/h in just 5.1 seconds.

Two battery options are on offer: the base variant gets a 49 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery delivering a CLTC-rated range of 410 km; the mid- and top-spec variants feature a 66 kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) ternary lithium battery, offering CLTC ranges of 545 km and 570 km respectively. DC fast charging is supported across the board, juicing up the battery from 10% to 80% in 30 minutes. Top speed is capped at 180 km/h for all variants.

Chassis & Handling

The smart #1 is built upon Geely's Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA). Its suspension setup comprises front MacPherson struts and a rear five-link independent suspension. A multi-link rear setup is a rare premium inclusion in this segment, granting sharper rear-wheel articulation and stability for a more composed, engaging drive. The chassis is managed by the advanced BOSCH 9.3 Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), tuned to strike a fine balance between dynamism and ride comfort. It features a rear-motor, rear-wheel drive (RWD) layout, with a compact turning radius of just 5.5 metres for effortless urban manoeuvrability. The flagship model also comes equipped with the Antispin dynamic adaptive torque control system, which modulates torque delivery in real time to maintain vehicle composure.

Cabin & Features

The cockpit features a 9.2-inch digital instrument cluster paired with a 12.8-inch floating infotainment touchscreen. Driven by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 processor, the smart OS ecosystem supports Amap navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and CarLink smartphone integration. It integrates Doubao and DeepSeek large AI language models, capable of processing continuous voice commands and context-aware requests. A 10-inch Head-Up Display (HUD) is available on selected variants.

In terms of cabin comforts, the Classic Refreshed Edition comes standard with a Mercedes-Benz S-Class-grade 256-colour dual-zone ambient lighting system featuring 20 preset themes, music rhythm synchronisation, and driving mode linkage. Audio is handled by an upgraded Sennheiser sound system packing 13 speakers and a 640W amplifier with three dedicated sound profiles: Studio, Live Stage, and Concert. Heated front seats are standard across the range, with seat ventilation fitted on mid-to-high variants. The driver's seat also gains 4-way electric lumbar support adjustment. Additional amenities include a 50W cooled wireless charging pad and the smart Breathe cabin air filtration suite (N95-grade filter + AQS air quality system). Boot capacity ranges flexibly from 323 litres to 986 litres with the rear seats folded.

Safety & Driver Assistance

Safety remains a cornerstone of the smart #1. Developed to meet stringent global crash-test benchmarks including C-NCAP, Euro NCAP, US-NCAP, and C-IASI, it boasts a dual five-star safety rating in both China and Europe. Its rigid passenger safety cell features 84% high-strength steel and aluminium construction with a torsional rigidity exceeding 36,000 Nm/deg, reinforced by a "nine-grid" side structure and hot-stamped steel for 360-degree impact protection. The vehicle exceeds standard crash requirements, withstands frontal collisions at 64 km/h (exceeding Euro standards by 63.8%) and 40% offset frontal impacts at 72 km/h (surpassing global benchmarks by 26.5%). Occupant safety is reinforced by 7 airbags, including a segment-first front centre far-side airbag to prevent head-to-head collisions between front occupants.

On the active safety front, the Classic Refreshed Edition adds Sentry Mode, utilising 360-degree cameras and G-sensors for round-the-clock surveillance, automatically recording footage and flashing hazard lights if a disturbance is detected. Lane Centring Control (LCC) and other Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) come standard. As always, these driver assistance suites are meant purely as driving aids and do not substitute active driver control.

Market Performance & Verdict

Leveraging Mercedes-Benz's design pedigree and Geely's proven SEA platform, the smart #1 made a strong impression in the premium compact electric SUV space upon launch. In just three years, it has won over more than 100,000 buyers globally and bagged prestigious international accolades, including the Red Dot and iF Design Awards. However, amid stiffening market competition, smart's retail figures in China have faced downward pressure—dropping 21.3% year-on-year to 33,280 units in 2024, and sliding further to 30,799 units in 2025. In the first five months of 2026, domestic deliveries stood at 8,516 units, down over 24% year-on-year, with April 2026 sales recording just 1,344 units.

In the market, the smart #1 goes up against key rivals such as the Volvo EX30, MINI Aceman EV, and Audi Q2L e-tron, against which it maintains a competitive pricing edge. Serving as the trailblazer for smart's all-electric rebirth, the smart #1 successfully establishes a distinct "urban premium" identity thanks to its Mercedes-Benz design DNA, SEA platform engineering, and comprehensive safety kit. Nonetheless, in an increasingly saturated EV landscape, smart will need to continue strengthening its brand equity and product differentiation to sustain momentum.