Review of the Smart #1

The Smart #1 is a compact electric SUV that's leading Smart's rejuvenation as a brand. With a roomy interior and a comfortable drive, the #1 is a great option for families looking for an electric lease car. 

Rivals to the Smart #1 include the Kia Niro EV, Hyundai Kona Electric, Volvo EX30, and Peugeot e-2008. 

Our Smart #1 review covers:

• Boxy exterior style 
• Spacious interior that looks and feels great 
• 273-litre boot and 15-litre front boot 
• Single or dual-motor setups available 
• Four trim levels 

Pros:

• High-quality interior
• Lots of tech as standard 
• Comfortable to drive 

Cons:

• Small boot and front boot
• Range could be better
• Not much fun to drive 

When you think of a Smart car, something similar to the Smart Fortwo probably comes to mind. However, Smart is moving away from this design and towards something modern. The #1 looks like your typical modern EV, with a minimalist and boxy design from front to back. It features sleek headlights, unique alloy wheels, and a light bar across the rear. 

Space inside the #1 is excellent, and there's more than enough room for a family. Two adults can easily fit in the front, while in the rear, there's loads of knee and headroom to accommodate taller teenagers.  

Open the tailgate, and you'll find 273 litres of space, which isn't much at all and falls short of the Kia Niro EV and Peugeot e-2008. You can fold the seats in a 60/40 split to accommodate for larger items. The #1 also has a front boot, but it's just 15 litres.

The interior of the #1 seriously doesn't disappoint. There's a large centre console that stretches across in front of easy passengers, and it looks and feels great thanks to its dark trim and use of premium materials. It's definitely one of the better interiors around for an electric SUV, especially when you consider the #1's price. 

On the dash, you get a large 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a DAB radio, Bluetooth, navigation, and smartphone mirroring. Upgrade to the Premium or Brabus models, and you also get a Beats sound system and a 10-inch head-up display. 

Behind the steering wheel is a 9.2-inch digital instrument cluster that displays all the required information in clear graphics. 

Four trim levels are available for the #1: Pro, Pro+, Premium, and Brabus. 

Pro has 19-inch alloy wheels, LED lights, a panoramic halo roof, automatic two-zone climate control, man-made leather seats, ambient lighting, a leather steering wheel, a 12.8-inch infotainment system, a 9.2-inch instrument cluster, and a range of advanced driver assistance systems. 

Pro+ adds an illuminated logo on the steering wheel and a range of connected services used through the Smart app. 

Premium adds dynamic indicators, a courtesy light with logo projection, reading lights, duo leather seats, a 10-inch head-up display, 4G/Wi-fi, a wireless phone charger, and automatic parking assist.  

Brabus is performance-focused, adding sporty styling to the exterior, including bonnet vents, red brake calipers, and an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel. It also adds a second electric motor to the front wheels to give four-wheel drive and a power boost. 

Opt for the entry-level Pro trim, and the #1 comes with a 49kWh battery that returns up to 193 miles of range. Paired with a 272hp electric motor, it does 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds and tops out at 112mph. For Pro+ and Premium, the #1 comes with a 66kWh battery that returns up to 273 miles of range. 

The range-topping Brabus trim uses the same 66kWh battery but adds an additional electric motor to power the front wheels. It comes with a power output of 428hp, a range of 248 miles, and four-wheel drive. 

If you've gone for the entry-level model, the #1 can charge at speeds up to 130kW DC. For all other versions, 150kW DC capabilities are available. 

The Smart #1 opts for comfort over entertainment, but as it's a family car, we'll cut it some slack. It's comfortable both around town and at higher speeds, but its handling isn't the most responsive. 

If ferrying your family from A to B is your norm, the #1 will be great. It's good to drive around town and soaks up any potholes with ease, and there's also plenty of visibility out the front and side. 

Increase to motorway speeds and the #1 remains a composed and comfortable drive. You'll get to 70mph with few issues, and once there, it's more than happy to cruise along. There's a hint of tyre and road noise, but it's nothing to be concerned about. 

If you like a bit of fun on a country lane, I'd look away from the #1. Although it's certainly not a bad car to drive, it's not very fun. Road grip is decent, and body lean is minimal, but it's more suited to listening to Smooth Radio than Radio 1. The Brabus version makes it a tad more exciting thanks to more power, but there are no mechanical or suspension upgrades, so it's still fairly lacklustre on a country road. 

Prices for the new Smart #1 start from £35,260.00 OTR* or to lease from £399.61 per month.

Looking to get behind the wheel of the Smart #1? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest car leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.

Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase, thanks to a low initial deposit and fixed monthly rentals.

*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change; always check with your nearest retailer.