Smart #1 - The Smart choice?

[@Roobubba]

Thanks for the great review, and you're the first person I've seen comment on the sustainability aspect, which I shall now have to add to the compromises we've made now that we have put in an order for a Premium trim #1...! We tested a bunch of cars over the last few weeks: Kona (refresh), Niro EV, Megane eTech, Ariya, Enyaq, and sat in a few more: MG4/5/ZS, Ioniq5, EV6, Leaf. We had booked a test drive in the Smart, which we did on the same day as a second test drive of both the Kona and the Niro EV, which was our shortlist from the first round. Compared to all of those listed above, the Smart was, for us, by far and away the nicest space to be in. As you say in your review, the interior is a wonderful place to be, very good attention to detail, the comfort is really up there. For us, it blew both the Kona and the Niro EV out of the water. I wanted to test out the regen braking in particular, as some reviewers commented on a delay before it kicks in - I guess Smart have fixed that as there was absolutely no delay at all, and it felt as good as both the Hyundai and the Kia. One thing that was painfully noticeable when we did these back-to-back tests were all the bings, bongs, dings and dongs you get, especially in the Kona, to a lesser extent the Niro, but which can at least be mostly removed and in any case are a lot more polite/less intrusive in the Smart! At least on the relatively short drives we did (up to 70 mph in all of them), the Smart was noticeably quieter on the road than either the Kona or Niro. Up there with the Ariya for quietness and refinement on the road - and that was a lovely car, but very much more expensive for a similar spec. The main compromises for us were a lower efficiency (than the Kona, perhaps not so much the Niro), small boot (yeah, it's irritatingly small!), but the ride quality, interior quality, amount of features you get as standard and the price were the deciding factors. On price: at least on the salary sacrifice scheme we are lucky enough to have access to, the Smart #1 premium is between £80 and £100 cheaper (net effect on take-home salary per month) than similarly spec'ed Kona/Niro, and that's with an all inclusive scheme with servicing, tyres, insurance, EU breakdown cover, etc. We were very surprised by it: a fantastic car!

[@fredbeblein2622]

I have watched this review for three times now, from beginning to end. And it is outstanding in its clarity and detail! You simply cannot do a car review any better!! Kudos from Germany!

[@AutoEV]

What a kind and lovely comment. Thank you very much, and I am glad you enjoyed it. Plenty more of them to come from us too!

[@gogee8510]

Love the review and the style of the review. More reasonable comments and critiques than any other car reviewers.

[@AutoEV]

Thank you for your kind comments, and of course, for watching the review. This week’s review goes live tonight at 7pm GMT.

[@TJ-mb4qs]

A good informative and level review. You covered most points only missing really the heat pump ( very important for winter cold weather performance) adaptive headlights ( very useful in twisty roads like we have in the Alps over here) media sound performance of the Beats premium sound system compared to Hyundai Bose system) electric easy entry seats ( my wife likes this feature although kids in the back beware your legs can get squashed!) and rear seats that recline for sleeping children in child seats! We have ordered one to replace our first gen EV Mercedes Class B Electric Drive which we have loved since we went to EV 4 years ago. We have never, in 60,000km, never needed to use a public charger! Always home charged with a 7.4kw BMW charger unit. But we use the car for mainly town, school run and shopping trips with occasional 100km trips up in the mountains. But we have got stuck in snow with 2 wheel drive on several occasions! Our #1 is for delivery early August. For your information we test drove the same model as you have and in fact it was marginally more efficient than our 2014 Tesla power train Mercedes Class B driven in E+ mode. We regularly get 15.8 kWh/100 km on the flat valley roads in E+ mode, but in the mountains 21-38 kWh. As we live in the French Alps, which in winter, roads get very challenging and snow covered, so we ordered the 4x4 Brabus, only because it is by far the least expensive 4x4 EV that is available at the moment that can drive safely in snow to the ski resorts. Second hand 2021 Ionia 5 HTrac which we considered still sells for more than a brand new #1 Brabus (€42,000 after Government grant) only advantage is a bigger boot, BUT Ionia 5 doesn’t have a rear wiper! In winter snowing conditions the Ioniq 5 is absolutely useless for rear vision, we tested it in snowing conditions a year ago. Also with the French government grant the 4x4 #1 with 3 year warranty is still more than €5000 cheaper than a 2 year old second hand Ionia 5 HTrac or €10,000 cheaper than a Kia EV6 4x4 version, and faster :) You should try testing and reporting on EVs driving in hilly areas, it makes a huge difference on consumption and it is never discussed on KZbin EV testing, only cold weather performance which does make a huge difference, but hills and mountains make a much bigger difference of range. I test drove both Mercedes EQC and Audi e-Tron and neither could make the 300km round trip in winter to either Val D’Isere or Val Thorens ski resorts on one single charge even though they are both supposed to have a range of close to 400km! Not in winter! Keep up your good informative reviews.

