Car Buyer's Guide

smart #1 Premium vs Brabus

smart #1 Premium

smart #1 Premium

smart #1 Brabus

smart #1 Brabus

Verdict

The smart #1 Premium is the rational Malaysian buy. Its 268 hp, 343 Nm rear motor reaches 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds, while the 66 kWh battery delivers a quoted 440 km range. The Brabus cuts that sprint to 3.9 seconds with 422 hp, 543 Nm and all-wheel drive, but gives up 40 km of range and adds 100 kg. The RM40,000 gap buys serious pace and sport suspension, not extra battery capacity, charging speed or cabin equipment. Unless outright acceleration and AWD matter, take the Premium.

Premium

Pick the smart #1 Premium if you want the longer 440 km quoted range and the same 66 kWh battery, 22 kW AC and 150 kW DC charging for less money.

Brabus

Pick the smart #1 Brabus if 422 hp, 543 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time justify the extra outlay.

Key differences

  • Price: Premium RM209,000; Brabus RM249,000.
  • Motors and driveline: Premium one motor and rear-wheel drive; Brabus two motors and all-wheel drive.
  • Output: Premium 268 hp and 343 Nm; Brabus 422 hp and 543 Nm.
  • 0-100 km/h: Premium 6.7 seconds; Brabus 3.9 seconds.
  • Quoted EV range: Premium 440 km; Brabus 400 km.
  • Road tax and weight: Premium RM260 per year and 1,800 kg; Brabus RM615 per year and 1,900 kg.

Premium

  • 440 km quoted range, 40 km more than the Brabus.
  • RM40,000 lower purchase price and RM355 lower annual road tax.
  • Same 66 kWh battery, 22 kW AC and 150 kW DC charging as the Brabus.
  • Single-motor rear-wheel drive, versus the Brabus' dual-motor all-wheel-drive system.
  • 268 hp, 343 Nm and a 6.7-second 0-100 km/h time trail the Brabus.

Brabus

  • 422 hp and 543 Nm deliver a 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
  • Dual motors bring all-wheel drive.
  • Sport suspension replaces the Premium's comfort suspension.
  • RM40,000 more expensive than the Premium.
  • 400 km quoted range is 40 km shorter despite the same 66 kWh battery.
  • RM615 annual road tax is RM355 higher, and kerb weight rises by 100 kg.
Price & overview
PriceRM209,000RM249,000
Body typeSUVSUV
SegmentC-SegmentC-Segment
AssemblyCBUCBU
Ownership
Road tax / yearRM260RM615
Powertrain
Engine Tech400V architecture400V architecture
FuelElectricElectric
Number of Motors12
Motor Horsepower268 hp422 hp
Motor Torque343 Nm543 Nm
Battery Capacity66 kWh66 kWh
EV Range440 km400 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
AirbagsDriver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee AirbagDriver & 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 Mileage Extended200,000 km200,000 km
Warranty Manufacturer4 years4 years
Warranty Extended8 years8 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 has the longer 440 km quoted range and identical battery and charging hardware. Choose the Brabus only if its 422 hp, all-wheel drive and 3.9-second sprint are priorities.

What is the price difference?

The smart #1 Brabus costs RM40,000 more than the smart #1 Premium. It also carries RM615 annual road tax versus RM260 for the Premium.

Do the Premium and Brabus charge at different speeds?

No. Both use a 66 kWh battery, support 22 kW AC charging and 150 kW DC charging, and provide 3.3 kW vehicle-to-load capability. The Premium has the longer quoted range: 440 km versus 400 km.

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