We were definitely excited to grab the opportunity in spending time with this small looking EV from Smart. The one that we got was the Premium variant which is the go-to model when it comes to full practicality for it’s daily use. The car was launched around November last year, and it was done in a stylish way as if you’re watching a runway show by top models. Although some of you readers might think it is a small car, but it actually quite roomy for a B-Segment car within the range of compact SUV if you may call it.

THE GOOD

Let us begin with all the good things. The Smart #1 comes in 3 different variant, with Premium being the standard version while Pro being the entry level and the performance or flagship variant would be the Brabus edition. The one we had was the premium variant and it came with a reasonably priced package of RM219,000 give or take some minor adjustment for accessories or any other upgrades you may want from it’s base offering and the insurance you’ll have to cover. The good thing is, the #1 is a reasonably priced car considering the loads of thing you’ll get as a standard with it. Not to say that is affordable for everybody, definitely the target group of customers won’t be coming from just another average joe; but it does stands as an attractive product for those with mid to high income.

Moving on with the other good things that we enjoy about the Smart #1 is definitely the car’s driving dynamics. It really gave us a pleasurable experience moving the car around through the bends and the car was very much lively with the single unit motor powering the rear wheel to drive it. The shared base with Lotus Eletre and Volvo EX30 makes the car very well behaved even with loads on board. Not like we’re pushing it to the max, but under the circumstance of city driving and some spirited driving through the hilly part of backroads near our base; gave us the impression that the car is more than ready to tackle the Malaysian terrain. That brought us a question of how well it utilize the energy from it’s batter.

The car remains familiar as a car should be. You don’t feel awkward or overwhelmed by the system it presents especially for those who are kind of new to the whole EV thingy. The Smart #1 offers a very fun user experience when it comes to the driver’s perspective and it works well for the passengers too. Comfortability is not a question here as it fits all the adult you need in a basic 4 seater arrangement or 5 person if you’re willing to endure it in the journey. You got all that you need as expected from a car from this era and what adds up to all of this Smart experience is those huge panoramic sunroof above your head. But what we mention here is not really what captures our attention as it is more of a need rather than a luxury to have all the basic necessity for a car of this price-point. The Smart #1 with it’s Beats audio system and a very cool interactive IHU gave you a sense of being in an extension of a gadget that you might have used before. This really felt natural to us and that is where we find the final most loveable point of this car.

The Smart ecosystem with its apps and the car itself, gives the driver a boost of confident when it comes to driving a fully electric car. This confident inspiring integration gives a huge plus point for the car as it makes your life easier and much hassle free in the operation of the car. Definitely, this is not really a big deal if you’re used to your EV if you so happen to own a different brand. But when it comes to how friendly it is for a new owner or just a first time drive; this surely helps and can be an additional factor to make your purchase decision. We would assume, those who are looking into an EV car should be a first time user and they’re most probably already a tech-savvy kind of individual. Therefore, to learn and master the ecosystem of the Smart #1 shouldn’t be much of an issue.

Now that we’ve touched most of our positive points about the car, it is normal that we will switch to the things that aren’t too likeable. But this where “managing your expectations” comes to play; especially for us in the motoring journalism segment. The Smart #1 shouldn’t worry too much on their fairly new car in the market as they have been away from most of our radar for quite some time.

THE BAD

The looks of the car. It is not an ugly car and its certainly is not disproportionate or anything. But the Smart #1 have that kind of face where it is easily forgettable after some time. It doesn’t plant it’s image as well as some other car out there. The design is pretty feminine and not that we have anything against feminine looks, in fact we rather prefer a pretty or beautiful face too look at, but the Smart #1 is just not a memorable type of feminine. The curvy design and it’s resemblance to other cars just made it not so easily likeable right at the get go. We don’t have an official report or numbers yet for the car sales and demographic, but we would assume the majority interest of the car must be of those who has higher tolerance to a soft look for their car.

Apart from the looks, we can safely say that the car does not speaks to the masses through its product positioning. It is understandable for the price point to not be in the limelight of the many, but it has to work itself into the mind of many in different ways. If the looks can’t be utilized as their main weapon to speak it’s strength, the brand has to be creative in approaching other angles of communication to really have a place within people’s mind. The Smart #1 suffers from lacking in terms of lovable brand traits that gets people to keep talking about it and in the current situation, they have to be able to do that and consistently reminding the audience of their existence.

Their journey is still early and the brand launched through it’s entry level product or should we say it’s debut product. The job were well executed but it wasn’t creating the right hype to get us glued to know more about it in the coming future. It will be unfortunate if the Smart #1 becomes just another EV being introduced here in Malaysia as it does have a very good product offering. We hope there will be more huge brand campaign to come from their end and we are sure, the right effort will get their raving fans to talk more about it in the future. For us at Drivin On, we recommend you to come down to their showroom and experience the Smart hospitality while indulging yourself into the ecosystem it promises.

Watch our film review of the Smart #1 here: