Car review: The Smart #3 – when playful meets polish
SINGAPORE – Meet the Smart #3, the coupe-shaped electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) that is the sleeker and more grown-up sibling to the quirky-looking #1, which was launched here in 2024.
Although Smart is a relatively new brand in Singapore, its city cars have been zipping around European city streets for nearly three decades.
The brand has undergone significant transformation in the age of electrification, with its German owner, Mercedes-Benz, partnering China's Geely in 2019 to create a new range of stylish, upscale electric vehicles (EVs).
This upmarket move is not unlike BMW's revival of the Mini brand 30 years ago.
In Singapore, the #3 comes in two versions, the Pro+ – yes, it sounds like a gadget – and the Brabus, which is the sportier version and named after the famed German tuner known for souping up Mercedes-Benz cars.
As the more grown-up sibling of the #1, where the quirky design was a big part of its charm, the #3 adopts a more refined and less attention-grabbing look. It has a sleek, sloping roofline and an elegant profile.
The wheelbase is stretched by 35mm to 2,785mm, and the car is bigger overall, measuring 4,400mm, which is 130mm more than the #1.
Call it growing up if you will, but in doing so, the coupe SUV misses the playful standout factor that made the #1 so memorable. This is significant because the size and form of the #3 put the car up against a long list of electric SUVs on sale today.
The cabin is mostly similar to the #1 Brabus'. The seats seem to be set slightly lower and the driving position is more reclined. The Brabus touches include red seatbelts, a suede-like steering wheel rim and microfibre on the sports seats.
The touchscreen infotainment system is easy enough to use, and it needs to be because there are very few physical switches.
Screen-dependent: The touchscreen infotainment system handles the majority of functions.
ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
The presentation on the screen is funky. The home screen looks like a piece of graffiti with an animated fox (or leopard) waiting for instructions, just like Mini has its animated dog. If that is too chaotic, swiping right will display a more traditional tile layout.
There is a row of touch-sensitive buttons below the screen that offers quick access to functions such as drive modes, but no volume control knob. The volume can be adjusted only with the buttons on the steering wheel or the screen.
At 370 litres, the boot space of the #3 is similar to that of the Mercedes-Benz A-class. So, it is probably sufficient for most drivers, even if it is not particularly generous.
Sufficient capacity: The #3's boot has a capacity of 370 litres.
ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
The #3 Brabus is as quick as a road car needs to be. The claimed 0-100kmh timing of 3.7 seconds beats the 530hp BMW M2 CS by 0.1 of a second. The acceleration is explosive with sharp, confidence-inspiring handling to match. It also seems more stable than the #1 Brabus, which may be down to the lower ride height and longer wheelbase.
As with many EVs, the #3 Brabus will slow down markedly when the accelerator is lifted to recapture energy and charge its batteries.
There is also a one-pedal driving mode, which will bring the car to a complete halt without needing the brake pedal.
After covering nearly 200km, the test car posts an average energy consumption of 16.2kWh/100km, which is better than claimed. This suggests that a full charge should give an operating range of 400km or so.
Rationally, the #3 Brabus is more practical and it is a polished upgrade of the #1 Brabus. Want to be even more sensible? Go for the #3 Pro+ and save yourself $35,000.
But if fun is the top priority and you want to wear a silly grin on every drive, the #1 Brabus still has the edge.
Smart #3 Brabus
Price: $325,888 with COE after rebates and before applicable discounts
Motors: Two permanent magnet synchronous with 66kWh NCM battery
Transmission: Single-speed, all-wheel drive
Power: 315kW
Torque: 543Nm
0-100kmh: 3.7 seconds
Top speed: 180kmh
Power consumption: 17.6kWh/100km
Charging capacity: 22kW AC; 150kW DC
Agent: Cycle & Carriage
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Comparable considerations
Mini JCW Countryman All4 ($311,888 with COE)
As Mini's hottest petrol SUV, the JCW Countryman is bigger and more practical than the Smart. Its 292hp, 2-litre turbocharged engine does 0-100kmh in 5.4 seconds, which is no match for the Smart. The electric non-JCW version of the car goes for $266,888 with COE.
Cupra Tavascan VZ ($316,900 with COE before discount)
Larger and more practical than the #3 Brabus but no less stylish, the hot Tavascan is an entertaining drive even though its 250kW output pales in comparison to the #3 Brabus, with a 0-100kmh timing of 5.6 seconds.
Zeekr X Flagship ($224,999 before discount)
Slightly smaller than the #3 Brabus but just as powerful is the Zeekr X Flagship. With Zeekr being also Geely-owned, the X's underpinnings are closely related to those of the Smarts. Against the stopwatch, the 315kW X gets from 0-100kmh in 3.8 seconds, 0.1 of a second shy of the Smart #3.
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