The Smart #1 is an all-new electric SUV that comes with a tech-filled interior and an array of sophisticated safety features…

cars, smart, amazon, electric car news and features, industry news, amazon, 2023 smart suv revealed: price, specs and release date

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.

cars, smart, amazon, electric car news and features, industry news, amazon, 2023 smart suv revealed: price, specs and release date

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.

cars, smart, amazon, electric car news and features, industry news, amazon, 2023 smart suv revealed: price, specs and release date

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.

cars, smart, amazon, electric car news and features, industry news, amazon, 2023 smart suv revealed: price, specs and release date

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.

cars, smart, amazon, electric car news and features, industry news, amazon, 2023 smart suv revealed: price, specs and release date

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.

cars, smart, amazon, electric car news and features, industry news, amazon, 2023 smart suv revealed: price, specs and release date

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.

cars, smart, amazon, electric car news and features, industry news, amazon, 2023 smart suv revealed: price, specs and release date

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.

cars, smart, amazon, electric car news and features, industry news, amazon, 2023 smart suv revealed: price, specs and release date

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.

cars, smart, amazon, electric car news and features, industry news, amazon, 2023 smart suv revealed: price, specs and release date

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

CAR'S NEWS RELATED

Nissan, Researchers Working To End Traffic Jams With Smart Highways

Using specially equipped 100 Nissan Rogues, the experiment was done on an open road.

View more: Nissan, Researchers Working To End Traffic Jams With Smart Highways

Everything you need to know about the Smart ForFour

Is the smart forfour a good car?  Who is the smart forfour a good car for? Is the smart forfour a good first car? Is the smart forfour a good family car? Is there a Hybrid smart forfour? What’s it like to drive?  Reviewer’s opinion What does it look ...

View more: Everything you need to know about the Smart ForFour

Elon Musk to make alternative smartphone if Apple or Google bans Twitter

The idea of an Elon Musk-led company creating a smartphone has caught the imagination of many over the years, so much so that some YouTube channels continue to peddle the alleged release of products like the “Tesla Pi Phone” that’s supposedly poised to compete with Apple’s iPhone and other ...

View more: Elon Musk to make alternative smartphone if Apple or Google bans Twitter

Grab the all-new Insignia 32-inch Smart TV for under $100 for Black Friday

Autoblog may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Pricing and availability are subject to change. If a Fire Stick is just one step too far down the road of “extra devices I definitely don’t need,” but you’re still looking to get into the smart ...

View more: Grab the all-new Insignia 32-inch Smart TV for under $100 for Black Friday

Geely is making a clone of the smart#1

Geely making a smart move by making a Zeekr EV that's exactly like the smart#1? Looks like the smart#1 will have some family rivalry soon as carnewschina.com has spotted the new Zeekr compact EV SUV, which looks to be the same size as the smart#1. Codenamed BX1E, the EV apparently ...

View more: Geely is making a clone of the smart#1

Grizzl-E Smart Commercial Bundle Offers Charging Solutions For Condo And Apartment Dwellers

Over 70 million Americans live in condominiums, rental apartments and other multi-resident homes with shared parking.

View more: Grizzl-E Smart Commercial Bundle Offers Charging Solutions For Condo And Apartment Dwellers

The New Smart #1 Happens To Be Surprisingly Safe: Euro NCAP Results

The Smart #1 gets not only 5 stars overall, but also 96% for Adult Occupant protection.

View more: The New Smart #1 Happens To Be Surprisingly Safe: Euro NCAP Results

First images revealed of the Smart #3

A registration application in China has revealed the first pictures and data on the second model of the Smart brand. Next to a modified body, the model will also have an all-wheel drive with a second electric motor, and at least one more battery option. The second model after ...

View more: First images revealed of the Smart #3

Smart #3 leaked in China, the electric coupe-SUV that will likely arrive in Malaysia

Smart rolls out a slightly larger electric SUV

New 2023 Smart #3 SUV leaked in Chinese homologation filings

Smart #1 scores 5-star Euro NCAP rating – Malaysia-launch in Q4 2023

Terowong SMART berfungsi Baik – Hujan lebat 6 jam, tiada banjir

2022 Honda Civic RS e:HEV hybrid launched in Malaysia; priced from RM 167k, 315 Nm, Smart Key

What New Smart Technology Does the 2023 Honda Pilot SUV Offer?

Can smart charging technology help to alleviate EV grid demand?

