Car Buyer's Guide

smart #1 Premium vs Brabus

smart #1 Premium

smart #1 Premium

smart #1 Brabus

smart #1 Brabus

Verdict

For RM40,000 less, the smart #1 Premium delivers 440 km of range from the same 66 kWh battery and the same 22 kW AC/150 kW DC charging hardware as the Brabus. Its 268 hp, 343 Nm rear-drive layout still reaches 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds, while matching the Brabus on cabin equipment and driver assistance. The RM249,000 Brabus cuts that sprint to 3.9 seconds with 422 hp, 543 Nm and all-wheel drive, but gives up 40 km of claimed range and raises annual road tax from RM260 to RM615. For most Malaysian buyers, Premium is the sensible pick; Brabus is for outright pace.

Premium

Pick the smart #1 Premium if you want the longer 440 km range and near-identical equipment while saving RM40,000.

Brabus

Pick the smart #1 Brabus if 422 hp, 543 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time matter more than the extra cost and 40 km range loss.

Key differences

  • Price: smart #1 Premium RM209,000; smart #1 Brabus RM249,000.
  • Motors and driveline: Premium has one motor and rear-wheel drive; Brabus has two motors and all-wheel drive.
  • Output: Premium makes 268 hp and 343 Nm; Brabus makes 422 hp and 543 Nm.
  • 0-100 km/h: Premium takes 6.7 seconds; Brabus takes 3.9 seconds.
  • EV range: Premium is rated at 440 km; Brabus is rated at 400 km.
  • Annual road tax: Premium costs RM260; Brabus costs RM615.

Premium

  • RM40,000 cheaper to buy.
  • 440 km claimed range, 40 km ahead of the Brabus.
  • Matches the Brabus with a 66 kWh battery, 150 kW DC charging and the same 12.8-inch touchscreen.
  • 268 hp and 343 Nm trail the Brabus' 422 hp and 543 Nm.
  • Rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive.
  • 0-100 km/h takes 6.7 seconds, 2.8 seconds behind the Brabus.

