Smart #1 Review

The B-segment pure electric vehicle market has become increasingly competitive locally in recent years. Many consumers want to embrace the convenience of electric vehicles while keeping the price within a reasonable range. The 2024 Smart #1 Pro, as the entry-level model in the series, enters the market with a price of RM 169,000, while retaining the iconic design and core configurations of the series. This makes us curious about whether it can strike a balance between cost performance and practicality. The main purpose of this test drive is to evaluate how this entry-level model performs in daily usage scenarios and to see if it can meet the basic needs of most family users.

From the exterior, the Smart #1 Pro continues the rounded and avant-garde design of the series, with smooth overall lines and a futuristic aesthetic. The front features a closed grille paired with sharp LED headlights on both sides, making it highly recognizable. The lower air intake design is simple, with no overly complex elements. The side of the car adopts a floating roof design, complemented by 19-inch wheels, giving it an elongated and dynamic visual effect. The rear's through-type LED taillights are a design highlight, looking striking when lit and echoing the front design. For the lighting system, LED headlights, daytime running lights, and automatic headlights are all standard, striking a balance between practicality and aesthetics.

Inside, the interior style is simple and bright, with a 12.8-inch touchscreen at the center of the dashboard, featuring a clear layout. The screen responds quickly, and its operating logic is intuitive, requiring little effort to learn for everyday usage. In terms of materials, the upper part of the dashboard is covered with soft-touch materials, while the lower part uses hard plastic. Nevertheless, the overall build quality is solid, with no obvious sense of cheapness. In terms of features, the fully digital instrument panel provides comprehensive vehicle information, while the multifunctional steering wheel supports common media controls and ACC cruise adjustment. The front seats offer electric adjustment with moderate support, ensuring comfort during long drives. The rear seats can be folded in a 60:40 split, providing good flexibility for loading large items along with a 411L trunk capacity. Regarding space performance, the 2750mm wheelbase ensures ample legroom for rear passengers. A passenger 175cm in height sitting in the back row will still have two fist-widths of space between their knees and the front seats, along with generous headroom. The presence of rear air conditioning vents and power outlets further enhances the comfort for rear passengers.

In terms of power, the Smart #1 Pro is equipped with a rear-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor producing a maximum power of 200kW (272PS) and a maximum torque of 343N·m. The officially reported 0-100km/h acceleration time is 6.7 seconds. During actual driving, the power response is swift during takeoff; a light press on the accelerator provides a noticeable pushback effect, instilling confidence when overtaking on urban roads. There are three driving modes—Eco, Comfort, and Sport. In Eco mode, power output is relatively smooth, making it suitable for daily commuting to save energy, while Sport mode significantly enhances power response, fitting for situations requiring rapid acceleration. In terms of range, the official pure electric range is 315km. Under mixed road conditions (50% urban and 50% highway) during our test, the practical range reached about 85% of the claimed figure. On highways, when maintaining a speed of 110km/h, energy consumption slightly increases, but overall performance meets expectations.

The handling and chassis performance are commendable. The combination of front MacPherson struts and rear multi-link independent suspension provides good shock absorption when dealing with urban bumpy roads. Tiny vibrations are effectively filtered out and rarely transmitted to the car interior. When driving around corners, the suspension provides adequate support, keeping body roll within a reasonable range. Coupled with the agility brought by the rear-wheel-drive layout, the overall driving experience is stable and intuitive. The steering wheel has moderate resistance and precise directionality, making daily driving effortless. Regarding noise control, the electric motor noise is almost inaudible during low-speed driving. At high speeds, wind and tire noise slightly increase but remain within an acceptable range, not interfering with in-car conversations.

As for safety features, the Smart #1 Pro delivers impressively with sincerity. Standard features include seven airbags (including knee and rear passenger airbags), lane change assist, forward collision warning, and a 360-degree panoramic camera. The Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system effectively reduces driving fatigue during highway travel. These configurations are above average among models in the same price range, providing adequate protection for daily journeys.

Overall, the main advantage of the 2024 Smart #1 Pro lies in its balanced performance: an entry-level price while retaining core power performance and safety features. Its space and comfort can meet the needs of family users, and its range generally covers daily commutes and short trips. Compared to other models in its class, its power parameters and safety configurations are competitive in the same price bracket. Although the driving range is not as good as the high-end version, it is more than sufficient for users with convenient charging conditions.

This car is better suited for cost-conscious family users or young professionals who want the tech appeal and driving experience of an electric vehicle without a high price tag, while still having certain expectations for space and safety configurations. Whether for daily commutes or short family outings during weekends, the Smart #1 Pro can handle it effortlessly.

In summary, the 2024 Smart #1 Pro is a pragmatic B-Segment pure electric vehicle. It avoids overly flashy features and focuses on delivering what users need most: power, space, safety, and essential tech configurations. Priced at RM 169,000, it is competitively positioned in the same market segment and is a worthy consideration for an entry-level electric vehicle.