Lug+Carrie introduces smart journey app to make electric cycling safer for ‘mums and dads’

Smart Money in 1988 Invested in a Mercury Topaz

This Bugatti smartwatch feels like someone’s missed the point

IIHS: Smartphone apps drive gig workers, parents to distraction

OTHER CAR NEWS

; Top List in the World https://www.pinterest.com/newstopcar/pins/
Top Best Sushi Restaurants in SeoulTop Best Caribbean HoneymoonsTop Most Beautiful Islands in PeruTop Best Outdoor Grill BrandsTop Best Global Seafood RestaurantsTop Foods to Boost Your Immune SystemTop Best Foods to Fight HemorrhoidsTop Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a BananaTop Best Healthy Foods to Gain Weight FastTop Best Cosmetic Brands in the U.STop Best Destinations for Food Lovers in EuropeTop Best Foods High in Vitamin ATop Best Foods to Lower Your Blood SugarTop Best Things to Do in LouisianaTop Best Cities to Visit in New YorkTop Best Makeup Addresses In PennsylvaniaTop Reasons to Visit NorwayTop Most Beautiful Islands In The WorldTop Best Law Universities in the WorldTop Richest Sportsmen In The WorldTop Biggest Aquariums In The WorldTop Best Peruvian Restaurants In MiamiTop Best Road Trips From MiamiTop Best Places to Visit in MarylandTop Best Places to Visit in North CarolinaTop Best Electric Cars For KidsTop Best Swedish Brands in The USTop Best Skincare Brands in AmericaTop Best American Lipstick BrandsTop Michelin-starred Restaurants in MiamiTop Best Secluded Getaways From MiamiTop Best Things To Do On A Rainy Day In MiamiTop Most Instagrammable Places In MiamiTop Interesting Facts about FlorenceTop Facts About The First Roman Emperor - AugustusTop Best Japanese FoodsTop Most Beautiful Historical Sites in IsraelTop Best Places To Visit In Holy SeeTop Best Hawaiian IslandsTop Reasons to Visit PortugalTop Best Hotels In L.A. With Free Wi-FiTop Best Scenic Drives in MiamiTop Best Vegan Restaurants in BerlinTop Most Interesting Attractions In WalesTop Health Benefits of a Vegan DietTop Best Thai Restaurant in Las VegasTop Most Beautiful Forests in SwitzerlandTop Best Global Universities in GermanyTop Most Beautiful Lakes in GuyanaTop Best Things To Do in IdahoTop Things to Know Before Traveling to North MacedoniaTop Best German Sunglasses BrandsTop Highest Mountains In FranceTop Biggest Hydroelectric Plants in AmericaTop Best Spa Hotels in NYCTop The World's Scariest BridgeTop Largest Hotels In AmericaTop Most Famous Festivals in JordanTop Best European Restaurants in MunichTop Best Japanese Hiking Boot BrandsTop Best Universities in PolandTop Best Tips for Surfing the Web Safely and AnonymouslyTop Most Valuable Football Clubs in EuropeTop Highest Mountains In ColombiaTop Real-Life Characters of Texas RisingTop Best Beaches in GuatelamaTop Things About DR Congo You Should KnowTop Best Korean Reality & Variety ShowsTop Best RockstarsTop Most Beautiful Waterfalls in GermanyTop Best Fountain Pen Ink BrandsTop Best European Restaurants in ChicagoTop Best Fighter Jets in the WorldTop Best Three-Wheel MotorcyclesTop Most Beautiful Lakes in ManitobaTop Best Dive Sites in VenezuelaTop Best Websites For Art StudentsTop Best Japanese Instant Noodle BrandsTop Best Comedy Manhwa (Webtoons)Top Best Japanese Sunglasses BrandsTop Most Expensive Air Jordan SneakersTop Health Benefits of CucumberTop Famous Universities in SwedenTop Most Popular Films Starring Jo Jung-sukTop Interesting Facts about CougarsTop Best Hospitals for Hip Replacement in the USATop Most Expensive DefendersTop Health Benefits of GooseberriesTop Health Benefits of ParsnipsTop Best Foods and Drinks in LondonTop Health Benefits of Rosehip TeaTop Best Air Fryers for Low-fat CookingTop Most Asked Teacher Interview Questions with AnswersTop Best Shopping Malls in ZurichTop The Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens In L.A.Top Best Mexican Restaurants in Miami for Carb-loading rightTop Best Energy Companies in GermanyTop Best Garage HeatersTop Largest Banks in IrelandTop Leading Provider - Audit and Assurance In The USTop Best Jewelry Brands in IndiaTop Prettiest Streets in the UKTop Best Lakes to Visit in TunisiaTop Highest Mountains in Israel