Proton has been eyeing entry into the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) sector since the market began adopting electric vehicles. If Proton were to build one from scratch, it would take quite a while before the car could hit the market. So, in order to gain experience in selling NEVs, Proton has opted to learn through selling another brand. This is where the smart brand comes into play. Smart returns to Malaysia with only one model in their lineup: the smart #1, available in three different variants. In this review, I’ll examine the middle-of-the-pack variant, the smart #1 Premium, and see how it stacks up against other EVs in its segment.
For a car designed for those who love trendy stuff, the smart #1 comes with a very funky exterior. You’ll instantly notice the abundance of curves when you first set eyes on the vehicle. These curves give the car a cute appearance and complement its design well. While I prefer a more rugged vehicle, I can still appreciate the feminine touch from time to time. 
At the front, the most memorable aspect of the vehicle is the slim headlights with an integrated light bar running across the front. This sets the tone for the vehicle’s character. The headlights provide good illumination at night, and there are matrix LED high beams to see further without glaring at oncoming cars. You may not notice this during the daytime, but there are lights behind the grille that illuminate when you unlock the vehicle, as well as the smart logo situated on the c-pillar. 
Similar to the headlights, the taillights are full LED and are also connected by a light bar at the back. The back of the vehicle is also quite curvy, matching the front. As a party trick, the smart #1 can perform a light dance when activated in the infotainment system. To continue the funky look, the large 19-inch rims complement the overall appearance of the vehicle, wrapped in 235/45 R19 tires to provide necessary grip. 
Before entering the vehicle, you’ll notice that the smart #1 comes with retractable door handles to reduce aerodynamic drag. When you open the doors, the frameless design gives the car a sporty vibe. Once inside, you’ll instantly notice the funky interior, matching the exterior design. While the dashboard painted in white adds contrast to the interior, the predominantly hard plastics used take away some premium feel. 
At the center of the dashboard sits a large 12.8-inch infotainment screen. This screen comes with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, essential features for a modern vehicle. Within the infotainment system, you also get a 360-degree camera, which does a good job of guiding the driver during parking. Although the integration of climate controls inside the infotainment system may be distracting, the system functions well overall. 
On the upside, the smart #1 comes with a 13-speaker Beats audio system. While it may not match systems like Burmester, the sound quality matches Bose or Harman Kardon sound systems. The instrument cluster may appear small and narrow, but it still measures 9.2 inches, providing clean visuals and good readability. Additionally, the heads-up display shows all the necessary information from the instrument cluster, including Waze directions. 
Upon sitting in the driver’s seat, you’ll notice how bright and airy the cabin feels, thanks to the large windows and tall roof. The seating position feels more like that of an SUV than a hatchback, offering a good view ahead. However, I still wish the driver’s seat could go lower to suit my driving position. Nonetheless, the ergonomics for the driver’s seat are well-designed, with all controls within easy reach.
The rear seats are comfortable, offering a decent amount of legroom and headroom. Rear passengers have their own AC vents, as well as one USB-A slot and one USB-C slot for charging devices. The smart #1 cabin feels spacious, thanks to the large panoramic roof that can be opened to let in natural light. Additionally, the smart #1 boasts a fairly large boot size of 411L, with additional storage space under the boot floor and another storage compartment under the hood, although it’s not particularly spacious after fitting the tire repair kit. 
This Premium variant is powered by a single electric motor located in the rear of the vehicle, making the #1 Premium a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. This configuration benefits the vehicle’s handling. The electric motor is powered by a 66kWh battery, providing a range of 440 km on paper. It can produce 268 hp and a maximum torque of 343 Nm, accelerating from 0-100 km/h in just 6.7 seconds and reaching a top speed of 180 km/h.
In terms of performance, the smart #1 feels anything but underpowered, even with just a single electric motor. The acceleration is effortless and comfortable, reaching three-digit speeds smoothly. During testing, the powertrain proved to be quite efficient, with an average energy consumption of 17kW/100km.
Charging wise, the smart #1 can receive up to 135kW of charging speed from a 350kW charger, maintaining fast charging up to 90% of the battery capacity before the speed drops, a common behavior in EVs to protect the battery from overcharging.
On the plus side, the smart #1 handles surprisingly well, with fairly direct steering and minimal body roll thanks to the low center of gravity. However, the suspension, tuned towards the sporty side, can transmit some road imperfections into the cabin, affecting ride quality. Nonetheless, the smart #1 offers effective braking performance, both from the physical brakes and regenerative brakes.
To ensure safety, the smart #1 comes loaded with a wide array of safety and driver assistance systems. However, some of these systems may interfere with driving, particularly when road lines are redrawn due to road works. Nonetheless, the smart #1 Premium includes ABS, ESP, ESC, Electronic Traction Control (TCS / ASR), Hill Hold Assist & Hill Descent Assist, Cornering Brake Control (CBC), TPMS with Digital Display, and 7 Airbags as part of its safety features.
For advanced driver assistance, the smart #1 includes Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Autonomous Emergency Brake (AEB)- City/Urban, Autonomous Emergency Brake (AEB)- Pedestrian/Cyclist, Front Collision Mitigation Support (FCMS), Rear Collision Mitigation Support (RCMS), Emergency Lane Keep Assist (ELKA), Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Departure Prevention (LDP), Lane Change Assist (LCA), Automated Lane Change Assist (ALCA), Evasive Maneuver Assist (EMA), Front Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Door Opening Warning (DOW), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Speed Limit Information Function (SLIF), Driver Performance Monitoring (DPM), Highway Assist (HWA), Traffic Jam Assist (TJA), Adaptive High Beam, Full Autonomous Parking (FAP), Parking Emergency Brake (PEB), and Autonomous Parking Assist.
If you like funky cars, the smart #1 is an appealing choice. Its interesting styling cues will make you stand out, and with a price tag of RM 219,000, it offers a practical alternative for those looking for an EV. With Proton’s support, the smart brand is here to stay in Malaysia.
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