Overview
The Smart #3 Brabus sits firmly at the top of the Smart #3 line-up as a high-performance, electric crossover coupe. Jointly developed by Mercedes-Benz and Geely, it merges German design with a cutting-edge Chinese EV platform. Positioned as a direct rival to performance EVs like the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N, MG4 XPower, and Nissan Ariya Nismo, the Brabus treatment brings an aggressive, twin-motor setup to the stylish #3 body shell. It trades away a bit of vertical headroom compared to its #1 sibling in exchange for a sleeker, fastback profile and superior aerodynamic efficiency. It is aimed squarely at buyers seeking supercar-rivaling rapid acceleration paired with a compact footprint and distinctive styling.
Design
Exterior styling for the Smart #3 Brabus is handled by Mercedes-Benz, giving it a polished and purposeful athletic stance. The Brabus trim amps-up the visual drama over standard models with a specific aerodynamic body kit, including sportier front air intakes, a pronounced front splitter, integrated side skirts, and a roof-mounted rear spoiler. Up front, a continuous LED light bar connects the sharp headlights, set above a dark, aggressive front grille. Distinctive 20-inch Synchro alloy wheels with red brake callipers fill the arches, while contrasting roof options and red accent striping emphasize its performance. The sweeping, coupe-like roofline terminates in a distinctive light bar setup at the rear, framed by a sporty diffuser-style lower bumper.
Interior
Inside, the cabin balances modern minimalism with sporty microfibre luxury. High-grade sports seats feature integrated headrests, suede-like upholstery, red stitching, and prominent Brabus badging on the headrests. Bright red seatbelts and anodised red trim accents around the air vents further distinguish this cabin from standard trim levels. Technology is centered around a crisp 12.8-inch central touchscreen running Smart's infotainment system, paired with a 9.2-inch digital driver instrument cluster and a 10-inch head-up display. Physical controls are kept to a minimum, with most functions controlled through the central screen or voice assistance. Build quality feels sturdy, leveraging Mercedes-Benz interior cues such as ambient lighting and tactile metallic switchgear.
Performance & Powertrains
Underneath the skin, the Smart #3 Brabus uses Geely's Sustainable Experience Architecture in a dual-motor, AWD configuration. The rear motor puts out 268 hp, while an additional front motor delivers 154 hp, producing a combined total output of 428 hp and 543 Nm of torque. This setup propels the crossover from 0 to 62 mph in a lightning-fast 3.7 seconds, reaching a top speed of 112 mph. Power is supplied by a 66 kWh NCM battery, which delivers a range of 258 miles. DC rapid charging capability tops out at 150 kW, allowing a 10% to 80% charge in under 30 minutes. The lowered sports suspension delivers direct handling, supported by four selectable drive modes including a dedicated Brabus mode that releases full power alongside synthesized motor sounds.
Practicality
Despite its sloping fastback roofline, the Smart #3 Brabus remains a functional 5-seater crossover. Front occupants enjoy generous head and legroom, while rear passengers get reasonable space, though taller occupants may find headroom slightly compromised by the panoramic glass roof. Boot capacity stands at 370 litres with the rear seats in place, expanding to 1,160 litres when the 60/40 split-folding rear seats are stowed away. Up front, a small 15-litre frunk provides convenient storage for charging cables. Cabin storage is exceptionally good, featuring a deep central console, floating center storage shelf, generous door pockets, and a cooled glovebox.
Buying
The Smart #3 Brabus commands an price of £45,450. As the range-topping flagship, it comes standard with virtually every piece of available equipment, including the 20-inch alloy wheels, panoramic halo roof, Beats premium sound system, matrix LED headlights, 360-degree camera system, and full suite of advanced driver safety aids. Given that all performance and luxury features are bundled in, the EV Hub recommended configuration is the only Brabus trim.