Smart #1 Brabus

Overview

The Smart #1 Brabus is the feisty, high-performance flagship of the #1 lineup, transforming the chic electric SUV into a proper pocket rocket! Co-developed with the renowned German tuner, it packs a serious punch with all-wheel drive and aggressive styling. It's designed for those who want compact practicality with a thrilling driving experience. In Europe, expect a new price around €48,990, with used examples appearing near €35,900. This little beast redefines what a Smart can be, offering a unique blend of urban agility and electrifying performance that’s hard to ignore.

What's New for 2025?

For 2025, the Smart #1 Brabus largely continues to impress with its established high-performance formula launched in 2023. While major overhauls aren't on the cards this year, expect continuous software updates refining the infotainment and vehicle systems, enhancing user experience and potentially tweaking efficiency. Smart often rolls out over-the-air improvements, so the car you buy today might just get even better tomorrow. Otherwise, the Brabus retains its potent dual-motor setup, aggressive styling cues, and comprehensive tech package that made it a standout from its debut, ensuring it remains a compelling hot electric hatch-SUV.

Design & Exterior

The Smart #1 Brabus screams performance with its bespoke styling! It gets aggressive front and rear bumpers, a unique grille, extra air ducts on the bonnet, and striking 19-inch 'Dynamo' alloy wheels, often with red accents. Brabus badging and a more pronounced rear spoiler complete the sporty transformation. Signature LED lighting adds to its modern appeal. Dimensions are compact yet substantial for an SUV: 4300 mm long, 1822 mm wide (excluding mirrors), and 1636 mm high. It’s a proper head-turner, looking meaner and more purposeful than its standard #1 siblings.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Step inside the #1 Brabus, and you're greeted by a cabin that blends luxury with sporty flair. Think supportive sports seats wrapped in microfiber suede with red stitching and Brabus logos. You get a panoramic sunroof, a 12.8-inch central touchscreen, and a 9.2-inch digital driver display. A premium Beats sound system is typically standard. Passenger space is surprisingly good for its class. Cargo-wise, there's 313 litres in the boot, expanding to 976 litres with seats down, plus a handy 15-litre frunk for charging cables. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are usually included.

Performance & Driving Experience

This ain't your grandma's Smart! The #1 Brabus is a rocket, zipping from 0-100 km/h in a mere 3.9 seconds thanks to its dual PMSM motors (one front, one rear) churning out a combined 315 kW and a hefty 584 Nm of torque. The all-wheel-drive system ensures brilliant traction off the line and confident handling. While the ride is firmer than the standard #1, it's not overly harsh, striking a decent balance. It feels agile and incredibly responsive, making it a hoot to drive on twisty roads or just darting through city traffic. Regenerative braking is adjustable.

Range, Battery & Charging

The Brabus packs a 62 kWh (usable) battery, delivering a Green Cars Compare estimated real-world range of around 340 km. Its efficiency is rated at 5.48 km/kWh. Charging is a strong suit: it boasts a stonking 22 kW AC on-board charger as standard, meaning a full top-up at a compatible public charger or home wallbox can be surprisingly quick. For rapid charging on the go, it supports up to 150 kW DC via its CCS Type 2 port, allowing a 10-80% charge in under 30 minutes. Its 400V architecture supports this impressive speed.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Safety is well-covered in the Smart #1 Brabus, which inherits the standard model's impressive 5-star Euro NCAP rating. It comes loaded with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance systems, often bundled under a 'Pilot Assist' package. This typically includes adaptive cruise control with stop & go, active lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition, and automatic emergency braking. A 360-degree camera and parking sensors are also usually standard on this top-tier trim, making urban manoeuvres a doddle and motorway cruising more relaxed and secure.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Owners of the Smart #1 Brabus can expect peace of mind with a competitive warranty package. Typically, Smart offers a 3-year/unlimited mileage basic vehicle warranty in Europe. The crucial high-voltage battery is usually covered for 8 years or 160,000 km (whichever comes first), with a guarantee against degradation below 70% state of health. Powertrain components often align with the battery warranty. Maintenance on EVs is generally lower than ICE cars, but check with your local dealer for specific service schedules and any complimentary maintenance offers that might be available in your region.