REVIEW: Smart #1 Brabus Enters a New Chapter of Smart

What do you get when a tech-obsessed Chinese automaker gets into bed with one of Germany’s finest design houses? You get smart.

Now, I’m not sure if you are familiar with the OG smart cars—those tiny little city runabouts buzzing around like mosquitoes in Germany rush hour—forget them. Since 2019, with both Daimler and Geely calling the shots, smart has evolved. Grown up, you could say. It still makes small cars, yes, but now they’re not so small anymore, and they are classier and fully electric.

So what’s in the DNA of a modern Smart? You get Geely’s matured EV platform and powertrain (think Volvo-grade engineering), with Mercedes’ design panache—inside and out. Best of both worlds, basically.

And today, we’re not just talking about any smart car. We’re talking about their firstborn: the smart #1. But not just any #1—this one’s been to the gym, with outrageously big muscles, courtesy of Brabus. Yes, that Brabus—the same folks who tune everyday Mercedes vehicles into supercars.

So this car doesn’t just have two parents. It has three: Geely, Mercedes-Benz and Brabus.

Is the result any good? Spoiler alert: It’s insanely great!

Seeing Red

At first glance, the smart #1 Brabus doesn’t immediately stand out. It low-key flexes with details that any true car connoisseur will appreciate. While the standard #1 has a modern, chunky silhouette that feels like a friendly robot on wheels, the Brabus version spice it up with subtle touches and details.

The most obvious giveaway? Those dual vents on the front hood. Not just for looks—they serve a functional purpose too, aiding airflow and giving the front end a meaner, more aggressive profile. It’s a small sports utility vehicle (SUV), yes, but it’s not here to play nice.

Then there’s that slash of red running across the lower front vent—a subtle Brabus signature touch. It is kind of a “quiet luxury” statement. If you know, you know. Most pedestrian may overlook this small detail, but car enthusiasts who know their stuff will know what this car is truly capable of.

The red accents don’t stop there, either. You’ll find them echoed along the side mirrors and brake calipers too, adding just enough visual punch without turning the car into a rolling Christmas ornament.

An Almost-Mercedes Interior

Quiz Time: What do you get when you round up a bunch of enthusiastic Mercedes-Benz designers, tell them to loosen their ties, stop taking themselves too seriously, and design the interior of a spaceship—for the TikTok generation?

You get the smart #1 Brabus’ cabin. It’s futuristic without trying too hard, playful yet premium with a big tinge of performance trims.

Don’t believe me? Interior 360 view time! Feel free to spin, pinch and zoom to take a look around the cabin.

smart cheekily claims the interior space is better than a Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and honestly, they might be right. There are heaps of legroom, generous headroom, more than you could imagine given that the car looks deceptively tiny from the outside.

Up front, everything you touch has that unmistakable Mercedes-grade fit and finish—solid, tactile, and polished. The materials feel premium without being pretentious, and the layout is smart (pun not intended, but I’ll take it).

From the brushed metal air vents to the pill-shaped floating centre console, there’s a sense of fun and flair here that says, “I’m stylish, I’m techie, but I also know how to have a good time.” Add in Brabus-specific details like the red seatbelts and performance bucket seats, and you’ve got yourself a cabin that’s equally ready for both K-pop playlists and corner-carving drives.

And just like any good performance vehicle worth their weight (and price), smart has been really liberal with the use of Alcantara fabric throughout the cabin. The moment your hands touch the steering wheel, you’ll feel it—smooth, grippy, and reassuring, just like a high-performance sports car should. Alcantara isn’t just reserved for the steering wheels either; it’s scattered all around the cabin, especially as upholstery for parts of the seats.

Speaking of seats—smart’s engineers have really struck a masterful balance between performance and practicality here. While the seats look just as sexy as any high-performance sports bucket seat—tight, supportive, and with that perfect amount of aggressive bolstering—there’s still room for family-friendly features. Even the front passenger seat comes equipped with ISOFIX attachment points for child seats – a rarity, as on most cars this is limited to the rear seats only.

Hop into the back and you’ll be equally satisfied. There’s a beautifully designed air-con vent that greets you and pipe you that nice cooling air, with USB C ports conveniently located below it.

Space-wise, as this is a true-blue electric vehicle, the smart #1 Brabus benefits from the freedom that comes with having a completely flat floorboard. This makes legroom a non-issue, even for the person unfortunate enough to be stuck in the middle of the rear seats.

Fun Infotainment

If the interior is all about premium luxury, the infotainment system is where the smart #1 Brabus lets loose. It’s fun, playful, and doesn’t take itself too seriously.

The Home Screen features a cheeky fox mascot. and a tiny Earth-like sphere, giving you quick access to navigation, EV chargers, and parking features. And, in true smart fashion, the tech is more than just fun—it’s practical too. Get too close to a kerb or wall, and the system triggers an additional camera display, showing exactly how far you are from scratching your car. It’s like having a little guardian angel for your car, guiding you through tight spaces.