[@levfilmscars]

I met you whilst you were filming this, been waiting to see it since!! I've been enjoying your channel a lot, keep up the great work.

[@AutoEV]

Many thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@ohyesitsme]

It looks more of a Chinese design rather than German. By putting all controls into the screen is a big fail. When you look at the comments sections of many EV reviews people are shouting out to manufacturers to move the controls back to buttons and knobs, obviously they don't listen.

[@AutoEV]

Some are coking back to many manufacturers, others aren’t. It’s not ideal, I will give you that. But you do have some voice activation.

[@Spirit-np8un]

It's simpler to use (less buttons on the console), cheaper for the manufacturer, easier to maintain (hardware swapped to software) through an OTA update. This is the new way car will be manufactured since Tesla has shown the direction. You may have to get used to it or get back to 20th century cars.

[@ohyesitsme]

@@Spirit-np8un So what happens if the screen fails. You have then lost control of all the functions. Who the hell wants to have to search through a menu just to move your mirrors. In my mind all you need is a cradle for a smartphone with all other controls on buttons with regen on paddles. If you watched the video you can see when Bryan reaches a cross road his concentration is on trying to operate something on the screen and not so much on approaching traffic, as he is an experienced driver he copes with that situation but not all drivers are as capable. I wonder why they banned using phones while driving mmmm!

[@Guitarist789]

So imho having owned a Tesla with it’s no buttons and a BMW i3 with only buttons, I think this car strikes a good balance between touchscreen for OTA updates and physical buttons on the steering wheel. Smart….if you’ll pardon the obvious pun 👍.

[@Oriental-perspective]

作为中国人，我可以告诉你事实，90%的研发工作都在中国完成的。

[@andrewkirk3159]

Be interesting to see how the newly launched Volvo Ex30 compares to this Smart; both share Geely’s SEA platform and the dimensions and pricing are very similar. The Volvo manages a larger boot however and, from initial photos at least, appears a more cohesive design to my eyes. Hope you can review it soon.

[@4literv6]

The zeekr x&01 evs are both also on this platform.

[@Oriental-perspective]

还有zeekr x，今年年底进入欧洲，价格不便宜。

[@benjaminsmith2287]

I think it'll feel/drive like a smaller XC40. The Smart seems to have more rear room.

[@brucegraham8425]

Ex30 has larger boot, larger frunk, more safety features, better free colour options. Shares a lot of hardware but Volvo for me.

[@michalklucz6907]

@@brucegraham8425EX30 got larger boot only in standard setting. if you move the rear bench in the #1, the boot is actually larger. Also, you can get HUD and matrix lamps in #1

[@ISuperTed]

I couldn’t quite work out where I’d seen a very similar looking car until today and then it hit me. The #1 looks a lot like a blown up Vauxhall(Opel) Adam!

[@ISuperTed]

Great video as always. Interesting car to add into the mix of the £35k ish crowd. Do wish the price point was £5K lower though as leasing rates seem to have gone through the roof recently in these smallish EV’s, probably due to falling residuals. Definitely up there though with the Jeep Avenger as the most desirable small EV for now.

[@garrycroft4215]

I’m the number one #1 fan since the concept. I have a deposit down on the Brabus. I realise you have time constraints but you should have shown the electric roof blind and the self parking. Might have mentioned that it has dog mode, having a 22 kWh onboard AC charger is a game changer in any segment. Did I mention electric tailgate and matrix led headlights? I’m sorry I could go on. 😎

[@AutoEV]

The issue is, as you say, our videos are long enough as it is. We can’t get through everything unfortunately. Great news on the Brabus order. Let us know how you get on with it when it arrives!

[@garrycroft4215]

@@AutoEV I will although I have no timeline, best guess September-December 🤔

[@Spirit-np8un]

Big fan too!! Do you know whether it has Sentry Mode like Tesla? Don't think so yet but hopefully in a new OTA update? What about the 4G connection? Do you have to subscribe? Is it free the first year?

[@Spirit-np8un]

The 4G connection is freely included during the whole life of the car !

