Verdict
At RM215,000, the smart #3 Premium is the rational Malaysian buy: its 455 km range is 40 km ahead of the Brabus, yet it retains the same 66 kWh battery, 150 kW DC charging, 370-litre boot, seven airbags and 13-speaker Beats system. The RM255,000 Brabus earns its RM40,000 premium with 422 hp, 543 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 3.7-second 0-100 km/h sprint, against 268 hp, 343 Nm, rear-wheel drive and 5.8 seconds. It also adds sport suspension and 20-inch wheels, but no extra cabin or safety equipment.
Pick the smart #3 Premium if 455 km range, lower RM260 annual road tax and a RM40,000 saving matter more than maximum acceleration.
Pick the smart #3 Brabus if you want 422 hp, all-wheel drive and a 3.7-second 0-100 km/h time from your smart #3.
Key differences
- Price: RM215,000 for the Premium; RM255,000 for the Brabus.
- Motors and output: one motor, 268 hp and 343 Nm for the Premium; two motors, 422 hp and 543 Nm for the Brabus.
- Driveline and acceleration: rear-wheel drive and 0-100 km/h in 5.8 seconds for the Premium; all-wheel drive and 3.7 seconds for the Brabus.
- Range and road tax: 455 km and RM260 per year for the Premium; 415 km and RM615 per year for the Brabus.
- Wheels and suspension: 19-inch Torque alloys with MacPherson struts/multi-link suspension for the Premium; 20-inch Synchro alloys with sport suspension for the…
Premium
- 40 km longer 455 km EV range
- RM40,000 lower purchase price
- Lower RM260 annual road tax
- 268 hp and 343 Nm trail the Brabus' 422 hp and 543 Nm
- Rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive
- 0-100 km/h takes 5.8 seconds, 2.1 seconds behind the Brabus
Brabus
- 422 hp and 543 Nm from two motors
- All-wheel drive and 3.7-second 0-100 km/h acceleration
- 20-inch wheels and sport suspension
- 415 km range is 40 km shorter than the Premium
- Costs RM40,000 more with the same battery, charging rates and cabin equipment
- RM615 annual road tax is RM355 higher
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM215,000✓ | RM255,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM260✓ | RM615 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 268 hp | 422 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 343 Nm | 543 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 66 kWh | 66 kWh |
| EV Range | 455 km✓ | 415 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 150 kW | 150 kW |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | 3.3 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.8 seconds | 3.7 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,400 mm | 4,400 mm |
| Width | 1,844 mm | 1,844 mm |
| Height | 1,556 mm | 1,556 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,785 mm | 2,785 mm |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 370 litres | 370 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 245/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 245/40R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 060 | Continental EcoContact 6 Q |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Torque Alloy Wheels | 20" Synchro Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Torque Alloy Wheels | 20" Synchro Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Sport Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag) | 7 (Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available On Front Passenger Seat, Rear Outer Seats | Available On Front Passenger Seat, Rear Outer Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Front and Rear | Yes, Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Manual Levelling | LED Reflector with Manual Levelling |
| Taillamps | LED | LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Manual Sunshade for Glass Roof | Manual Sunshade for Glass Roof |
| Audio | 12.8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 13-speaker Beats EQ Sound System | 12.8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 13-speaker Beats EQ Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Yes, Powered | Yes, Powered |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, With 360-degree Camera | Yes, With 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty | 8-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.
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Premium vs Brabus FAQ
Is the smart #3 Premium or smart #3 Brabus better?
The smart #3 Premium is better for most buyers because it goes 455 km on a charge and costs RM40,000 less. The Brabus is better if its 422 hp, all-wheel drive and 3.7-second sprint are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The smart #3 Brabus costs RM40,000 more than the smart #3 Premium.
Does the smart #3 Brabus charge faster than the Premium?
No. Both use a 66 kWh battery, accept 22 kW AC and 150 kW DC charging, and provide 3.3 kW vehicle-to-load capability. The Brabus trades 40 km of range for its extra performance.
