smart #3 Premium vs Brabus
Verdict
Here, the RM40,000 jump is almost entirely a performance and traction call. The smart #3 Premium already gets the same 66.0 kWh battery, 4,400 mm body, 370-litre boot, seven airbags and 180 km/h top speed, while going further at 455 km. The Brabus adds a second motor, AWD and a serious 422 hp punch, cutting 0-100 km/h from 5.8 to 3.7 seconds, but range drops to 415 km and annual road tax rises to RM615. For most daily Malaysian use, Premium is the calmer buy.
Pick the smart #3 Premium if you want the longer range, lower running cost and the same size, boot and battery for less money.
Pick the smart #3 Brabus if you want dual-motor AWD and 3.7-second acceleration badly enough to accept less range and higher road tax.
Key differences
- Price: smart #3 Premium RM215,000; smart #3 Brabus RM255,000
- Motor and drive: smart #3 Premium single motor, RWD; smart #3 Brabus dual motor, AWD
- Power: smart #3 Premium 268 hp; smart #3 Brabus 422 hp
- 0-100 km/h: smart #3 Premium 5.8 seconds; smart #3 Brabus 3.7 seconds
- EV range: smart #3 Premium 455 km; smart #3 Brabus 415 km
- Road tax per year: smart #3 Premium RM260; smart #3 Brabus RM615
Premium
- Longer 455 km EV range
- Lower RM260 annual road tax
- Same 66.0 kWh battery and 370-litre boot
- Much less power than the Brabus
- Rear-wheel drive only
- Slower 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time
Brabus
- Strong 422 hp output
- Dual-motor all-wheel drive
- Very quick 3.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- Shorter 415 km EV range
- Higher RM615 annual road tax
- Costs RM40,000 more
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 215,000✓ | RM 255,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 268 hp | 422 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 343 Nm | 543 Nm✓ |
| Battery Type | Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) | Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) |
| Battery Capacity | 66 kWh | 66 kWh |
| EV Range | 455 km✓ | 415 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | 22 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | CCS | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 150 kW | 150 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.8 seconds | 3.7 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,400 mm | 4,400 mm |
| Width | 1,844 mm | 1,844 mm |
| Height | 1,556 mm | 1,556 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,785 mm | 2,785 mm |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 370 litres | 370 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 245/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 245/40R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 060 | Continental EcoContact 6 Q |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Torque Alloy Wheels | 20" Synchro Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Torque Alloy Wheels | 20" Synchro Alloy Wheels |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Sport Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available On Front Passenger Seat, Rear Outer Seats | Available On Front Passenger Seat, Rear Outer Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Front and Rear | Yes, Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Manual Levelling | LED Reflector with Manual Levelling |
| Taillamps | LED | LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Manual Sunshade for Glass Roof | Manual Sunshade for Glass Roof |
| Audio | 12.8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 13-speaker Beats EQ Sound System | 12.8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 13-speaker Beats EQ Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Yes, Powered | Yes, Powered |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, With 360-degree Camera | Yes, With 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty | 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 260✓ | RM 615 |
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 #3 Premium or smart #3 Brabus better?
The smart #3 Premium is the better buy for most drivers because it has the same battery, size, boot space and safety count, plus 455 km range. The smart #3 Brabus is better only if you prioritise AWD and 3.7-second acceleration.
What is the price difference?
The smart #3 Premium costs RM215,000, while the smart #3 Brabus costs RM255,000. That makes the Brabus RM40,000 more expensive.
Do the smart #3 Premium and smart #3 Brabus have the same battery and boot space?
Yes. Both use a 66.0 kWh battery and both have 370 litres of boot space. The key mechanical difference is that the Premium is single-motor RWD, while the Brabus is dual-motor AWD.