[@Joseph-jy5lz]

Nice looking car. Pity the designers went to the screen to adjust things because that just over complicates things. Nice review overall as usual. Keep up the good work

[@jeffm1971]

I ordered a Renault Megane E tech recently on Motability, The Smart #1 isn't available but I must say I'm mighty impressed by what I see, kind of reminds me of the Space X comand module looking at the inside 😂

[@MyWorld777]

Just buyed❤

[@lisadefries6718]

I have 2017 petrol smart . Every smart I have owned has been great in different ways. They are great in urban areas they can be parked effortlessly and they can turn on a penny. Downside each generation has got bigger and slightly more gas guzzle. My first two smarts fit in my 1980s garage perfectly with zero effort my 2017 smart I can drive into garage but it is extremely tricky to get out without damaging the doors.. I blame the Americans when smart decided to sell in USA the car got made larger. On plus side it did get a much better gear box but I kinda liked the old one yes it had its quirks but when you took your foot off the accelerator it didn’t have any creep. Well I want an EV have wanted one for years partly why I bought my first smart to have less impact on environment. I never quite understood in past why people so obsessed by petrol prices as my smarts used very little 😂 but the smart 2017 in petrol is certainly no longer modern. Fun to drive and solid and well built but it lacks a certain something. Like all motorists I have experienced the atrocious deterioration of our roads which is especially apparent in a classic smart car. It never was an issue but in last 8 years it’s got worse and worse. So solution maybe a hashtag 1 very expensive but it looks and sounds great. Thanks for your review but part of me still disappointed I never got round to owning a brand new smart eq it wasn’t till today I even knew they stopped making them in April 2023 😮

[@trevorheley1045]

Another good detailed review. I would have like to have seen the rear seats down so i could see how big the boot space would then be. Can find out though so not a problem

[@SpottedCreeper]

Agreed - just a quick 30 seconds to show the seats going down would have been useful

[@mdavid200ify]

An interesting vehicle but the Smart UK website is bad enough to almost completely kill that interest. Here is what it says about maintenance: "Our Integrated Service Package (ISP) is included with every vehicle. This includes maintenance, MOT and vehicle wear & tear items for 3 years or 30,000 miles. On top of the statutory warranty of 2 years, the ISP provides an additional 1 year of warrany (sic) (3 years in total: 2 years statutory + 1 year additional) with unlimited mileage." I have no idea what this is offering.

[@briertonp]

Great review! I’ve been so impressed I’ve booked a test drive tomorrow in the Premium model 😊

[@garyanderson-smith9049]

WOW! What a well designed car! It is perfect for me! Give it a LIFT KIT (for soft 4x4 off roading on the Beach and Sand Dunes) it will replace my Tiguan 103TDI Pacific beautifully. As a retired 70+ single dude who takes his 2 dogs to the Beach and Dunes 3 times a week for a 15km walk( dogs chasing Sea Gulls), the #1 awd will be perfect. It will also be a perfect car for my daughter to learn to drive in, she says it looks "So Cute & WICKED".

[@jameschapman4824]

Good review again. However with a boot space , if you can call it space, little bigger then my wife's handbag, this can never be called a "family car" IMHO.

[@微微-m3h]

我已经拥有它了，非常好开。在市区代步或者短途旅行，现在已经不愿意开汽油车了。😂😂😂

[@SteveLoughran]

ironic that they've finally added an oversized bonnet just as engines become obsolete. hopefully it won't oversteer the way their older models had a bit of a bad reputation for. premium price though

[@paulthompson7990]

Love the reviews the #1 is a very interesting car poor boot but apart from that excellent car keep up the good work 😅

[@KimParkerAdcock]

Really good review thank you, I'm test driving this.

[@tarbat]

Surely the closest competitor to the #1 is the Renault Megane, being the same size at 4.2m long.

[@AutoEV]

But the Megane is a C-sector 5 door hatchback, the Smart is a SUV-style crossover like the BYD Atto 3, MG ZS, etc.

[@Spirit-np8un]

And what about the ID3 as a good competitor?

[@Spirit-np8un]

And Megane interior is awfully dark and very narrow. Try to seat at the back you will not stay more than 5mn...Really trust me! But is design is better I must admit.

[@narvuntien]

The Smart #3 is thier hatchback model coming soon

[@AutoEV]

@@Spirit-np8un again, the ID.3 is a C-Sector 5 door hatchback. The #1 is a SUV crossover that competes with the Niro, MG ZS, Atto 3 and Kona.

[@krizndzone]

Any idea when is #1 be available for test drive?

[@markknight6267]

Great review and I’ve become a new subscriber

[@AutoEV]

Welcome aboard! Thank you!

[@judithkitchingman4419]

I have been getting very excited about the prospect of having such an interesting new car, dare I say funky, with light interior, super colours and a modern design. I have at present a Yaris Cross but am getting a full solar array very soon. My husband is getting an Enyaq. I have now been shocked to find I can’t have the lovely light interior (Touch) with most of the nice paint colours😢. I would have to have black white or Matt steely grey. Shock horror. So what else do you think might be out there to come close to the spec and interest of the smart. I hate a sea of black plastic. Xxx

[@HedgeCCL]

Quite late to this channel but I think the presenter is v good. Love the car, a lot.

