Smart #1 Now Available in Nepal: Premium Compact EV or Pricey Statement Piece?

After a long tease since 2024, the Smart series is now officially launched in Nepal. The one we are discussing here is the #1, which comes at a premium price, to say the least. But but but, there are perks to this car that we will see in great detail in this article.

We first covered the Smart #1 and Smart #3 back in mid-2024, when CG Motors, the official distributor of Smart Automobile in Nepal, confirmed that the brand would arrive soon. Bookings even opened for the Smart lineup at the time. However, uncertain launch timelines, followed by disruptions such as the CG showroom fire during the Gen Z protest, pushed those plans into limbo. Fast forward to today, and the Smart series has officially launched in Nepal.

So, what’s the story behind the name, and why does Smart carry a premium price tag?

The name “Smart” has an interesting origin. It comes from the combination of Swatch, Mercedes-Benz, and Art. Swatch, the Swiss watch brand, originally envisioned the concept. Mercedes-Benz later stepped in to turn that idea into a production-ready car, while “Art” represented the brand’s design-focused approach. Together, Swatch + Mercedes-Benz + Art formed what we now know as Smart.

As for the “#” naming, it is meant to reflect the brand’s modern, digital-first identity. The hashtag symbolizes connectivity, tech-forward thinking, and a break from traditional automotive naming conventions. And while this isn’t to stereotype, having Swiss roots and Mercedes-Benz design influence does help explain, at least partially, why Smart positions itself as a premium offering.

On the corporate side, Smart Automobile now operates as a 50:50 joint venture between Mercedes-Benz AG and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group. Mercedes-Benz handles the design and overall aesthetic direction, while Geely takes care of manufacturing in China and the EV-specific engineering. In simple terms, Smart blends Mercedes-Benz’s design DNA with Geely’s electric vehicle expertise, and that combination plays a big role in defining both the character and pricing of the car.

What is the Price of Smart #1 in Nepal?

Smart #1 price in Nepal starts at Rs. 99.99 Lakhs and goes up to Rs. 1.10 Crores. There are two variants of the #1 available: Pro+ and Premium.

Internationally, the #1 comes in four variants: Pro, Pro+, Premium, and Brabus. However, the distributor has taken a more calculated route for Nepal. Instead of flooding the lineup, they have skipped the entry-level Pro and the high-performance Brabus, choosing to introduce the Pro+ and Premium variants instead.

Between the available variants, there is no difference in drivetrain or basic performance and the actual difference is present in driving range (minimal), ADAS depth, luxurious elements, and AC charging capabilities. We will look at them extensively in the following sections.

But, pricing remains the biggest question mark as even the starting price sits firmly on the higher side. While the premium can be justified by the overall package the #1 delivers, justification alone does not guarantee acceptance. Its real test will come from buyer response in the coming days.

Now, let’s have a quick look on the key specifications of the Smart #1 in Nepal for 2026.

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Smart #1 Overview

Exterior

The Smart #1 looks quirky without feeling unfamiliar, and much of that credit goes to Mercedes-Benz’s global design team. The designers apply their well-known Sensual Purity philosophy, while Geely’s SEA platform provides the right foundation for balanced proportions and efficiency. This combination clearly works, as the Smart #1 has already secured both the iF Design Award and the Red Dot Design Award.

At the front, the #1 carries a friendly and almost smiley expression. The smart logo sits just above the slim LED DRLs, which connect the two headlamp units and visually anchor the entire fascia. The compact bonnet adds to the charm (but also hides a 15-liter small frunk space), while the lower bumper houses the grille area with subtle skid plate elements peeking through. Nothing here tries too hard, and that restraint actually works in the car’s favor.

From the side, the design feels sharp and well resolved. It does not attempt to reinvent the wheel, nor does it stray far from familiar compact SUV proportions. However, the design engineering shows clear Mercedes-Benz influence in how cleanly the surfaces flow and how well the panels align.

