Garry Croft drives a smart #1 BRABUS 66kWh (62kWh usable) 2023.

This is Garry’s third electric car, he’s owned the smart #1 BRABUS from new and drives 5,000-10,000 miles annually. The current mileage of the car is between 1,000-5,000 miles and he achieves 248 miles from a full charge.

Why did you choose the smart #1 BRABUS?

I’ve wanted this car ever since I first saw the concept. At my age it’s going to be my last car so I bought it outright instead of the usual lease. I was most attracted by the amount of kit. It’s fully loaded! Matrix LED headlights, 360 cameras, flush door handles, puddle lights, electric tailgate, 1,600kg towing capacity, 13 speaker stereo, 12.5in infotainment screen, driver’s display, heads up display, full panoramic glass roof with electric blind, heat pump, 150kW DC charging, 22kW onboard AC charger, 19” alloy wheels, dog mode, onboard cooler and much more.

It drives beautifully and is very quick, 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds and a quarter mile in 12.1 seconds. That’s Audi RS3 fast. Comes with all the safety features and driver aids you could ask for like lane keep assist, forward and rear collision avoidance, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control with stop start, cross traffic avoidance, auto overtake, self-parking etc. Its sister cars are the ZEEKR X and Volvo EX30.

Positives – List 3 or more reasons why you love this electric car

• It’s comfortable to drive with all the creature comforts
• just the right size for me
• has a very impressive NCAP 5 star score
• packed with driver & safety aids
• will seat 5 and has two ISOFIX in the rear and one on the front passenger seat
• it’s more expensive than its stable mate the Volvo EX30 but you get a whole load more extra kit for your money.

Negatives – List 3 or more things that you really don’t like about this electric car

I like everything about this car but some people will find the cargo area too small. Even though it has almost everything possible on a car for some reason it doesn’t have a heated steering wheel. However the wheel is part leather with Alcantara surround so it doesn’t get cold. Of course, the seats are electric and heated with lumber adjustment too.

Compared to when you first bought the car, does your battery still charge at the same rate & do you still get the same range?

Yes but it’s only two months & 1,500 miles old! 😁

Have you experienced any faults with the car? If so, what have they been?

Because I got the car in October (although it wasn’t due until December) it came without Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, due to an over-the-air update. Also, the app doesn’t have all the features yet like digital key etc. Again, this will come with updates.

What are the standout technological features of the car?

Please see above it has so much tech! Some of the things you don’t currently get on a Tesla. It has a driver’s display, heads up display, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, full matrix led headlights, blind spot warning, a rear wiper, indicator stalk, drive select stalk, 22kW onboard AC charger etc. 🤣

Surprise us! Tell us something people wouldn’t readily know about this electric car

• Cooler in the centre arm rest
• storage under the centre console
• a very small froot but at least it has one
• rear seats can be moved forwards for extra boot space as well as the usual split seat and ski hatch.

What’s the biggest or funniest myth you’ve heard about EVs?

You need a new battery every two or three years.

What electric car(s) are you interested in next and why?

None, this is my ‘forever car’.

Do you charge your electric car from home?

No

Do you use public charging networks?

Yes

What public charging networks would you recommend to others and why?

Osprey because they are very reliable.

Insurer – outline both positive & negative elements

Aviva – a nightmare to communicate with. I had no choice because the car was so new no one listed it.

Please itemise where you’re saving money (or not) owning & running a smart #1 BRABUS

• I can’t charge at home so save little on running costs
• servicing and MOT are free for 3 years
• no road tax until April 2025.

See other Owner Reviews here