[@Sheeeerkhan]

Thank you, got yourself a new subscriber 👍🏻☀️🇨🇭

[@bernardhilton3527]

Do we know if the rear seats fold down?

[@garyanderson-smith9049]

Australia needs and wants the Smart #1 4wd

[@shill6449]

£36k (Starting price!) for a car the size of a mini and a boot with the proportions of bread-bin? What really baffles me, is the number of vehicles manufactured in China, South Korea etc - with their attendant low-cost labour rates - sold on the British market at a similar price to a European/British made car? They must be making fortunes!

[@tj2375]

Smart was pretty successful, the stupid decision was to went 100% EV too early. This is just a label on a chinese car and it will destroy the brand.

[@cal_lywal]

Saw this at Fully Charged Live and was really, really impressed. It's priced competitively against the Stellantis crowd and the interior is next-level.

[@MoragDrummond]

I love everything about this car apart from the graphics. I don’t think I could drive with the silly planet in front of me. Plus I’m not very dexterous so I’d want to talk to the car to change things, but if I got rid of the planet by running CarPlay, can I still speak to the car to change the aircon?

[@AutoEV]

I didn’t try that, but I would expect so. Most voice activation systems work when CarPlay is working.

[@lisadefries6718]

Love little fox anyway it voice control one assumes that’s because all drivers supposed to have their eyes on road

[@nealy2815]

Good review. Where is this car manufactured?

[@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834]

apart from the home screen, which is silly, very nice small car with proper range....

[@milesyounghamilton]

What is the read across to the EX30 given they are on the same platform? EX30 is much better styled in my opinion

[@kramer9929]

But can you save all of the settings for mirrors etc into a profile?What about the turning circle?

[@Roobubba]

When we test drove one a few days ago, it automatically asked if we wanted to save the changes made to mirrors, seats, etc to the existing profile or as a new profile. What I don't know and wish I had asked was whether *all* the settings are saveable in the profile, but I guess I'll find out when it arrives (hopefully in about a month...!)

[@narvuntien]

Its #3 that I am more excited for but it seems its a bit too expensive, definitely in the small luxury car market rather than the mass market car

[@lisadefries6718]

Compared to previous smart it’s obviously a huge price leap but it’s a different car entirely. I love it. I have owned 3 smarts . Price is an issue for me but will check out agility details . I have done a little bit of research and it seems that many of the EV cars that have a similar range all are priced at a similar level. I think range of these vehicles more important than one might think. U.K. has poor infrastructure outside cities compared to Europe so having a decent range gives one a more relaxed experience when driving an EV. Beautiful car . 😊

[@oris247]

I'm pretty sure it's Smart number 1. Not convinced it's hashtag 1 !!😂

[@AutoEV]

It’s “Hashtag” One. Trust me…..

[@oris247]

@@AutoEV wow, what a marketing blunder that is. Thanks for replying. Always enjoy your reviews.

[@brucegraham8425]

Ex30 which shares much hardware with smart#1 has much stronger appeal to me.

[@RedBatteryHead]

Are those cars getting bigger or are you getting smaller 😂 Like the #1.

[@AutoEV]

Age comes to us all……. I’m like Benjamin Button!

[@Paulo-ov4yo]

Silly prices

[@Joe-lb8qn]

Ive been looking at the ex30 which seems to me preferable but my impression of this is it's too expensive for the size range and competition. Its also fugly which i appreciate is a subjective thing but in this case ill go out on a limb and say nope, its just plain horrible looking.

[@colinrenfrew48]

The new EX30 makes this car look less than.

[@Displays.1234.]

Very much looks like they have completely given up, with a cheap tacky looking interior, glossy scratchy plastic and a horrible large centre console, no proper buttons on knobs for the important things like heating, And a children's like tablet OS, and poor range, anything but smart.....

[@Thhhggggghh]

I’m a multi 💸 billionaire 😊

[@bluebear6570]

Is it a Volkswagen? Is it a Kia? Is it a ? Well, what is it? This thing has no "brand" face, its design is bland, the center console ridiculous and it is totally overpriced. A car no one needs.

[@reefermark5298]

for the price of it they have decided they dont want to sell many it looks very boring inside and ugly out most ev will sell many more then this has the designer got the hump with the manufactor

[@johnhodge1263]

Why is the interior camera mounted 1 mile behind drivers seat ??? Social covid restrictions???🤣

[@AutoEV]

The tripod is on the rear seat, and I need to get a wide enough shot to get myself and the whole dash in.

[@alexfoo8380]

Too long bro

[@st20-c4w]

best seller💇💇