New Smart #1 EV SUV revealed in 428hp Brabus trim: price, specs and release date

You’ll be able to order a new Smart #1 electric SUV Launch Edition in the UK in January 2023. More models, including a sporty Brabus version, will follow later in 2023. Read on for more details.

• Smart #1 SUV available to order from January
• New 428hp Brabus model revealed
• Largest Smart vehicle to date
• Electric-only five-door SUV
• Up to 273 miles of range
• 150kW fast charging

This is the new electric Smart #1 SUV. It’s the brand’s first-ever electric SUV and the largest vehicle it has ever produced. It’ll soon be available to order in the UK in high-spec Launch Edition guise with sportier Brabus versions going on sale soon after.

Further versions of this alternative to the Peugeot e-2008 and Mini Countryman EV alternative will go on sale in late spring 2023.

New Smart #1 design

Despite being called the #1, this new car is the largest vehicle Smart has ever made – it’s about the same size as a Mini Countryman.

The size and naming convention aren’t the only new features this car debuts for the Smart brand – its pointy headlights and blanked-off grille are a far cry from the awkward-looking ForTwo and ForFour.

This sleek styling isn’t just for show either, because the Smart #1 is set to be one of the most aerodynamic SUVs on sale to help it slip through the air cleanly and maximise how far you can drive between charges. More on this car’s range in a bit…

The rear-end design echoes that of the front, with a similar LED taillight cluster connected by a full-width light bar. The whole car has a very smooth look to it, with the door mirrors being the only obvious protrusion.

The #1 range will be kicking-off with a Launch Edition that’ll come in a special white and gold paint scheme, along with unique 19-inch alloy wheels and matrix LED headlights.

New Brabus models come with a redesigned front bumper and a remodelled bonnet with two slim air vents either side of the central Smart badge.

You also get new alloy wheels and a range of new two-tone paintwork options, including smart-looking red brake callipers (shown on the car above).

New Smart #1 interior

The interior of the new Smart #1 will remain faithful to the design of the concept car shown last year. It has the same flat-bottomed steering wheel and small driver’s display set behind it, similar to the one you get on a Ford Mustang Mach-E.

Get a good look at the Ford’s cabin by watching this in-depth video review…

You get a floating centre console on the Smart that’s covered in metallic trim, as well as some funky-looking ambient lighting. There’s a huge touchscreen tablet sat atop the dash that will control most of the car’s functions, including the climate control. To keep things simple, many features can also be operated using voice commands.

The full-length panoramic sunroof makes for a light and airy cabin – it certainly looks less claustrophobic than the ‘cosy’ cabins in today’s ForTwo and ForFour models.

The rear seats can also be moved backwards and forwards depending on whether you want more luggage space or more rear legroom – a handy feature in a car this size.

Launch Edition models get some upgrades including a two-tone leather interior, a 13-speaker Beats audio system and wireless smartphone charging.

New Smart #1 battery, performance and range

The Smart #1 comes with offers 150kW DC fast charging, which will boost the battery from 10% to 80% in around 30 minutes. A 22kW AC charger should do the same top-up in three hours.

A three-pin socket or small wallbox (as shown above) will take significantly longer to charge the car, however. The driver in this photo might have to think about finding somewhere to charge his phone, too, if he plans on standing there the whole time…

With its 66kWh batteries fully charged, the Smart #1 Pro+ has 260 miles of claimed range. The Premium model bumps this up to 273 miles. See how this compares to other new electric cars by watching this real-world range-test video…

The Smart #1 Pro+ and Premium modles will only be offered with one motor driving the rear wheels. It has 272hp and 343Nm of torque, which gives this electric SUV a top speed of 111mph and it should have plenty of poke for zipping around town and taking the odd motorway trip.

The new Brabus version comes with a more powerful dual-motor setup that produces 428hp and grants the dinky SUV four-wheel drive. This version accelerates from 0-60mph in just 3.9 seconds.

Any downsides? Well, the Brabus’ 248-mile claimed range is less than the standard car’s, and you can bet it’ll be significantly more expensive to buy, too. Speaking of which…

New Smart #1 price and release date

The Smart #1 will be available to order in the UK from January 2023 in high-spec Launch Edition guise. Pro+, Premium and Brabus models won’t go on sale until late spring 2023.

Seeing as this will be a completely new model in the Smart lineup with far more power, range and space than today’s EQ ForTwo and EQ ForFour models, you can expect the new car to cost more. The standard single-motor cars are likely to cost form around the £35,000 mark.

Can’t wait for this new car to go on sale? Check out the top 10 electric cars on sale or compare the latest Smart car deals available through carwow. You can also now sell your car through carwow. It’s quick, easy and free, and you’ll get offers back from our trusted dealer for what your car is really worth. Tap the button below to get started today.