Sensible is again in Australia – however until you’re a member of Mensa, a number of the new applied sciences within the EV model’s new small electrical SUV vary could make you are feeling dumb.
I don’t consider myself as a genius, however I do reckon I do know a factor or two about new automobiles, having pushed hundreds of them over my profession.
However this was one of many solely automobiles I’ve ever examined that left me flummoxed by its completely complicated multimedia menu controls, unrelenting ‘superior’ security programs, and foolish “I want I used to be a Mini” makes an attempt at allure.
I’ll let you know extra about all of that on this evaluation of the Sensible #1 Premium, however there are additionally loads of promising issues in regards to the new compact electrical crossover.
How does the Sensible #1 evaluate?
View an in depth breakdown of the Sensible #1 in opposition to equally sized autos.
Sensible
#1
How a lot does the Sensible #1 value?
The #1 is competitively priced within the crowded small premium electrical SUV house, the place there are a number of gamers of about the identical measurement, vary, value and spec stage.
| Mannequin | Worth earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2025 Sensible #1 Professional+ | $54,900 |
| 2025 Sensible #1 Premium | $58,900 |
| 2025 Sensible #1 Brabus | $67,900 |
Some are even from the identical dad or mum firm, as Sensible is a tie-up between Mercedes-Benz and Geely, and the Sensible #1 rides on the identical platform because the Volvo EX30 and the bigger Polestar 4, in addition to the coupe-styled Sensible #3.
However I believe it represents sturdy worth for the cash, at lower than $60k earlier than on-roads for this Premium model on take a look at.
To see how the Sensible #1 strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
What’s the Sensible #1 like on the within?
The inside design has loads of wow issue, with a number of pretty supplies and funky finishes that make you are feeling such as you’re sitting in one thing a bit exterior of the norm. Let me simply say that the white plastic finishings gave me flashbacks to the Holden Volt (in a great way!).
As with different decisions on this phase, there’s a big media display screen and a compact driver data show, and there are some usability challenges with each.
The latter takes some studying as you must use the steering wheel controls to work together with it, and whereas you’ll get used to that a part of the system simply, the massive touchscreen is one other factor completely.
Possibly I’m displaying my age right here, however I don’t want a foolish fox avatar on the display screen, and I don’t want the menus to have cutesy bits. What I want (or desperately need) is easy controls that don’t take months to be taught. And whereas I didn’t have this automobile for a month, every week with it was sufficient for me to really feel very strongly in regards to the controls on provide – in a detrimental method.
It’s nowhere close to as simple to leap between menus or be taught the place issues are with this media system, which looks as if it was designed by a bunch of Android cellphone customers who assume it’s cool to cover controls behind different apps in secret envelopes.
I received’t dwell on it, as a result of it could add 1000 phrases to this evaluation. However you actually, actually need to go and sit in a Sensible and see for those who might stay with the way in which that the menus and shows are configured, as a result of this technique actually soured my expertise with the automobile.
Furthermore, whenever you drive the car, the security programs – that are managed via that touchscreen – default to on, and for those who don’t like being nannied and grannied about pace limits and supposedly being distracted, you’re actually going to seek out it a irritating expertise. Extra on that within the driving part.
Okay, so what in regards to the different components of the cabin?
Properly, you must do not forget that the shifter is the place you may normally discover a blinker, and the blinker and wiper stalk is on the left facet. And whereas that letterbox show for the driving force is likely to be a bit small, there’s additionally a head-up show to make issues simpler to see.
In the meantime, there’s an honest quantity of storage, with a coverable console space between the seats housing a wi-fi cellphone charger and USB-C ports, in addition to cupholders behind that and a coated bin with cooling, too. Not like different fashions, there’s no storage part beneath there, although.
There’s a affordable set of door pockets, a sun shades holder, illuminated vainness mirrors and a glovebox (with a traditional deal with), all of which helps enhance the practicality.
All variations get a big panoramic glass roof with a shade, which additionally ups the atmosphere – and up entrance, it’s a snug place to be.
Within the again there’s extra room than you may count on, too, due to its comparatively lengthy wheelbase and tall physique design.
Behind my very own 182cm/6’0” seating place I had a great quantity of house to wiggle my legs and toes, and I had inches to spare above my head, regardless of the massive glass roof. And there’s an honest quantity of width on provide too.
