Verdict
The RM40,000 gap buys a second motor, all-wheel drive and a sizeable leap from 268 hp/343 Nm to 422 hp/543 Nm, cutting the 0-100 km/h time from 5.8 to 3.7 seconds. That is serious extra pace, but the Brabus gives up 40 km of quoted range and raises annual road tax from RM260 to RM615. Both retain the same 66 kWh battery, 150 kW DC charging and extensive cabin kit. For most Malaysian buyers, the Premium is the better-balanced choice; choose the Brabus for its performance.
Pick the smart #3 Premium if 455 km of range, RM260 annual road tax and a RM215,000 entry price matter more than a 3.7-second sprint.
Pick the smart #3 Brabus if you will use its 422 hp, 543 Nm, all-wheel drive and sport suspension enough to justify RM255,000.
Key differences
- Price: RM215,000 for the Premium versus RM255,000 for the Brabus.
- Motors and output: one motor, 268 hp and 343 Nm for the Premium versus two motors, 422 hp and 543 Nm for the Brabus.
- Driveline and acceleration: rear-wheel drive and 0-100 km/h in 5.8 seconds versus all-wheel drive and 3.7 seconds.
- Range: 455 km for the Premium versus 415 km for the Brabus, both with a 66 kWh battery.
- Wheels and suspension: 19-inch Torque alloys with standard suspension versus 20-inch Synchro alloys with sport suspension.
- Annual road tax: RM260 for the Premium versus RM615 for the Brabus.
Premium
- 455 km quoted EV range, 40 km more than the Brabus.
- RM40,000 less to buy.
- RM260 annual road tax.
- 268 hp and 343 Nm trail the Brabus' 422 hp and 543 Nm.
- Rear-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive.
- 0-100 km/h takes 5.8 seconds, versus 3.7 seconds.
Brabus
- Two motors deliver 422 hp and 543 Nm.
- All-wheel drive and a 3.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 20-inch wheels and sport suspension.
- Costs RM40,000 more than the Premium.
- 415 km quoted range is 40 km shorter.
- RM615 annual road tax is RM355 higher.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM215,000✓ | RM255,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM260✓ | RM615 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 268 hp | 422 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 343 Nm | 543 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 66 kWh | 66 kWh |
| EV Range | 455 km✓ | 415 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 150 kW | 150 kW |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | 3.3 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) |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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.
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Premium vs Brabus FAQ
Is the smart #3 Premium or smart #3 Brabus better?
The smart #3 Premium is better for most buyers because it costs less, has 455 km of range and lower road tax. The Brabus is better only if its 422 hp, all-wheel drive and 3.7-second 0-100 km/h time are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The smart #3 Brabus costs RM40,000 more than the smart #3 Premium: RM255,000 versus RM215,000.
Why does the smart #3 Brabus have less range?
The Brabus is rated for 415 km, against 455 km for the Premium, despite both using a 66 kWh battery. Its two-motor all-wheel-drive system, higher outputs and 20-inch wheels accompany the shorter quoted range.