2025 Smart #3 Brabus Review: Look out Mini! The loveable micro car brand has grown up with Mercedes-Benz DNA and an electric SUV line-up

February 15, 2025February 15, 2025 Toby Hagon 430 Views 0 Comments #3, smart

Smart is back, bigger than ever.

The brand that made its name making two-seat micro cars as a collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and watch brand Swatch has morphed into a maker of SUVs – now with a healthy dose of Mercedes-Benz DNA.

The new Smart only makes EVs following an unlikely partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Chinese giant Geely. The latter owns many brands, including Volvo and Polestar.

Mercedes-Benz looks after the design while Geely provides the architecture and manufacturing in China.

Smart #3 Brabus — The #3 marks the return of the Smart small car brand.

The brand has launched with two models, the #1 and #3, each compact SUVs, the #3 slightly less compact than the #1.

Each is trying to sell on emotion and fun as much as EV substance.

While there are natural comparisons to make with similarly priced EVs from Tesla, Kia, BYD and others, it’s arguably Mini that is the most direct competitor.

Just as Mini provides German rival BMW with a pocket-sized city-focused set of wheels, Smart is a smile-inducing alternative to the formalities of Mercedes-Benz. It’s even sold through selected Mercedes-Benz dealerships (one each in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane).

2025 Smart #3 Brabus price and equipment

It’s the Smart #3 we’ve tested here, a car priced from $57,900 before on-road costs for the entry-level Pro+. It comes with a panoramic sunroof, powered tailgate, faux leather, 12.8-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

There’s also a range of funky colours – including two-tone options – and three interior colour combos.

The Premium is another $4000 and brings a Beats sound system, head-up display, leather trim, matrix LED headlights and faster AC charging capability (the base model can charge at up to 7.4kW whereas the Premium charges at 22kW; both can do DC fast charging at up to 150kW).

Then there’s the #3 Brabus, the $70,900 plus on-roads model we spent a week with. It steps the wheels up from 19 inches to 20s and includes various red highlights, including the brake calipers. The trim is a microfibre suede with rivets attached for something different.

There’s also a unique body kit and a vent on the bonnet.

Anyone into their performance Mercs will know Brabus has a reputation for creating some of the most potent Benzes with big noise and big performance.

In Smart guise, though, things are more subtle.

Its dual electric motors also pump out more power, with up to 315kW and 543Nm for 0-100km/h acceleration in 3.7 seconds.

2025 Smart #3 Brabus: What we think

The Smart #3 is a Smart like no other.

You get that by looking at it.

Smarts have always been a little bit cutesy and very distinctive and the modern iteration continues the theme.

The one difference is that there are now lots of rival EVs that also have that jellybean-infused curvaceous look.

Still, in Brabus guise the #3 looks purposeful with its additional lip on the bonnet and optional contrasting roof colour.

There’s also some Merc DNA in its lines, particularly the sweep of the tail lights.

Inside, the Mercedes-Benz design nous shines through, especially with the circular air vents that are reminiscent of recent Benzes.

Adjustable ambient lighting glowing from the vents – and other cracks and crevices – adds to the classiness emanating from the cabin.

The five-door is vaguely practical, utilising its dedicated EV architecture nicely to provide respectable head and leg space for those in the back.

The boot isn’t quite as accommodating and the miniature frunk – or front trunk – is tiny, good only for very small valuables.

On the road the Brabus is impressively ballistic in a straight line, piling on pace with the sort of enthusiasm that would embarrass many vastly more expensive ICE machines.

It’s responsive and quick, blazing to triple digits in a luscious sweep of torque.

Dial up some of the fake engine sounds – some are refreshingly convincing, others more playful – and it adds to the sense of pace.

The Smart #3’s 66kWh battery (62kWh of which is usable) provides 415km of WLTP range and our experience suggests something like 370km is more realistic (Pro+ and Premium models get more range, 435km and 455km respectively).

The #3 Brabus is slick through corners, too, its 20-inch rubber only yelping when you push the limits.

It can be exciting and is agile, although things get lively if you attack corners too vigorously. The ride also tends towards firm.

It’s competent but does its best work in a straight line.

The infotainment screen is large and clear, but the fun factor has perhaps been pushed a touch too far.

Cartoon animals – including a persistent fox – are weaved in with menus and icons and a caricature of a globe.

Basic actions such as adjusting the ventilation take some taps of the screen. Look to go further and you’re delving into menus. It pays to practice!

2025 Smart #3 Brabus: Verdict

It’s fun, funky and a little bit different.

But if you’re expecting Smart 2.0 to be a reboot of the original then think again.

Sure, the modern Smart leverages its heritage, which has to be advantageous in a market segment where newcomers dominate and finding a way to stand out can be tricky.

And in Brabus guise the Smart #3 is also fast, albeit without the hard edge some may expect.

Just like Mini, though, if you weigh up the SUV options for the price of the Smart #3 you start to realise you’re paying for the badge and distinctive design.

But consider it more as a machine to make you smile and that value focus shrinks into the background.

At which point the Smart #3 makes for a refreshing EV alternative.

Score: 3.5/5

Smart #3 Brabus specifications

Price: $70,900 plus on-road costs
Basics: EV, 5 seats, 5 doors, SUV, AWD
Range: 415km (WLTP)
Battery capacity: 66kWh (62kWh usable)
Battery warranty: 8 years/150,000km
Energy consumption: 18.2kWh/100km
Motors: 1 front and 1 rear 315kW/543Nm
AC charging: 22kW, Type 2 plug
DC charging: 150kW, CCS combo plug
0-100km/h: 3.7 seconds