Car Buyer's Guide

smart #3 vs smart #1

smart #3

smart #3

smart #1

smart #1

Verdict

At RM175,000, the smart #3 costs RM6,000 more than the RM169,000 smart #1, but brings a 325 km range, 22 kW AC charging and a 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time against 315 km, 7.2 kW and 6.7 seconds. That is meaningful if home or destination charging can exploit 22 kW. The #1 is the more practical shape: its 411-litre boot beats the #3’s 370 litres, and it is 130 mm shorter for tighter Malaysian parking. Both retain the same 268 hp, 343 Nm rear motor, 49 kWh battery and 150 kW DC charging.

#3

Pick the smart #3 if faster 22 kW AC charging, a 0.9-second quicker sprint and 10 km more quoted range justify RM6,000 and a smaller boot.

#1

Pick the smart #1 if you want the lower entry price, a 411-litre boot and a shorter 4,270 mm body without giving up 268 hp or 150 kW DC charging.

Key differences

  • Price: smart #3 RM175,000; smart #1 RM169,000.
  • EV range: smart #3 325 km; smart #1 315 km.
  • AC charging: smart #3 22 kW; smart #1 7.2 kW.
  • 0-100 km/h: smart #3 5.8 seconds; smart #1 6.7 seconds.
  • Length and boot space: smart #3 4,400 mm and 370 litres; smart #1 4,270 mm and 411 litres.
  • Height: smart #3 1,556 mm; smart #1 1,636 mm.

#3

  • 22 kW AC charging versus 7.2 kW.
  • 325 km quoted range and 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time.
  • Front and rear parking sensors, plus alarm and immobilizer.
  • 370-litre boot is 41 litres smaller.
  • RM6,000 dearer.
  • 4,400 mm length is 130 mm longer.

#1

  • RM169,000 entry price.
  • 411-litre boot in a 4,270 mm body.
  • Dual-zone climate control, sliding rear seats and 64-colour ambient lighting.
  • 7.2 kW AC charging trails the #3’s 22 kW.
  • 315 km range is 10 km lower.
  • 0-100 km/h takes 6.7 seconds, 0.9 seconds behind the #3.
Price & overview
PriceRM175,000RM169,000✓
Body typeSUVSUV
SegmentC-SegmentC-Segment
AssemblyCBUCBU
Ownership
Road tax / yearRM260RM260
Powertrain
Engine Tech400V architecture400V architecture
FuelElectricElectric
Number of Motors11
Motor Horsepower268 hp268 hp
Motor Torque343 Nm343 Nm
Battery Capacity49 kWh49 kWh
EV Range325 km✓315 km
Charging Rate (AC)22 kW✓7.2 kW
Charging Rate (DC)150 kW150 kW
V2L3.3 kW3.3 kW
Drivetrain
TransmissionSingle Ratio AutomaticSingle Ratio Automatic
DrivelineRear Wheel DriveRear Wheel Drive
Performance & Efficiency
0-100 km/h5.8 seconds✓6.7 seconds
Top Speed180 km/h180 km/h
Dimensions
Length4,400 mm4,270 mm
Width1,844 mm1,822 mm
Height1,556 mm1,636 mm
Wheelbase2,785 mm2,750 mm
Weight—1,780 kg
Doors55
Seats55
Boot Space370 litres411 litres✓
Front Tyre245/45R19235/45R19
Rear Tyre245/45R19235/45R19
Factory TyresDunlop SP Sport Maxx 060Continental EcoContact 6 Q
Chassis
AssemblyChina (CBU)China (CBU)
Front SuspensionMacPherson StrutsMacPherson Struts
Rear SuspensionMulti-linkMulti-link
Front Wheels19" Flux Alloy Wheels19" Amps Alloy Wheels
Rear Wheels19" Flux Alloy Wheels19" Amps Alloy Wheels
SteeringRack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)
Chassis Notes—Comfort Suspension
Crash Safety Ratings
EuroNCAP—5 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✓✓
Alarm✓—
Immobilizer✓—
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 Notes—Door Opening Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition, Auto High Beam,
Lighting
HeadlampsLED Reflector with Manual LevellingLED Reflector with Manual Levelling
TaillampsLEDLED
LED Daytime Running Lights✓✓
Rear Foglamps✓✓
Wing Mirror Turn Indicators✓✓
Cabin
Front SeatsDriver and Passenger Powered Seats10-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory Function, Powered Front Passenger's Seat
Rear Seats60:40 Split-folding60:40 Split-fold with Sliding Adjustment
Front Air-conSingle-zone Automatic Climate ControlDual-zone Automatic Climate Control
Rear Air-conRear AC VentsRear AC Vents
SunroofPanoramic Glass RoofPanoramic Glass Roof
Power Sockets1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear, 1 Wireless Charger1 Front, 3 USB-C, 1 USB-A, Qi Wireless Charger
Interior LightingMap Lights & Ambient LightingMap Lights, 64-colour Ambient Lighting
Cup Holders2 Front, 2 Rear2 Front, 2 Rear
Sun ShadeManual Sunshade for Glass RoofYes
Audio12.8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto12.8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
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 ControlAdaptive Cruise Control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist
Steering Audio Control✓✓
Steering Tilt✓✓
Steering Telescopic✓✓
Boot OperationYes, PoweredYes, Powered
Parking Sensor Front4 Sensors—
Parking Sensor Rear4 Sensors—
Reverse CameraYes, With 360-degree CameraYes, With 360-degree Camera
Auto ParkingYesYes
Folding Wing Mirrors✓✓
Bluetooth✓✓
Navigation✓✓
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.

#3 vs #1 FAQ

Is the smart #3 or smart #1 better?

The smart #3 is better for 22 kW AC charging, 325 km range and quicker acceleration. The smart #1 is better for luggage space and lower purchase cost, with a 411-litre boot and RM6,000 saving.

What is the price difference?

The smart #3 costs RM175,000 and the smart #1 costs RM169,000, so the gap is RM6,000.

Which smart charges faster at AC chargers?

The smart #3 does. Its 22 kW AC charging rating is more than three times the smart #1’s 7.2 kW rating. Both are rated for 150 kW DC charging.

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