The before mentioned fox mascot finds itself on multiple screens, including the air-con controls, where it even gets blasted with the same wind strength you set for the cabin.

The user interface is colourful, responsive, and designed to be intuitive. There are plenty of customisable options, from changing themes to fine-tuning your driving preferences, making it easy to match the car’s vibe to your mood.

Most Importantly: How does it drive?

When it comes to driving the smart #1 Brabus, comfort mode is ideal for your everyday commute, especially when you’re carrying passengers. But let’s be real—Sports mode feels pretty pointless when you’ve got Brabus mode in the Brabus version.

Brabus mode is where things get serious. With 584Nm of torque, you go from 0-100km/h in just 3.9 seconds. The surge is so addictive that the idea of Sports mode seems redundant. You press the pedal, and the car jumps forward with effortless power. You can feel the front lift slightly, your body presses back into the seat, and even your blood starts rushing to the back of your head. Passengers who aren’t used to that kind of G-force will likely feel a little woozy—but they’ll love it anyway.

Keep your foot down, and the car’s front wheels may start to lift even more, testing the limits of traction. Luckily, being an all-wheel drive with a front motor, the Brabus version feels super stable, even when you’re pushing it hard.

And of course, there’s eco mode—though honestly, you’d only use it if you’re desperately low on battery and there’s no charger in sight.

Quality Ride

When it comes to ride quality, the smart #1 Brabus leans a bit on the softer side for a vehicle with this kind of performance. It’s more comfortable than you’d expect, especially during daily commutes or when cruising around the city. While it’s not quite as firm as some of its performance-focused rivals, the slightly softer suspension still manages to keep things composed. It’s an odd mix, really—there’s the sporty power, but the ride itself feels more relaxed, almost cushioned, especially when you’re just cruising.

Now, when it comes to braking, that’s where things feel a bit off to me. At first, the brakes feel a little underwhelming. There’s an initial dead zone where the pedal feels too soft, which leaves you wondering if you’ve pressed it enough. It’s only after that initial travel that the brakes engage properly, and by then, it can throw off your confidence, especially when you need to make a quick stop. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it definitely detracts from the otherwise dynamic driving experience and needs some time to get used to.

On the plus side, the soundproofing in the smart #1 Brabus is superb. Whether you’re zipping around city streets or cruising at highway speeds, the cabin remains impressively quiet. Road noise, engine hum, and the usual hustle and bustle of urban driving are kept at bay, creating a peaceful, almost serene environment. It’s a nice touch for a car that’s as performance-oriented as it is practical, making every drive feel more relaxed and enjoyable.

Nitpicking

As someone who’s quite sensitive to sound, there are two minor issues with the smart #1 that I’d like to point out—both related to its audio system.

Firstly, the signal sound and other warning alerts seem to share the same audio channel on the onboard system. This causes the signalling sound to either get abruptly cut off or not play at all when the car tries to play a different warning sound. This leaves me uncertain if the signal is actually on, as there’s no clear audio cue to confirm it.

Secondly, while the fit and finish of the interior feel flawless and premium to the touch, I noticed some very soft creaks while driving—especially over uneven road surfaces.

This isn’t the kind of quality I expect from a premium vehicle. To be fair, the model I’m reviewing is likely over a year old, has been driven by multiple media outlets, and might have seen some wear and tear. According to smart Singapore, this unit is also a pre-production unit, so the final mass-produced cars could have better assembly. That said, the creaks are very faint, and most people might not notice them. I happen to have very sensitive hearing, so I tend to pick up on these things more than others.

In Conclusion

The smart #1 Brabus is perfect for those who crave a fun, zippy ride and are willing to embrace the adrenaline that comes with having Brabus mode just a switch away. If you’ve got the discipline to drive safely despite the power at your fingertips, this car will keep you grinning. It’s also a great choice for those who regularly ferry passengers and value interior space—there’s ample room for five adults to ride in comfort, without compromising on style or tech. If you’re after a car that balances thrill and practicality, the smart #1 Brabus hits the sweet spot.

If you like what the smart #1 Brabus has to offer but have a little more cash to spare, and you’re looking for something slightly bigger, with even better handling and a bit more speed, check out my smart #3 Brabus review. It’s a step up in nearly every way while still packing all the fun and style you’d expect from a Brabus.

What’s to like 0 to 100kmh in 3.9s Adrenaline-filled handling and acceleration Practical and spacious passenger cabin Quality and premium interior

What’s holding it back Signalling sound can get interrupted Battery (and therefore range) is on the smaller side (66 kWh) Some panel creaks could be heard (but very soft, and could be because the unit tested is pre-production)

Key Figures

Battery Capacity	66 kWh (Lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxides battery NCM)
Range (WLTP)	400 km
Torque	584 Nm
Power	428 kW (503bhp) 0-100km/h in 3.2s
Boot Space	323 L (426 L if rear seats are pushed forward)
Price (with COE)	Brabus: S$ 258,000 (April 2025) Pro+: S$ 210,000 (April 2025)