2025 Smart #1 review

[@disegno10]

I have owned it for a year and a half and it is fabulous

[@colin5373]

Thanks

[@therightcar]

Thank you mate!

[@CarlosTorres-rq8rx]

I´ve been driving the #1 since September 2023 and love the vehicle. The screen does take some getting used to, but you set up a driver profile at the begining, which holds your driver-assist preferences and you don´t have to use those multiple screens ever again or rarely. I find myself just using a couple of screens on a daily basis, making it much easier to navigate. There is also an E-pedal setting, which I use and love, that will bring the car to a full stop at intersections without using the break. Great review.

[@adembakan]

I think the Byd atto 3 is another compelling option

[@therightcar]

True. It’s not as fun as this or the others I mentioned when it comes to the driving dynamics. But it’s a solid choice for a commuter car.

[@teslabot6517]

Too expensive for its own good.

[@therightcar]

Shame, but it’s probably true.

[@titarodrigues863]

In europe, the you're going too fast sound is mandatory... I have the premium version and a normal eficency of 14,7. Range in city is almost 500 km. It's a great car.

[@therightcar]

I know the alert is a legal thing but it’s one of the dumbest legislative decisions in history.

[@Steve-jx3mh]

We looked at one of these and quite liked it. But it felt like it was designed for the newer generations who would love it. My kids absolutely loved it. I agree that the screen is a bit over the top. But will they make it in australia and if they dont will cost of parts etc cost a fortune in the future. In general its a great package

[@therightcar]

The package is good but the liveability points are a big issue for someone my age (40).

[@chaABCDEFG]

There is one pedal driving, it's a separate setting in the menu called s-pedal. The safety systems are annoying but very easy to switch off using the driver setup button (swipe down and 1 button) which you can save exactly which system you want on/off by driver profile.

[@therightcar]

If that means you can save a profile that will PERMANENTLY disable the systems, I will do an apology video.

[@chaABCDEFG]

@therightcar definitely not permanent, but it makes it much easier to disable the settings compared to other cars with similar annoying safety features. And also nothing to apologise about, the fact that you couldn't find these settings emphasize the UI being not super user friendly, I just wanted to add my 2 cents for those who might be interested to know.

[@therightcar]

It’s still rubbish then. 🤣

[@GolLeeMe]

For a small car I don’t think the starting price is that appealing, crossover or not.

[@therightcar]

Yeah okay. Fair call.

[@GolLeeMe]

@ I don’t mean to sound negative, but how are young couples supposed to afford this? More likely well heeled retiree empty nesters with some cash to splash. It’s made in China by Geely isn’t it, so why is it so expensive?

[@therightcar]

Because Geely itself is coming and will offer a $45k medium SUV here very soon. It’s all about branding and perception.

[@GabrielA-nf7vz]

I’d probably go for any of the alternatives you’ve mentioned over this one, but still very intriguing. For the minute will just stick to my model 3 but I am always curious to see what the next upgrade could be. 😊

[@therightcar]

Well, there’s plenty more options coming. Deepal, Xpeng and Leapmotor reviews in the next few weeks!

[@GabrielA-nf7vz]

@@therightcar can’t wait! Thanks! Exciting!

[@stephenwhitworth7701]

Thanks for your honesty Matt. I test drove a competitor and came away with exactly the same mindset re the poorly calibrated safety systems. I did not buy that car and for much the same reason there won't be a Smart in my garage. Why is it that some manufacturers can do it so well and one with part Benz ownership (renowned in the past for the quality of their safety systems), get it so horribly wrong.

[@therightcar]

Thanks for the comment - I wonder the same thing!

[@jimbrear6636]

No spare wheel is certainly limiting the options for regional buyers. Kona is about it.

[@therightcar]

Yep, or Chery Omoda E5.

[@watataenjoyer]

Thats just gonna eat bootspace in its useless boot

[@jimbrear6636]

@@watataenjoyer Absolutely. In the Aussie bush every car needs a spare wheel. Not worth the risk to not have one. In one of the KZbins about the the Smart release last year they drove from Brisbane to Byron (I think) and lost one along the way due to a flat tire.

[@jimbrear6636]

@@therightcar Thanks for the great no bullshit reviews. I could not remember the Omada's name.

[@simonmanners4108]

I actually like the look of it, shame it has NMC battery chemistry. I would say it’s overpriced but if the build quality is top notch then maybe but it’s so hard to tell.

