Smart #1 Forum

The #1 is a bigger car than pictures might suggest; it has a similar footprint on the road to a MINI Countryman, while its two-tone body and rounded surfacing certainly grab your attention. Climb inside and you’ll find the tall centre console cocoons the front occupants, but the cabin overall is spacious and accommodating, with plenty of rear legroom and a 411-litre boot.

Overall then, with its quirky looks, roomy cabin and tech suite, not to mention the performance on tap, the #1 has potential to stand out from the rest of the compact, family-friendly electric SUV crowd. That said, fewer kilos would not only improve dynamics, but also extend the car’s range. It’s a shame the pure-electric Smart isn’t lighter given its new, bespoke, EV platform.

Some of the trim materials are still being finalised, but perceived quality is high. The leather-trimmed facia is nicely padded and the swooping dashboard looks thoroughly modern, although the 12.8-inch infotainment display doesn't gel with the rest of the design. The system is inoperable in this prototype, and we are told that the touchscreen-based climate controls will be a permanent fixture at the bottom of the display, which is a plus. A 9.2-inch screen sits behind the steering wheel to display key driving information.