The wheel arches house 19-inch alloy wheels, and while the size feels appropriate, the wheel design itself does not fully complement the side profile. It slightly disrupts the visual harmony. That said, opting for larger wheels proves to be the right functional decision, as it helps maintain a ground clearance of around 185 mm in unladen conditions, which is a healthy figure by local standards.

One subtle but important detail stands out. Except for the side mirrors, the body remains largely free of protruding elements. This smooth surfacing, combined with the rounded front face, allows air to flow cleanly around the car. Even the roofline curves gently over the C-pillar, helping air detach more smoothly at the rear. All of this contributes to better aerodynamic efficiency, even if it does not scream about it visually.

At the rear, the taillight design mirrors the front layout and neatly integrates the smart logo at the center. A rear window wiper is also present, which is less of a feature and more of an expectation at this price point. When you are spending close to one crore, not having one would be hard to justify.

The Smart #1 is offered in five exterior color options: White, Black, Blue, Red, and Silver.

Interior

The interior clearly shows where Smart #1’s priorities lie. The space utilization is genuinely impressive. Packing this level of room into a 4.2-meter-long car reflects smart packaging and clever platform design. Both the front and rear seats offer generous space, making the cabin feel open and airy.

However, that emphasis on passenger comfort comes at a cost. Boot space remains only average at 323 liters. Many EVs in this size category manage to offer more luggage capacity, and the situation worsens slightly in the Premium variant, which sacrifices another 10 liters to accommodate the upgraded audio system. From a pure utility perspective, this boot space may not fully satisfy buyers who expect practicality to match the premium positioning.

Moving to the cabin details, the differences between the two variants become more apparent. The Pro+ uses imitation leather upholstery, while the Premium upgrades to genuine leather. The Premium variant also adds driver seat memory and front seat ventilation, both of which the Pro+ misses out on. That said, both variants offer powered front seats with four-way adjustment for forward and backward movement, along with six-way adjustment for height and recline.

The dashboard design keeps things clean and modern. A dual-tone finish separates the upper section from the driver-focused area, while ambient lighting runs subtly across the surfaces. The layout avoids clutter and leans heavily on digital controls but we are used to this now.

At the center sits the 12.8-inch slidable infotainment screen, which manages most of the vehicle’s functions. Physical buttons are almost nonexistent, which looks sleek but may not appeal to everyone in daily use. The instrument cluster uses a slim 9.2-inch LCD display, and the Premium variant adds a 10-inch head-up display that projects key information directly onto the windshield.

Audio quality also differs noticeably between trims. The Premium variant features a 13-speaker Beats sound system, while the Pro+ makes do with a simpler six-speaker setup. On top of that, the Premium adds dual-zone climate control, a rear climate control panel, and a PM2.5 air quality sensor. With this feature spread, it becomes fairly obvious which variant the distributor wants buyers to gravitate toward in Nepal.

Finally, the interior is available in two theme options: Touch Duo and Meta Black.

Performance

Both variants of the Smart #1 are powered by a powerful 200 kW Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) and generates a max power of 272 PS and a max torque of 343 Nm. With such numbers, its compact size, and the rear-wheel drive setup should make it a pocket-rocket but the kerb weight is rather unbelievable, sitting between 1788 – 1800 kg, depending on the variant.

Having said that, it can manage a top speed of 180 Km/h and 0-100 Km/h in 6.7 seconds. So, kerb weight does not undermine the performance that much.

And the weight mostly comes from the battery pack. Both variants are supported by a 66 kWh NMC battery that provides 420 km and 440 km of WLTP-certified range (WLTP). We are not quite why is the Premium variant is able to post 20 km of extra range as compared to the Pro+ variant despite being 12 kgs heavier and sharing the same battery pack.

It is likely due to software calibration, or usable State-of-Charge (SOC) window, or efficiency tuning.

About charging, both variants can fully charge in around 10 hours with a 7.2 kW AC charger but the Premium variant can also be charged with a 22 kW charger which brings the time down to 3.5 hours. Moreover, both variants are able to charge from 10% to 80% in under 30 minutes with a 150 kW DC Charger.