[@marcusgeorge1825]

Nice one Matt. Thank you. From my perspective, if you need cameras to park such a small car then you possibly shouldn’t be driving in the first place. Bing bongs need to go. If ANCAP are really interested in driver safety then get rid of these and mandate advanced driving courses!

[@therightcar]

I hear you. Better driver education would be a smarter move in saving lives. This ADAS nonsense isn’t helping.

[@marcusgeorge1825]

@ I’d love the opportunity to be able to have a frank discussion with the idiots behind why we now have systems that do the exact opposite when it comes to driver attention and safety. Surely by now with all the negative feedback from these bing bongs that it needs to change when we all basically turn them off each time you get in your car. Ken Bruce has gone completely mad!

[@Maddo_75]

Xpeng G6 for the win

[@01Damian]

My default option with these small EVs is the Megane. But this thing was better than I thought it would be and objectively it's got more stuff for the money. But then the Zeekr is the same thing and probably better. And that service cost. Wow. Nah I'll stick with the Megane. Might actually do something this year too lol.

[@therightcar]

Love the Megane. It’s a honey.

[@harryrose6254]

Agree

[@jeppo1185]

The price is too high for every model!

[@therightcar]

Yep, it’s over the odds.

[@terrencecondylios4432]

At 50 % discount it’s still too expensive. Only a matter of time before it goes to the wall.

[@therightcar]

Ouch.

[@waruswaller1580]

It looks very similar to Geely starwish(Xiaolong).

[@therightcar]

Probably twins under the skin?

[@tomskellern6128]

I remember the Holden volt.

[@therightcar]

You’re cool.

[@jonathanfgh1]

The only thing I like about the SMART #1 is the Fox avatar on the home screen the rest of the screen layout is a bit of a mess ..... A non opening sun roof in OZ ! This has to be a major mistake. The SMART #1 is - Overpriced, Under styled and now over here, next please ..... (I'll have the Zeekr X instead).

[@therightcar]

Fair points.

[@Matt-vq8jz]

I’m yet to see one of these on the road yet, in the wild. Anyone buying them? Or bargain sale to come?

[@therightcar]

Could be a bargain in the making.

[@ten3353]

have seen the Brabus model on the road, just before Xmas in Qld. looks better in real life than on video, photos.

[@Matt-vq8jz]

@@therightcar agreed! Time will tell.

[@tonytomassoni1973]

Overpriced Ev with bland looks no thanks

[@therightcar]

I don’t think it’s bland!

[@andrewwhittaker43]

That’s ok as long as we don’t have to subsidize your power bill when vehicle grid comes into play

[@sternwho3932]

Should be called smart ass

[@therightcar]

Rude.

[@GeorgeW-g5j]

I have a BYD Dolphin. Very similar in size, performance and features. However $10-15k cheaper, LFP battery, more efficient at 14.8kwh/100km. Latest software version is great, safety features can be permanently turned off and are not intrusive. Seats are better as well. Smart does have rear wheel drive and faster charging. Otherwise this is a non starter. You should have included the Dolphin as a better option. 😂

[@mrnicktoyou]

I wonder if someone hacked the system and removed all the safety warnings (which would drive me crazy too) and if it would be deemed illegal?

[@therightcar]

I wonder that about a lot of these new annoying cars. Like, there’s a side hustle innit…

[@AHC4675]

Ancap ratings aren’t worth the paper their written on. The bings and bongs are more distracting than using a mobile phone and should be able to be permanently turned off by the owner if they want. For me It would be a deal breaker if this tech can’t be turned off.

[@therightcar]

I agree. Euro NCAP / ANCAP is ruining good cars.

[@tonywright8342]

You couldn’t give me one. No thank you.

[@therightcar]

Hahah

[@rogersmith5371]

I would not pay $2500 for a service which was the figure shown on the screen. It is exorbitant! So for me that is a NO

[@therightcar]

It’s for the first few services.

[@rogersmith5371]

@@therightcar Yes I understand that but it is still well beyond what any other maker charges and when you consider an EV has a lot less moving parts and much of service is checking things rather than actually repairing or replacing them it is still a lot.

[@amon5124]

I think the infotainment display is pretty cool, smart and less boring.

[@therightcar]

Okay, but you won’t when you try and live with it.

