2024 Smart #3 Premium Review

In recent years, the competition in Malaysia's C-Segment pure electric vehicle market has become increasingly fierce. Consumers are looking for pure electric models with sufficient range while also expecting no compromise on configuration and space. As a new choice in this segment, the smart #3 Premium focuses on key selling points such as a 2785mm long wheelbase, L2 level driving assistance systems, and a 13-speaker Beats audio system. This test drive aims to verify whether these highlights truly enhance daily usage experience, as well as to see if its performance in power and range meets expectations.

The exterior design of the #3 Premium is highly recognizable, featuring an overall sporty style. The front fascia adopts a closed grille paired with sharp LED headlights on both sides, and the daytime running lights have a folded-line design, offering high recognizability when lit. The side profile is sleek, with a sloping coupe-SUV design extending from the A-pillar to the rear. The 19-inch wheels paired with 245/45 R19 tires further enhance the sporty vibe. The rear features eye-catching through-type LED taillights, with the dot matrix design inside the light cluster creating a striking effect when illuminated at night. Although the lower rear bumper diffuser is not highly functional, it does contribute to the overall sporty atmosphere.

Once inside, the first impression is the interior's sense of quality. The dashboard is wrapped in soft-touch materials, complemented by silver trims and piano black panels. Although the piano black finish tends to show fingerprints easily, the overall sense of premium quality is decent within this price range. The center console features a 12.8-inch touchscreen with smooth interface responsiveness. It supports CarPlay and Android Auto for connectivity, making daily operations very convenient. There are many configuration highlights, such as the HUD head-up display, which shows information like speed and navigation, reducing the need to look down at the instrument panel. The front seats are power-adjustable with lumbar support, ensuring that long drives remain comfortable. The rear seats come equipped with independent air conditioning vents and USB charging ports, catering to the needs of rear passengers.

Space is one of the advantages of the #3 Premium. The 2785mm wheelbase provides ample rear legroom. With a passenger height of 175cm in the back seat, there is roughly two fists of legroom left. The headroom is slightly compressed due to the sloping roof design but still offers about one fist's space, ensuring it does not feel oppressive. The trunk has a moderate default capacity, but since the rear seats can fold down in a 60:40 split, larger storage space can be created to accommodate big luggage items. Interior storage compartments are also plentiful, with generous central armrest storage and door panel pockets, making it convenient for daily essentials such as phones and beverages.

In terms of performance, the #3 Premium is equipped with a rear-mounted single motor delivering a maximum power of 268PS and a peak torque of 343N·m. The official 0-100km/h acceleration time is 5.8 seconds. During actual driving, the power response during startup is swift; a light press on the accelerator delivers a significant push-back sensation, making it easy to overtake on city roads. Switching to Sport mode provides more aggressive power output, suitable for scenarios where you might want to enjoy driving pleasure occasionally. In Eco mode, the power output becomes relatively smoother, making it more suitable for daily commuting, with the added benefit of slightly conserving battery power.

The handling performance exceeds expectations. The steering wheel has moderate force, with precise pointing. The body lean is well-controlled during cornering. The suspension system adopts an independent suspension combination of front MacPherson and rear multi-link. On bumpy urban roads, it filters out most fine vibrations. Meanwhile, when passing speed bumps, the suspension rebounds crisply without excessive swaying. The chassis is overall tuned for comfort but retains a certain level of support, balancing daily commuting and occasional spirited driving.

In terms of range and energy consumption, we conducted an actual test. With 50% city roads and 50% highways, while using air conditioning and music, after driving 200km, the dashboard display showed an approximate remaining range of 220km. The range achievement rate is about 90%, which is above average among vehicles in its class. On fast charging, it takes about 30 minutes to charge from 30% to 80%, and slow charging takes about 3 hours to go from 0 to 100%, which is sufficient for daily charging needs.

The noise control is done well. At high speeds, wind noise and tire noise are kept within an acceptable range and do not affect conversations among passengers in the car. There are three adjustable levels for energy recovery. The highest level has a significant recovery force, with a noticeable dragging sensation when releasing the accelerator, making it suitable for congested road conditions and somewhat reducing brake usage. The lowest level of recovery force approximates the coasting feeling of a fuel-powered car, suitable for users accustomed to the driving feel of traditional fuel vehicles.

Overall, the core strengths of the smart #3 Premium lie in its spacious interior, rich configurations, and good performance. Compared to competitors in the same class, it offers a higher level of features, such as standard HUD, 360-degree panoramic imaging, automatic parking, and other functionalities that are rare at the same price range, making it highly cost-effective. It is suitable for families that value space and configuration while requiring a comfortable car for daily commuting and occasionally enjoying driving fun, especially for young families. It meets daily mobility needs while also accommodating a certain degree of individuality and technological flair.

In summary, the smart #3 Premium is a well-balanced C-Segment pure electric SUV. It has no significant shortcomings in terms of space, configuration, performance, or range. If you are looking for a pure electric vehicle suitable for family use, it is worth considering.