Smart #1 EV gets £4k cheaper with new Pro model

• £31,950 starting price
• Smaller battery and reduced range
• Available to order now

The Smart #1 lineup has expanded with the introduction of the Pro model, serving as the new entry point to the range. With a £31,950 price tag, the #1 Pro offers a substantial £4,000 saving over the previous entry-level model, the #1 Pro+. 

The Smart #1 sits in a crowded market of other electric SUVs, but its quirky styling and plush interior help it appeal to a style-conscious audience. Despite being the smallest car in the Smart range, the #1 is a far cry from the brand’s minute city cars of old – the Hyundai Kona Electric and Volvo EX30 are its closest rivals in terms of both size and price. With the introduction of the Pro model, the Smart #1 now undercuts the starting price of both of these cars, but does so at the expense of range. 

Top 10 best small SUVs 2024

Smart claims the new #1 Pro provides “an exceptional value proposition for customers who require less range while expecting just as much in the way of style and substance” and that the new smaller battery is “ideal for those making shorter journeys”. 

What’s new for the Smart #1 Pro?

The major change for the Smart #1 Pro is its smaller battery. It retains the same single electric motor from the pricier models, but the battery has shrunk from 66kWh (62kWh usable) to 49kWh. The smaller battery accounts for the reduction in price, but range has subsequently dropped from 260 miles in the Pro+ to 193 miles in the Pro. It’s worth noting that neither of these models use a heat pump – that’s reserved for the more expensive #1 Premium with 273 miles of range.

The Pro model doesn’t lose out on performance, with the same 268bhp and 6.7 second 0-62mph time of the Pro+ and Premium variants, although for the speediest Smart, you’ll want to upgrade to the 422bhp #1 Brabus. Peak charging speed has dropped marginally from 150kW to 130kW, but a 10-80% charge can still be achieved in sub-30 minutes. 

What equipment does the Smart #1 Pro have?

The Smart #1 Pro comes with an identical equipment list to the pricier Pro model, the only difference between the two models, of course, being that smaller battery. This means you get all the tech of the more expensive model, from the 360-degree parking camera to the 12.8-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s a panoramic sunroof, heated seats and a whole suite of driver assistance and safety features.

If you want something bigger but just as styling as the #1, read our in-depth review of the electric Smart #3…