Brabus

  • 422 hp and 543 Nm from its two-motor setup.
  • All-wheel drive.
  • 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
  • Costs RM40,000 more than the Premium.
  • 400 km claimed range is 40 km shorter than the Premium.
  • RM615 annual road tax is RM355 higher than the Premium's RM260.
Price & overview
PriceRM209,000✓RM249,000
Body typeSUVSUV
SegmentC-SegmentC-Segment
AssemblyCBUCBU
Ownership
Road tax / yearRM260✓RM615
Powertrain
Engine Tech400V architecture400V architecture
FuelElectricElectric
Number of Motors12
Motor Horsepower268 hp422 hp✓
Motor Torque343 Nm543 Nm✓
Battery Capacity66 kWh66 kWh
EV Range440 km✓400 km
Charging Rate (AC)22 kW22 kW
Charging Rate (DC)150 kW150 kW
V2L3.3 kW3.3 kW
Drivetrain
TransmissionSingle Ratio AutomaticSingle Ratio Automatic
DrivelineRear Wheel DriveAll Wheel Drive
Performance & Efficiency
0-100 km/h6.7 seconds3.9 seconds✓
Top Speed180 km/h180 km/h
Dimensions
Length4,270 mm4,270 mm
Width1,822 mm1,822 mm
Height1,636 mm1,636 mm
Wheelbase2,750 mm2,750 mm
Weight1,800 kg1,900 kg
Doors55
Seats55
Boot Space411 litres411 litres
Front Tyre235/45R19235/45R19
Rear Tyre235/45R19235/45R19
Factory TyresContinental EcoContact 6 QContinental EcoContact 6 Q
Chassis
AssemblyChina (CBU)China (CBU)
Front SuspensionMacPherson StrutsMacPherson Struts
Rear SuspensionMulti-linkMulti-link
Front Wheels19" Rotor Alloy Wheels19" Dynamo Alloy Wheels
Rear Wheels19" Rotor Alloy Wheels19" Dynamo Alloy Wheels
SteeringRack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)
Chassis NotesComfort SuspensionSport Suspension
Crash Safety Ratings
EuroNCAP5 stars5 stars
Safety
Airbags7 (Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag)7 (Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag)
ABS/EBD✓✓
Stability Control✓✓
Airbag Disable Function✓✓
Child Safety LockManual for Rear DoorsManual for Rear Doors
Seat Belts5 Three-point5 Three-point
Blind Spot Info System✓✓
ISOFIXAvailable On Front Passenger Seat, Rear Outer SeatsAvailable On Front Passenger Seat, Rear Outer Seats
Autonomous Braking SystemYes, Front and RearYes, Front and Rear
Lane-keeping AssistSteering CorrectionSteering Correction
Collision Warning✓✓
Seatbelt ReminderAll SeatsAll Seats
Safety NotesDoor Opening Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition, Auto High Beam,Door Opening Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition, Auto High Beam,
Lighting
HeadlampsLED Projectors with Auto High Beam & Auto LevellingLED Projectors with Auto High Beam & Auto Levelling
TaillampsLEDLED
LED Daytime Running Lights✓✓
Rear Foglamps✓✓
Wing Mirror Turn Indicators✓✓
Cabin
Front Seats10-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory Function, Powered Front Passenger's Seat with Seat Ventilation10-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory Function, Powered Front Passenger's Seat with Seat Ventilation
Rear Seats60:40 Split-fold with Sliding Adjustment60:40 Split-fold with Sliding Adjustment
Front Air-conDual-zone Automatic Climate ControlDual-zone Automatic Climate Control
Rear Air-conRear AC VentsRear AC Vents
SunroofPanoramic Glass RoofPanoramic Glass Roof
Power Sockets1 Front, 3 USB-C, 1 USB-A, Qi Wireless Charger1 Front, 3 USB-C, 1 USB-A, Qi Wireless Charger
Interior LightingMap Lights, 64-colour Extended Ambient LightingMap Lights, 64-colour Extended Ambient Lighting
Cup Holders2 Front, 2 Rear2 Front, 2 Rear
Sun ShadeYesYes
Audio12.8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 13-speaker Beats EQ Sound System12.8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 13-speaker Beats EQ Sound System
Convenience
Power WindowsFour Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti PinchFour Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch
Engine StartKeyless (Depress Brake Pedal)Keyless (Depress Brake Pedal)
LocksKeyless OperationKeyless Operation
Auto Headlamps✓✓
Auto Wipers✓✓
Cruise ControlAdaptive Cruise Control with Highway & Traffic Jam AssistAdaptive Cruise Control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist
Steering Audio Control✓✓
Steering Tilt✓✓
Steering Telescopic✓✓
Boot OperationYes, Powered with Kick SensorYes, Powered with Kick Sensor
Parking Sensor Front4 Sensors4 Sensors
Parking Sensor Rear4 Sensors4 Sensors
Reverse CameraYes, With 360-degree CameraYes, With 360-degree Camera
Auto ParkingYesYes
Folding Wing Mirrors✓✓
Bluetooth✓✓
Navigation✓✓
Head-up Display✓✓
Hill Start Assist✓✓
Instrument ClusterFull LCD MonitorFull LCD Monitor
Parking BrakeElectronicElectronic
Warranty
Warranty Mileage ManufacturerUnlimitedUnlimited
Warranty Manufacturer4 years4 years
Warranty Notes8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty

Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.

Premium vs Brabus FAQ

Is the smart #1 Premium or smart #1 Brabus better?

The Premium is better for most buyers because it costs RM40,000 less, goes 440 km versus 400 km, and shares the same battery capacity, charging rates, safety equipment and cabin features. Choose Brabus only for its 422 hp all-wheel-drive performance.

What is the price difference?

The smart #1 Brabus costs RM249,000, which is RM40,000 more than the RM209,000 smart #1 Premium.

Which smart #1 has the longer range?

The smart #1 Premium has the longer claimed EV range at 440 km. The Brabus is rated at 400 km, despite both using a 66 kWh battery and supporting 22 kW AC and 150 kW DC charging.

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