One quirky trick this automobile has is which you can slide the 60:40-split second-row seat forwards, which means you possibly can prioritise boot house for those who don’t want to make use of the again seats, or you possibly can extra simply take care of a younger one again there. In case you’re a dad or mum, you’ll know that you simply want that attain.
There are ISOFIX youngster seat anchor factors within the window seats and three top-tethers, and rear riders get directional air vents, USB charging ports, map pockets, a flip-down armrest with cupholders, and ambient lighting to accompany the soft-padded door playing cards.
Boot house is a sensible 421 litres, increasing to 986L with the rear seats folded flat. The load-in lip is a bit excessive, however there are extra mesh sections on the edges of the cargo zone, purchasing bag hooks and a halogen(!) mild again there, too.
Underneath the boot ground there’s some extra usable storage, nice for hiding your cables or different goodies, however you possibly can’t decrease the boot ground all the way down to make for a much bigger cargo zone as a result of configuration of the subfloor.
Moreover, there isn’t a spare wheel obtainable within the Sensible #1 – a tyre restore equipment must do the job. However there’s a entrance trunk (frunk) storage compartment underneath the bonnet for extra stowage. Certainly, that’s the place the tyre restore equipment was on this automobile.
| Dimensions | Sensible #1 |
|---|---|
| Size | 4270mm |
| Width | 1822mm |
| Peak | 1636mm |
| Wheelbase | 2750mm |
| Cargo capability | 421 litres (5-seat) 986 litres (2-seat) |
To see how the Sensible #1 strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
What’s underneath the bonnet?
The Sensible #1 has a number of variations throughout the grades, and the Premium mannequin examined right here looks as if the candy spot whenever you look on the spec sheet, with the identical battery capability as the opposite fashions, however higher AC charging and the perfect claimed effectivity of all three fashions, too.
| Specs | Sensible #1 Premium |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Single-motor electrical |
| Battery | 66kWh lithium nickel cobalt manganese |
| Energy | 200kW |
| Torque | 343Nm |
| Pushed wheels | Rear-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1800kg |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 6.7s |
| Energy consumption (claimed) | 16.7kWh/100km |
| Claimed vary | 440km |
| Max AC cost price | 22kW |
| Max DC cost price | 150kW |
On the subject of real-world effectivity, I noticed a displayed common of 18.3kWh per 100km, which is appropriate for a car like this, however inferior to a few of its rivals with much less energy.
Sure, the Sensible #1 has a heap of grunt, however that does come on the expense of the driving vary and effectivity.
To see how the Sensible #1 strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
How does the Sensible #1 drive?
If there was a method to get this automobile with out that irritating display screen and with out all of the bing-bong security expertise, I reckon I’d have favored the drive expertise a complete lot greater than I did.
That’s as a result of, basically, it’s a reasonably first rate factor to drive.
With a rear-wheel drive structure and a heap of energy and torque, this little crossover mannequin hustles whenever you want it to, with a likeable driving dynamic that makes it really feel extra involving and enjoyable than its front-drive rivals.
It steers decently, with predictable responses at excessive speeds and simple turnability at parking tempo, and whereas it’s a hefty little unit at 1800kg, it handles its weight nicely via corners, and it’ll genuinely make you smile.
There’s ample, if not mindblowing, urge from the electrical motor, and within the sportier drive mode you’ll get extra from the expertise, although it nonetheless feels a bit overcontrolled by the traction and stability programs, which might be for the perfect. Clearly, for those who actually need the quick one, you’ll get the Brabus anyway.
It’s not too dangerous when it comes to noise, vibration and harshness, however like all EVs, the dearth of an inner combustion engine inherently means it feels smoother and is extra silent in most situations. It may undergo some notable tyre roar on rougher surfaces, although, so be conscious of that for those who’re more likely to encounter coarse-chip roads repeatedly.
However truthfully, the largest bugbears are these security programs, together with the pace signal recognition, which appeared to assume that the majority 110km/h indicators have been truly 70km/h (a standard fault that’s extra noticeable in NSW as a result of design of our signage), and it incessantly chimes at you to observe your pace.
It is a severe annoyance if you realize what the bounds are (and, ahem, what you may have the ability to get away with) the place you’re driving repeatedly.
The opposite factor is the driving force monitoring digital camera system, which is among the worst examples I’ve encountered. Take a look at your mirror? You’re distracted. Dare look away? You’re distracted. Attend to your youngster? Oh, no you don’t!
