The Smart #1 is an all-new electric SUV that comes with a tech-filled interior and an array of sophisticated safety features…
On sale: Summer 2023 | Price from: £32,000 (est)
One way of catching people’s attention is to get a topic trending on social media. So, perhaps that’s why the all-new Smart #1 has been given the name it has; after all, this electric SUV is meant to kick off a new era for the brand, and that’s something it wants people talking about.
Designed by Mercedes, but engineered with the help of Chinese firm Geely, the #1 is the first new Smart to be launched since the Fortwo EQ city car two years ago. However, it’s also the first ever Smart SUV, with its closest rival in terms of size and positioning the Peugeot e-2008, but non-electric small SUVs like the Audi Q2, Mini Countryman and Volkswagen T-Roc also in its sights.
Beyond the name, another way the #1 is looking to stand out is with its funky design, which was previewed by the No. 1 Concept in 2021. The production #1 looks very similar to that concept: clean, aerodynamic and futuristic.
Under the skin, meanwhile, the finished car sits on bespoke electric underpinnings that house a single, rear-mounted electric motor producing 268bhp and 253 lb ft of torque. It’s combined with a 66kWh battery, with the #1 expected to have a range of 273 miles on the official WLTP test cycle. That trumps the 208 miles of the e-2008, although the bigger Kia e-Niro can cover up to 282 miles.
At its maximum charging speed of 150kW, the #1’s battery can be topped up from 10-80% in 30 minutes, while a 22kW charger will do the same job in three hours.
It’s also worth noting that the #1 could be a good option if towing is your thing, because it’s able to pull up to 1600kg, whereas more expensive electric cars like the Tesla Model 3 and Volkswagen ID.4 can tow only 1000kg and 1200kg respectively.
A cheaper version of the #1 with a smaller battery is rumoured to be on the way, and because the underpinnings are scalable, a whole line-up of new electric Smarts could be in the pipeline. The firm hasn’t ruled out a faster, dual-motor performance variant of the #1, either.
Tech is at the forefront of the #1’s appeal; step inside and you’re greeted by a 12.8in touchscreen that houses Smart’s all-new infotainment system, whereas the e-2008 makes do with a 7.0in or 10.0in screen.
The Smart system controls almost all of the car’s functions, including the navigation, media, and climate control settings. It even lets you save preference profiles for different drivers, and 75% of the car’s functions are upgradable via over-the-air updates.
Below the screen sits a bank of touch-sensitive shortcut buttons, which could potentially be tricky to use while driving given that they don’t even offer haptic feedback, although there is an audible click when you press them.
In addition, Smart is hoping to minimise driver distraction with its AI Fox ‘Avatar’, which essentially acts as the car’s personal assistant within the main screen, like Amazon Alexa. It responds via a “Hello Smart” voice command and can control almost all of the car’s functions, but on this occasion we weren’t able to test its usability.
Occupants can connect to the Smart #1 via a Hello Smart app, and this includes a digital key that allows you to unlock the car using the app. From the app you can also check the status of the car remotely and programme features such as the climate control ahead of you actually getting in the car.
The driver gets a 9.2in digital instrument display, which is clearly laid out and features crisp graphics. Plus, the most important information is projected onto the windscreen as well, via a 10.0in head-up display
Having had the opportunity to sit in the Smart #1, we can confirm that the seats are nicely supportive and there’s lots of adjustment for the driver’s seat and steering wheel. Over-the-shoulder visibility is compromised by thick rear pillars, although a 360-degree reversing camera will help mitigate this when parking.
The materials on display are mostly of high quality, with the indicator stalk, gear shifter and steering wheel buttons all having a nice tactile feel to them. It’s only in less noticeable areas, such as low down on the doors, that you find a few scratchy plastics.
In-car storage is impressive, with two cupholders in the front, large bins on each door, and a vast centre console cubby between the driver and front passenger. There are also six sockets to charge your devices, including 12v, USB and USB-C charging in the front, and USB and USB-C in the rear.
The beauty of the Smart #1 being exclusively electric and based on bespoke underpinnings is that the engineers haven’t had to leave space for a bulky engine, gearbox or exhaust system, freeing up a lot of room for occupants. Rear leg room is plentiful, even when you’re sat behind a driver of taller stature, while the rear floor is completely flat (great news if you end up sat in the middle) and six-footers won’t be left wanting for head room, even when a sunroof is fitted.
The rear seats fold in a 60/40 configuration and feature a central ski hatch. The seats can be lowered from the boot via a couple pull traps. And once they’re folded, there’s no step in the extended load floor, so larger items can be slid forwards with ease.
Alternatively, if you want more luggage space but still need to carry rear passengers, the rear seats can be slid forwards on rails. This feature is likely to come in handy, because the boot is on the small side, offering just 273 litres of space when the rear seats are slid fully back. By comparison, the e-2008 provides 434 litres and the Countryman 450 litres.
More positively, the Smart #1’s main boot features a good amount of underfloor storage space, and there’s an additional 15-litre ‘froot’ under the bonnet of the car, where you can stash the charging cables.
From launch, three trim levels will be offered: Pro Plus, Premium and the Launch Edition. Only 1000 Launch Edition cars will be sold worldwide, and they feature a unique exterior colour combination and chequered patterns throughout such as on the leather seats, sunroof and alloy wheels.
As far as safety goes, the #1 will be available with seven airbags, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot warning, automatic parking and high-beam assist. UK trim levels and standard equipment are still yet to be confirmed.
When buying a new Smart, customers will have the choice of buying completely online or via a dealer. The online service in particular will be at the forefront of the company’s new business model, although the dealer network is being retained so customers can go and see the cars in person and drive them before buying.
In the UK, an eight-year 100,000 mile warranty will be offered on all models for the electric drivetrain, while the rest of the car will be covered for three years and unlimited mileage.
Pricing is yet to be confirmed, but we expect the #1 to start in the region of £32,000 for the entry-level Pro Plus. This is in line with the e-2008, which starts from £33,700. The rest of the range will then move up to approximately £35,000 and £38,000 for the mid-level Premium and range-topping Launch Edition respectively. Order books will open in September with first UK deliveries planned for Summer 2023.
Keyword: 2023 Smart SUV revealed: price, specs and release date