smart #1 Premium vs Brabus
Verdict
The smart #1 Premium is the sensible sweet spot here: at RM209,000 it uses the same 66.0 kWh battery, seats five, has the same 411-litre boot and matches the smart #1 Brabus at 180 km/h. The smart #1 Brabus costs RM249,000, and the RM40,000 gap buys a second motor, all-wheel drive, 422 hp and a huge 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time. But it gives up 40 km of range and road tax jumps from RM260 to RM615 a year.
Pick the smart #1 Premium if you want the longer 440 km range, lower running cost and enough performance from a 268 hp rear-drive EV.
Pick the smart #1 Brabus if you specifically want dual-motor all-wheel drive and 3.9-second 0-100 km/h pace.
Key differences
- Price: RM209,000 vs RM249,000
- Motor and driven wheels: single motor, rear-wheel drive vs dual motor, all-wheel drive
- Power: 268 hp vs 422 hp
- 0-100 km/h: 6.7 seconds vs 3.9 seconds
- EV range: 440 km vs 400 km
- Road tax per year: RM260 vs RM615
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 209,000✓ | RM 249,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Motor | Single motor | Dual motor |
| Power | 268 hp | 422 hp✓ |
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 6.7 s | 3.9 s✓ |
| Top speed | 180 km/h | 180 km/h |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | 66.0 kWh | 66.0 kWh |
| EV range | 440 km✓ | 400 km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,270 mm | 4,270 mm |
| Width | 1,822 mm | 1,822 mm |
| Height | 1,636 mm | 1,636 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,750 mm |
| Boot space | 411 L | 411 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 | 7 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 4 | 4 |
| 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
- RM40,000 cheaper
- Longer 440 km EV range
- Same 66.0 kWh battery and 411-litre boot
- Single motor only
- 268 hp trails the Brabus by 154 hp
- 0-100 km/h takes 6.7 seconds
Brabus
- Dual-motor all-wheel drive
- 422 hp
- 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds
- RM40,000 dearer
- Shorter 400 km EV range
- RM615 annual road tax
Premium vs Brabus FAQ
Is the smart #1 Premium or smart #1 Brabus better?
The smart #1 Premium is better for most Malaysian buyers because it costs RM40,000 less, goes 440 km versus 400 km, and keeps the same 66.0 kWh battery, five seats and 411-litre boot. Choose Brabus only if 3.9-second acceleration matters.
What is the price difference?
The smart #1 Brabus is RM40,000 more expensive: RM249,000 versus RM209,000 for the smart #1 Premium.
What does the smart #1 Brabus add over the smart #1 Premium?
It adds a second motor, all-wheel drive, 422 hp instead of 268 hp, and cuts 0-100 km/h from 6.7 seconds to 3.9 seconds. Range drops from 440 km to 400 km.