Smart #1 Brabus review: Unremarkably sporty
A TEST REPORT from Dominic Lux 
on February 22, 2024, 13:00 p.m. | Write a comment
The Smart #1 is very popular. It wasn't difficult to foresee that the long-standing collaboration with the tuning company "Brabus" known from Mercedes would be continued. We tested the inconspicuous Smart #1 Brabus for you in everyday life. You can find out here what the compact SUV can do and, above all, whether the Brabus version is worth it.
With the Smart #1, the new joint venture between Mercedes and Geely has brought a really good compact SUV onto the market. We have the Premium as well as the Pro+ Version of the #1 with rear-wheel drive and 272 hp has already been tested in everyday life. Now with the top “Brabus” equipment there is all-wheel drive and a whopping 428 hp of power. We found out for you how they feel in such a compact car.
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tl;dr: Really outstanding performance
From the outside, the #1 Brabus looks pretty normal until you come across the smaller Brabus logos, which could reveal a little more “performance”. Our test car had a somewhat unspectacular paint job, but it ensured a good sleeper look. But let's get to the hard facts: The Smart #1 Brabus accelerates from 3,9 to 0 km/h in just 100 seconds. That is a considerable value, for which you have to choose a much more expensive model in the combustion engine world. The #1 Brabus uses the same 66 kWh battery as the premium version. Of this, 62 kWh can realistically be used. In everyday life, this results in a range of approx. 360 km, which can then be recharged with up to 153 kW at the fast charging station, with a very good charging curve in this area, which, among other things, puts fear into the VW MEB models.
Sporty driving is of course also possible; consumption is then less than 10 degrees at 20-22 kWh per 100 km. A good value for this performance, but it could be a little more efficient, but you can prefer the normal rear-wheel drive version if you want to be more economical.
Test report as video
Design: unspectacular, but Brabus
At least this applies to the test car, which is white with a black roof; it hardly shows that it is the Brabus version. All around you can find the Brabus logos with some carbon foiling on the extended perimeters. The two fake air inlets on the hood could then tell the targeted connoisseur that it is the Brabus. Nevertheless, I would personally go for the version with a red roof and red exterior mirrors.
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- Picture: TechnikNews
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- Picture: TechnikNews
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- Picture: TechnikNews
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- Picture: TechnikNews
The red, sporty brake pads and the red lower lip at the front were also convincing from the Brabus, as was also a small spoiler at the rear of the vehicle. At night, the Brabus logo appears out of the mirrors onto the floor proinjected. If the Smart logo on the C pillar had perhaps been replaced with the well-known large “B”, I think it would have been even more successful. In the interior you will find red seat belts and a lot of Alcantara velor look, and a silver-grey dashboard, which you only get on the Brabus. The seats have a similar texture and are quite comfortable, but don't expect sport bucket seats. Comfort comes before sportiness here, of course. The headrests are decorated with red plastic on the sides and already offer thisproBig Brabus logo, embroidered. The steering wheel is also made of a material similar to Alcantara and is very interesting to touch.
Infotainment: Android Auto and Apple CarPlay now wireless
In our Smart #1 Premium test, there were neither screen mirroring methods to choose from. Now via an over-the-air software update, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are available in very good resolution and flawless speed on the entire infotainment display. That's actually how it has to be in all of today's vehicles, at least as an alternative to the manufacturer's own system. Unless you already rely on Android Automotive. The rest of the system hasn't changed much. The Brabus still has virtual engine sounds, but they are already very loud and annoying at 98 km/h.
Picture: TechnikNews
I would therefore deactivate this permanently, which fortunately is possible at any time. You can find further information about the rest of the Smart #1 infotainment in our #1 Premium Review. On the last day of our test there was a small OTA update, which activated the already installed steering wheel heating, which becomes pleasantly warm.
Driving behavior: Pleasant in curves and extremely fast
The #1 Brabus, as the name suggests, has been trimmed by Brabus so that you can drive it a little sportier, which the driver doesn't hold against. After all, 428 hp are available at any time. Due to its height, it naturally wobbles a bit in very strong winds, but with the right tires it can still transfer its performance well to the road. The only thing we were missing here was a proper launch control feature.
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- Picture: TechnikNews
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- Picture: TechnikNews
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- Picture: TechnikNews
He has plenty of room for spontaneous overtaking. It goes up to a maximum of 180 km/h without much difficulty, which was first introduced by Volvo in the Geely Group. It's definitely a lot of fun in everyday life, but I would still prefer the normal Smart #1 Premium, the 272 hp rear-wheel drive is simply enough. But if you want more sportiness due to high horsepower, you of course have the option with the Brabus.
Prices: Relatively cheap for the performance and features
48.990 euros (incl. 19 Procent VAT) Smart currently wants for the #1 Brabus. In our opinion, a very fair price for the performance and the good quality of the vehicle. In comparison with the direct competition such as a Cupra Born or VW ID.3, which come with significantly spartan equipment and the software currently cannot at least keep up with that of the Smart. Except for charging route planning, Smart says it would like to remedy this with an update at the end of February. We remain excited.
If you want a coupe-like Smart #1, you should look for the Smart #3. This is basically a crossover SUV version of the #1 and offers a little more space in the back as well as in the trunk. We will of course also test it for you in due course.