In addition to these variants, there is also a “Brabus” model, which is focused on performance. It features all-wheel drive and a total motor output of 315 kW. But sadly, it won’t be coming to Nepal anytime soon. For reference, this version can also hit a top speed of 180 km/h but the 0 to 100 kmph sprint time is mind boggling, clocked at ~3.9 seconds.

Additional Features

Front McPherson and Rear Multi-link handle the suspension duties and based on the reviews we collected, the suspension is quite soft and handles potholes quite adeptly.

The dimensions are 4270 mm in length, 1822 mm in width, 1636 mm in height, and the wheelbase is 2750 mm.

The ground clearance of Smart #1 is 185 mm. But be advised, this is the unladen ground clearance, meaning it is when there is nobody sitting in the car or any cargo is loaded. The soft suspension can make the laden clearance a bit tight.

The biggest let down, as previously mentioned, is its boot space which is just 323 liters and even smaller 313 liters in the Premium variant. While it can be expanded with second row seats down to open up to 986 liters, the boot space remains the bottleneck in otherwise a dimensionally perfect compact crossover.

Smart #1 Features Highlight

Exterior:

• LED Headlights with Slim Strip DRLs
• 15-liter Frunk Space
• Panoramic Glass Roof
• 19-inch Alloy Wheels

Interior:

• Duo Leather Seats with Front Heated Seats
• 12.8-inch Slidable Central Screen
• 9.2-inch Digital Instrument Cluster
• 10-inch Head-up Display(Premium variant)
• 13-Speaker Sound System(Premium variant)
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Wireless Phone Charger

Safety:

• 5-Star Euro NCAP Rating
• Multiple Airbags
• ADAS
• Electronic Stability Control
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• 360 Degree Camera

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Smart #1 Price in Nepal and Availability

Coming to the price, Smart #1 price in Nepal starts at Rs. 99,99,000 for the Pro+ variant and goes up to Rs. 1,09,99,000 for the top-spec Premium model.

The Premium variant has demands an additional 10 Lakhs over the Pro+ variant due to its higher driving range, a more comprehensive ADAS suite, usage of more premium bits in the interior, higher AC charging capabilities (22 kW) and Vehicle-2-Load.

While it does justify the price difference between the two variants, the initial offering price of ~ 1 Crore is pretty steep and consumers might compare it extensively with other options as at this price point, there are plenty of heavy weights.

Interested individuals can visit the CG Motors showroom for additional information. The following table lists the Smart #1 price in Nepal for 2026.

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Rivals

This is where things get complicated. Should we evaluate the Smart #1 based on its price, or should we judge it strictly within its segment? Because depending on which lens you choose, the conversation changes dramatically.

Take the Premium variant, priced at Rs. 1.10 Crores. At that level, the Smart #1 does not compete with compact electric SUVs anymore. Instead, it walks straight into the territory of much larger and more high-tech and business-serious EVs. One such example is the Deepal E07, which sits in a similar price bracket.

The comparison immediately feels uneven. You are looking at a 4.2-meter-long compact crossover versus a vehicle that stretches beyond 5 meters. The E07 is larger in every measurable sense. It offers comparable power output, a significantly longer driving range, and even features like air suspension, which the Smart #1 does not attempt to match. From a purely spec-driven and value-oriented perspective, the gap becomes difficult to ignore.

This leads to the obvious question. How do you justify the pricing of the Smart #1 when buyers can get something far bigger, more feature-loaded, and objectively more capable for similar money? The answer lies in what the # series aims to represent. It focuses on modern design, compact proportions, urban friendliness, and premium branding rather than outright size or maximum value.

However, this philosophy may struggle to resonate with Nepali buyers. The local market continues to prioritize bang for the buck above almost everything else. Bigger cabins, longer range, and feature density often outweigh design purity or brand-driven positioning. In that context, the Smart #1 risks feeling expensive for what it offers, regardless of how well engineered or stylish it may be.