Smart #1 electric car review, UK price and pictures

An all-new electric crossover, the Smart #1 is the first car from the joint venture between Mercedes and the Chinese giant Geely, said Top Gear Magazine. The fully loaded Launch Edition will be available to order from January, a few months before the rest of the range. It includes the Pro+, the Premium and the “bonkers” 422bhp Brabus edition, which can do 0-62mph in a “frankly ridiculous 3.9 seconds”.

Smart was best known for its tiny 2-seater city cars, but at just under 4.3 metres long and 1.6 metres tall (similar to a Mini Countryman), the #1 has plenty of space for four adults, said Auto Express. It can go up to 273 miles on a charge, and a 10-80% top-up will take less than half-an-hour. It is not very inspiring on the road, but the drive is smooth, steering is crisp, and it’s quick enough, with a top speed of 112mph.

The spacious interior is impressively finished, but the bespoke infotainment system, housed in a 12.8in full HD display, is clumsy and unintuitive and features an animated fox, said Autocar. The failure to offer Android Auto/Apple CarPlay as standard feels like a serious omission. UK deliveries aren’t due to start until the second half of next year, so there’s still time for Smart to polish up the #1. Frankly, it needs it. UK price from about £35,000.