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Smart · Compact SUV · 2023–2026 Custom Search

Smart #1 HX11

Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice

3.0 / 5.0 · Based on 2 engine variants · How we rate

Engine Overview

The Smart #1 HX11 is available with 2 engine variants — from 272 to 428 hp.

Brabus · Electric· 428 PS
2023 2026

Geely SEA platform dual motor (Brabus). 66 kWh battery, all-wheel drive. Brabus performance variant.

No known weaknesses documented.

Elektromotor · Electric· 272 PS
2023 2026

Geely SEA platform single motor. 66 kWh battery, rear-wheel drive. Completely new Smart generation, developed with Geely.

No known weaknesses documented.

Vehicle Weaknesses

WeaknessCost
Onboard Charger Incompatibility with AC Wallboxes

Early vehicles (pre-mid-2023) have a faulty OBC that fails completely at Tesla Wallbox Gen 3 and certain openWB stations. The vehicle can become stranded. Revised OBC available as a warranty replacement.

Symptoms: Charging process does not start, error message 'charging cable connected' despite no cable plugged in, charging aborts with relay clicking
Low
!Infotainment freezing and navigation issues

The infotainment system freezes when scrolling in the map view or switching to Google Maps satellite view. Reported to occur roughly every 15 minutes. Workaround: 10-second reboot via the power button.

Symptoms: Navigation arrow freezes, screen stops responding to input, steering wheel volume control stops working
Low
!Severely reduced DC charging speed in cold weather

Without battery pre-conditioning, DC charging power drops below 60 kW at 35% SoC in winter (instead of 150 kW). Range simultaneously falls from ~450 km in summer to 250–280 km on motorway driving.

Symptoms: Very slow charging in winter, noticeably longer charging times at fast chargers
Low

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Known Problems and Issues +

A total of 7 weaknesses have been documented for the Smart #1 HX11 (2023–2026). Typical issues affect Electronics, Other, Suspension, Body.

What to watch out for with the Smart #1? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What problems and weaknesses does the Smart #1 HX11 have? +
No known weaknesses have been documented for the Smart #1 HX11.
What should I look for when buying a used Smart #1 HX11? +
faq.watch_a_none
Which engine is recommended? +
Be careful: SEA-200 (Elektromotor), SEA-315 (Elektromotor Dual). No engine is rated 'Good Choice'. The most fun to drive is the SEA-315 (Elektromotor Dual).
Which Smart #1 HX11 engine is the most fun? +
The {code} ({displacement}) offers the most driving fun in the Smart #1 HX11 — rated: "Legendary!". {description} 428 hp, all-wheel drive, 3.9 s to 100 — the Brabus #1 is absurdly fast for a Smart. Drift mode included; a genuine performance SUV.
Is the Smart #1 HX11 worth buying used? +
The Smart #1 HX11 requires careful consideration — choosing the right engine variant is crucial.
What horsepower variants are available for the Smart #1 HX11? +
The Smart #1 HX11 is available with engine variants from 272 to 428 hp.

Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee