Verdict
For most Malaysian buyers, the smart #5 Premium is the sensible call: it costs RM50,000 less, delivers a longer 590 km range and incurs RM455 annual road tax versus RM1,740. The Brabus answers with a serious 637 hp, 710 Nm and 3.8-second 0-100 km/h time, against 358 hp, 373 Nm and 6.5 seconds for the Premium. Both retain the same 100 kWh battery and 400 kW DC charging capability, so the extra money is chiefly for much stronger performance, all-wheel drive, 21-inch wheels and rear-seat upgrades.
Pick the smart #5 Premium if 590 km range, RM455 road tax and keeping RM50,000 in your pocket matter more than outright acceleration.
Pick the smart #5 Brabus if its 637 hp dual-motor all-wheel-drive performance and more accommodating rear seating justify RM259,800.
Key differences
- Price: smart #5 Premium RM209,800; smart #5 Brabus RM259,800.
- Motors: smart #5 Premium one motor; smart #5 Brabus two motors.
- Motor output: smart #5 Premium 358 hp and 373 Nm; smart #5 Brabus 637 hp and 710 Nm.
- EV range: smart #5 Premium 590 km; smart #5 Brabus 540 km.
- 0-100 km/h: smart #5 Premium 6.5 seconds; smart #5 Brabus 3.8 seconds.
- Rear seats: smart #5 Premium 60:40 split-fold with sliding adjustment; smart #5 Brabus 60:40 split-fold with power reclining and Boss Switch.
Premium
- RM50,000 less to buy.
- 590 km range, 50 km more than the Brabus.
- Lower RM455 annual road tax.
- 358 hp and 373 Nm fall well short of the Brabus.
- Rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive.
- No power rear-seat reclining or Boss Switch.
Brabus
- 637 hp, 710 Nm and a 3.8-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Dual-motor all-wheel drive.
- Power-reclining rear seats with Boss Switch and sports suspension.
- Costs RM50,000 more.
- 540 km range is 50 km shorter.
- RM1,740 annual road tax versus RM455.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM209,800✓ | RM259,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM455✓ | RM1,740 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 800V architecture | 800V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 358 hp | 637 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 373 Nm | 710 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 100 kWh | 100 kWh |
| EV Range | 590 km✓ | 540 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 400 kW | 400 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 | 6.5 seconds | 3.8 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 210 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,705 mm | 4,705 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,920 mm |
| Height | 1,705 mm | 1,705 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mm | 2,900 mm |
| Weight | 2,260 kg | 2,378 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 630 litres | 630 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 255/40R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 255/40R21 |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 7 | Continental EcoContact 7 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 21" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 21" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Sports Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags) | 6 (Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electronic for Rear Doors | Electronic 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 Projectors with Auto High Beam & Auto Levelling | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam & Auto Levelling |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full 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-fold with Sliding Adjustment | 60:40 Split-fold with Power Reclining and Boss Switch |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-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 Wireless Chargers, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 2 Wireless Chargers, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Powered Sunroof Shade | Powered Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 13" Twin AMOLED Touchscreens with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 20-speaker Sennheiser Sound System | 13" Twin AMOLED Touchscreens with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 20-speaker Sennheiser 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 with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist | Adaptive Cruise Control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Yes, Powered with Kick Sensor | Yes, Powered with Kick Sensor |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 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/150000 High Voltage Components Warranty | 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty & 8-year/150000 High Voltage Components 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 #5 Premium or smart #5 Brabus better?
The Premium is the better buy for most people, with 590 km range and a RM50,000 lower price. Choose the Brabus only if 637 hp, all-wheel drive and 3.8-second acceleration are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The smart #5 Brabus costs RM50,000 more than the Premium: RM259,800 versus RM209,800.
Do the smart #5 Premium and Brabus charge at different speeds?
No. Both use a 100 kWh battery, support 22 kW AC charging and up to 400 kW DC charging, and provide 3.3 kW vehicle-to-load capability.
