Verdict
For most Malaysian buyers, the smart #1 Premium is the sensible call. The RM40,000 gap buys the Brabus a second motor, all-wheel drive and a startling 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time, against 6.7 seconds, but not extra cabin space, charging speed or safety hardware. The Premium goes 440 km on its 66 kWh battery versus 400 km for the heavier Brabus, and its annual road tax is RM260 rather than RM615. Choose the Brabus only if its 422 hp performance is the point.
Pick the smart #1 Premium if you want the longer 440 km range, lower RM260 annual road tax and the same core equipment for RM40,000 less.
Pick the smart #1 Brabus if you will use its 422 hp dual-motor all-wheel-drive performance and 3.9-second 0-100 km/h acceleration.
Key differences
- Price: RM209,000 for the Premium versus RM249,000 for the Brabus.
- Motors: one motor in the Premium versus two motors in the Brabus.
- Power: 268 hp in the Premium versus 422 hp in the Brabus.
- Torque: 343 Nm in the Premium versus 543 Nm in the Brabus.
- Driveline and 0-100 km/h: rear-wheel drive and 6.7 seconds for the Premium versus all-wheel drive and 3.9 seconds for the Brabus.
- EV range and road tax: 440 km and RM260 per year for the Premium versus 400 km and RM615 per year for the Brabus.
Premium
- 440 km EV range, 40 km more than the Brabus.
- RM40,000 lower purchase price.
- Lower RM260 annual road tax and comfort suspension.
- 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 6.7 seconds versus 3.9 seconds.
Brabus
- 422 hp and 543 Nm from two motors.
- All-wheel drive and a 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Sport suspension.
- 400 km EV range is 40 km short of the Premium's 440 km.
- RM40,000 more expensive than the Premium.
- RM615 annual road tax versus RM260.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM209,000✓ | RM249,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM260✓ | RM615 |
| Powertrain | ||
| 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 | 440 km✓ | 400 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 | 6.7 seconds | 3.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,270 mm | 4,270 mm |
| Width | 1,822 mm | 1,822 mm |
| Height | 1,636 mm | 1,636 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,750 mm |
| Weight | 1,800 kg | 1,900 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 411 litres | 411 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/45R19 | 235/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/45R19 | 235/45R19 |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | 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" Rotor Alloy Wheels | 19" Dynamo Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Rotor Alloy Wheels | 19" Dynamo Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort Suspension | Sport Suspension |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 |
| Safety Notes | Door Opening Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition, Auto High Beam, | Door Opening Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition, Auto High Beam, |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam & Auto Levelling | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam & Auto Levelling |
| Taillamps | LED | LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 10-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory Function, Powered Front Passenger's Seat with Seat Ventilation | 10-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory Function, Powered Front Passenger's Seat with Seat Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold with Sliding Adjustment | 60:40 Split-fold with Sliding Adjustment |
| 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, 3 USB-C, 1 USB-A, Qi Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 3 USB-C, 1 USB-A, Qi Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights, 64-colour Extended Ambient Lighting | Map Lights, 64-colour Extended Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Yes | Yes |
| 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 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 | 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 Mileage Extended | 200,000 km | 200,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 4 years |
| Warranty Extended | 8 years | 8 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.
Used cars for sale
Premium vs Brabus FAQ
Is the smart #1 Premium or smart #1 Brabus better?
The Premium is better for most buyers because it has 440 km range, lower road tax and the same charging, cabin and safety equipment. The Brabus is better only if 422 hp, all-wheel drive and 3.9-second acceleration matter more than cost and range.
What is the price difference?
The smart #1 Brabus costs RM40,000 more than the smart #1 Premium.
Do the Premium and Brabus charge at different speeds?
No. Both have 22 kW AC charging, 150 kW DC charging and 3.3 kW vehicle-to-load capability. The difference is range: 440 km for the Premium and 400 km for the Brabus.
