The Smart car brand has returned to Australia after almost a decade, with two new battery electric models dubbed the Smart #1 and Smart #3.
Once known for its internal combustion-powered microcars, Smart now builds EVs exclusively and is a 50:50 joint venture between former owner Mercedes-Benz and Chinese automotive giant Geely.
Smart cars are designed in Mercedes-Benz styling studios in Germany but manufactured in China using Geely’s EV-specific SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture).
LSH Auto is the local importer and distributor of the new range and has its Australian headquarters at the Mercedes-Benz Breakfast Creek Lifestyle Precinct in Brisbane.
The Smart #1 was launched in Europe in April 2022 and is described as a premium e-segment urban SUV. It boasts more boxy, upright SUV-styling than its stablemate the Smart #3, which is a sportier, crossover-style SUV.
The #1 is easier than the #3 to get in and out of thanks to its higher roof, ride height and seating position. It also offers superior rear-seat accommodation, so is more family friendly.
Both models share identical EV underpinnings and an identical grade walk, beginning with the Pro+, rising to Premium, and ending with a high-performance Brabus variant.
The #1 Pro+ is the most affordable way into the new range with a sticker price of $54,900 (MRLP), rising to $58,900 (MRLP) for the #1 Premium and topping out at $67,900 (MRLP) for the #1 Brabus.
The standard drivetrain is a 66kWh battery and single electric motor sending outputs of 200kW/343Nm to the rear wheels. The Pro+ boasts up to 420km of range on the WLTP standard and 0-100km/h performance of 6.7 seconds.
Both models share identical EV underpinnings and an identical grade walk, beginning with the Pro+, rising to Premium, and ending with a high-performance Brabus variant.
The #1 Pro+ is the most affordable way into the new range with a sticker price of $54,900 (MRLP), rising to $58,900 (MRLP) for the #1 Premium and topping out at $67,900 (MRLP) for the #1 Brabus.
The standard drivetrain is a 66kWh battery and single electric motor sending outputs of 200kW/343Nm to the rear wheels. The Pro+ boasts up to 420km of range on the WLTP standard and 0-100km/h performance of 6.7 seconds.
The Premium brings no more pace but an additional 20km of range (440km WLTP) thanks to the inclusion of a silicon carbide invertor and heat pump.
A three-phase onboard charger also endows the Premium and Brabus variants with faster 22kW AC charging capability, where the Pro+ is restricted to 7.4kW AC. All variants can accommodate up to 150kW DC fast charging.
All #1 variants ride on a 2,750mm wheelbase which delivers a decently spacious five-seat cabin layout with up to 421 litres of luggage space, expanding to 986 litres with the rear seats folded. There’s also a 15-litre frunk (front trunk) for extra storage.
The Pro+ offers a panoramic sunroof, ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control), heated seats, a 360-degree surround camera, intelligent voice assistance, LED lights and a powered tailgate.
Stepping up to the #1 Premium costs an additional $4,000 but adds a Beats sound system, Head-Up Display (HUD), Matrix LED headlights and Automatic Parking Assist (APA).
Buyers looking for more dash and styling differentiation will need another $9,000 over the Premium to get into the #1 Brabus, which brings dual electric motors, all-wheel drive grip and V8-like outputs of 315kW/543Nm. Acceleration from 0-100km/h is a seriously rapid 3.9-seconds but range drops to 400km (WLTP).
The stylish interior features a floating centre console, minimalist design and large 12.8-inch touchscreen.
Out on the road, the Smart #1 delivers the typically hushed and rapid acceleration that characterises EV driving.
As the latest in a wave of new EV arrivals, the Smart #1 drives into fiercely contested waters against the likes of the Volvo EX30, BYD Atto 3, MG4 and forthcoming Zeekr X, to name just a few.As such, it’s unlikely to find the going easy.
The fact Smart will initially only be available via LSH Auto outlets in the three east coast capitals will also limit the brand’s appeal to regional buyers.
However, with its sophisticated design, the established brand recognition of Smart, and its connection to Merecedes-Benz, it can arguably hit the ground harder and faster than some lesser-known EV start-ups.
Key stats
Price (MRLP): $58,900
Warranty: Five years or 150,000km (vehicle); eight years or 150,000km (high-voltage battery)
Powertrain: 66kWh battery, single electric motor, rear-wheel drive (200kW/343Nm)
Range (WLTP): 440km
ANCAP safety rating: Five stars
Energy consuption (WLTP): 16.7kWh/100km
For: Sophisticated design, strong performance, quality materials and finishes, decent range.
Against: No spare wheel (tyre repair kit); price versus ICE and some EV rivals; distracting touchscreen system.
Price (MRLP): $58,900
Warranty: Five years or 150,000km (vehicle); eight years or 150,000km (high-voltage battery)
Powertrain: 66kWh battery, single electric motor, rear-wheel drive (200kW/343Nm)
Range (WLTP): 440km
ANCAP safety rating: Five stars
Energy consuption (WLTP): 16.7kWh/100km
For: Sophisticated design, strong performance, quality materials and finishes, decent range.
Against: No spare wheel (tyre repair kit); price versus ICE and some EV rivals; distracting touchscreen system.
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