It displays your eyes and can warn you to let you know what it thinks you’re doing is naughty. Sensible must smarten this tech up, as Mitsubishi did with the Triton, as a result of homeowners will get uninterested in it rapidly.
Together with most of the different programs, it defaults again on whenever you get again into the automobile. The online result’s that, for those who don’t like these issues, you don’t like this automobile.
Past that there’s additionally the cruise management system, which – for the lifetime of me – I couldn’t get to work as simply cruise management.
As a substitute, the automobile insisted on it being a wise cruise management system with adaptive acceleration and braking, and in addition steering help that repeatedly tugged on the wheel, sufficient to make me simply drive it with none cruise management in any respect.
Notice that there’s a method to disable that, you simply want to make sure that you employ the steering wheel controls to leap via the cruise modes (pilot help, adaptive cruise or pace limiter) whenever you activate it.
Actually, beneath this unfinished expertise there’s a great automobile to drive. However as a lot as I actually wished to love it, I couldn’t wait at hand it again.
To see how the Sensible #1 strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
What do you get?
As talked about above, I believe the Premium mannequin might be going to tick the bins for lots of shoppers when it comes to what you’re getting on your cash, and I believe it appeals most out of those three variants.
Sensible #1 Professional+ highlights:
- 19-inch wheels
- LED headlights
- Panoramic roof
- 12.8-inch infotainment display screen
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Powered tailgate
- Sensible pilot help
- 7.4kW AC charging
- 130kW DC charging
- Customisable ambient lighting
Sensible #1 Premium provides:
- Matrix LED headlights
- Leather-based upholstery
- Beats 640W sound system
- Warmth pump
- Automated parking help
- 10-inch head-up show
- 22kW AC charging
- 150kW DC charging
- 13-speaker Beats sound system
To see how the Sensible #1 strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
Is the Sensible #1 secure?
Because it launched in Australia, the Sensible #1 has been awarded the utmost five-star ANCAP security ranking.
| Class | Sensible #1 |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 96% |
| Little one occupant safety | 87% |
| Weak highway consumer safety | 70% |
| Security help | 94% |
These numbers are barely totally different to the EuroNCAP breakdown (96 per cent, 89 per cent, 71 per cent, 88 per cent respectively) as a result of ANCAP’s calculations in opposition to its personal standards.
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Freeway help
- Evasive manoeuvre help
- Lane maintain help
- Site visitors jam help
- Adaptive cruise management with cease/go
- Site visitors signal recognition
- Lane change help
- Automated parking help
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Rear auto braking (not on base mannequin)
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
- Encompass-view digital camera
The Sensible #1 has seven airbags, together with twin entrance, entrance centre, entrance facet and full-length curtain protection.
To see how the Sensible #1 strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
How a lot does the Sensible #1 value to run?
One of many large on-paper promoting factors of EVs is decrease operating prices. There are fewer shifting elements and that ought to imply much less value to take care of the car, proper?
Not the case right here, sadly… until you get a deal via a Sensible showroom, which appears potential primarily based on the promotional signage stating you could possibly get three years of free servicing included.
That may be a deal sweetener, as in any other case the said prices are excessive. For a four-year/80,000km servicing plan, the prices are $2445 for the Professional+, $2495 for the Premium or $3120 for the Brabus.
That’s a complete lot of money for a automobile with out many oily bits. At the very least the service intervals are beneficiant at 12 months/20,000km.
Past that you simply get a five-year/150,000km guarantee for the car, and an eight-year/150,000km guarantee for the battery that ensures a capability of 70 per cent by the tip of that interval.
Roadside help is included without charge, too, with 5 years of protection on provide.
To see how the Sensible #1 strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
CarExpert’s Tackle the Sensible #1
I actually wished to love the Sensible #1, however the longer I spent on this automobile, the extra I wished at hand it again. A few of the security programs are overbearingly annoying, and the useability of the infotainment display screen hinders its cute graphics.
Possibly you’ll get used to that stuff, or possibly you’ll find it irresistible. I do know there are many individuals who assume that having all of the tech and heaps of configurability is what issues most with a brand new automobile.
However for me, this was a extremely irritating automobile to evaluation, regardless of the very fact I favored its look, inside design and driving dynamics.
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