[@patricepnc]

safety systems can be deactivated with one push, so don't know why you insist so much in the footage. In addition, unlike what you say this car has a one pedal mode, with full stop. You just need to activate it..nice review anyway. Wonder how smart will be doing in Australia, whether it benefits from mercedes network. In China, not doing so well with only 30 000 cars sold in 2024, in other markets, such as Germany - in a sharp EV downturn -not doing so bad with 13 000 car sold. the brand will not survive at that sales range over the medium term, so interesting to see how they plan to roll out other cars such as #5 and potentially #2. Geely group may have to to some restructuring in the group with so many brands selling same kind of EVs , and I also wonder about Mercedes support which is also facing difficulties in its main markets. So far, it seems that the Mercedes branding and retail network has not given a strong push to sales, could be that that the brand has another DNA and not fit to old smart customers.

[@therightcar]

Disabled… every time you drive the car.

[@badimpulses17]

Make 2 door version

[@therightcar]

Get out the reciprocating saw!!

[@watataenjoyer]

Very rare 22kw ac charging

[@kieronimo1]

Hashtag means 'number'. This car is the 'Smart Number One'

[@therightcar]

No. It’s the smart hashtag one.

[@kieronimo1]

@@therightcar Call it what you want, Dave. I call it the smart number one.

[@ten3353]

The Smart #1 (stylised as "smart #1") developed and produced by Smart Automobile, a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz Group and Geely Holding. Smart Automobile has officially named the model release as “smart hashtag one”, there is audio of it, on their own media channel. Of course, you can use whatever name you want… up to you… but, the company’s marketing team have released the product as earlier stated. 😅😊🤷🏻‍♂️!

[@kieronimo1]

@@ten3353 hashtag does mean on though

[@therightcar]

Who is Dave?

[@jdn8884]

Why the grumpy face in all of your videos?

[@therightcar]

Gets more clicks

[@markward573]

60k jeebus

[@therightcar]

Ha!

[@belhamel76]

Affordable?! Really?

[@therightcar]

Well it could have come in at $60k.

[@belhamel76]

@therightcar read the comments. Journo's idea of affordable is not the same as consumers'.

[@TheronDragoon]

# isnt a hashtag, its a hash. A hashtag is something tagged with a hash. Surely the car isnt called a "Hashtag One" Its a "Hash One" right? Surely they wouldnt be that moronic would they?

[@therightcar]

It’s a smart hashtag one. www.theautopian.com/the-smart-1-is-literally-pronounced-smart-hashtag-one-which-is-a-shame-because-it-seems-cool/

[@TheronDragoon]

The world becomes a dumber place every day 😂

[@ten3353]

the name of the car is “smart hashtag one”. it’s a reference to how one uses the “#” symbol to initiate a search on social media/internet/smart devices…. as in, we might use “#newcars” to look up new cars on twitter/X to initiate a search for references to new cars. thus, the smart car company has adopted the naming convention “hashtag one” for this vehicle. love it or hate it, that’s what it is. 😂🤷🏻‍♂️

[@harderos3]

Very uncompetitive and undesirable.

[@ingmarm8858]

The user interface looks like it was designed by a vision impaired 14 year old girl.

[@Funfare454]

Is this car vegan?

[@therightcar]

It eats purely manmade electrons.

[@buncha5651]

Just another 💩 overpriced EV. It's not Smart enough to have a spare wheel. And you would not be too Smart to pay that price, actually Dumb is what I'd say.If I was stupid enough to buy an EV, it would be an MG 4. But no spare wheel, no deal.😊

[@therightcar]

Hahaha you need to get into an E5 Omoda then. Or a Kona EV.

[@Greg-k4j]

I managed three minutes, I think it’s idiotic with all its chintzy stuff.

[@katiecannon8186]

We don’t get any of these vehicles in the U.S. For this reason, I’d buy any of them. But we’re not allowed to have cool smaller vehicles 🥹

[@GeorgeW-g5j]

I have a BYD Dolphin. Very similar in size, performance and features. However $10-15k cheaper, LFP battery, more efficient at 14.8kwh/100km. Latest software version is great, safety features can be permanently turned off and are not intrusive. Seats are better as well. Smart does have rear wheel drive and faster charging. Otherwise this is a non starter. You should have included the Dolphin as a better option. 😂

[@therightcar]

I think you’re onto something, but the Dolphin isn’t appealing to the same customer who’s thinking they might spend $50K plus.