The Smart #5 is a distinctly different car from what you might expect from the German carmaker.
The truth is, Smart moved away from city-friendly microcars quite some time ago, now focusing on electric SUVs with technology from a joint partnership with Mercedes-Benz and China’s Geely.
Certainly, Smart is building up an armoury of electric cars for the premium market. The company’s line-up now consists of the Volvo EX40-rivalling #1 and the #3, which is more comparable to the Volkswagen ID 5.
But can it compete with its more established and popular rivals? We’ve driven one to find out…
The #5 is Smart’s latest car, measuring 4695mm long, 2169mm wide and 1705mm high. That puts it in equal standing to the Kia EV6 and, importantly, the Tesla Model Y. While it’s also similar in size to the Peugeot 5008, the Smart is a five-seater, not a seven-seater.
There are five trim levels: Pro, Pro+, Pulse, Summit Edition and Premium. Battery sizes depend on the chosen specification level, ranging in size from 76kWh to 100kWh. Our 100kWh test car has a range of up to 589km (366 miles), and an impressive maximum charging speed of 426kW.
Step inside the Smart and you will realise just how far the carmaker has deviated from its tiny cars of old. The cabin offers a huge amount of space, with more than enough head and legroom for almost anybody.
Material quality is very strong, especially compared to other Smart cars. Everything feels soft to the touch and premium, although some fake carbon fibre trimmings appear slightly cheap and tacky.
Inevitably, an over-reliance on the 13-inch touchscreen for the primary vehicle controls is a weak point, but Smart has responded to customer feedback from the earlier cars and made various functions – like the climate stack, ADAS and audio – quicker to access from the home screen, which helps to minimise eyes-off time. The driver assist functions themselves are irritating and distracting, but no more so than in any other new car, and easy enough to turn off.
Boot space (630 litres out back and up to 74 in the frunk), head room and oddment storage (there are 32 cubbies dotted around) are all strong suits. Overall, the Smart is on a par with cars from the class above for back-seat refinement.
The #5 comes with rear-wheel drive as standard. The entry-level Pro model produces 335bhp, while the Pro+ and Premium versions offer 358bhp.
Adding a second motor, available with the mid-range Pulse and off-road-focused Summit Edition trims, increases the peak output to a powerful 579bhp.
The top-tier Brabus boasts an astounding 637bhp, a figure consistent with the German tuner's reputation for creating formidable, high-performance vehicles.
Given previous experiences with new-age Smarts, we'd recommend sticking to the lower end of the range.
There's simply no scenario where a family car requires the nauseating, Lamborghini Urus-challenging 637bhp that this vehicle delivers to both axles.
Flooring it once in full-bore Brabus mode will likely be an experience you won't care to repeat.
In Comfort mode, the #5 defaults to rear-wheel drive, offering a promising glimpse into the performance of the non-performance versions during everyday driving.
The experience is pleasant, with smooth and predictable power delivery from a standstill, free from any unruly scrabbling or screeching.
Even at high cruising speeds, there's ample power available for effortlessly overtaking slower vehicles.
Although the Pro is the smallest model in the #5 range, it still offers an excessive amount of power for its intended use. Its single motor sends 335bhp to the rear axle, achieving 0-100kph (0-62mph) in 6.9 seconds.
Even a slight acceleration from a wet junction can easily activate its traction control, leading to a loss of momentum.
The Smart is mostly a comfortable car to drive. It performed well over cobblestones, speed bumps and rutted tracks, nicely isolating the cabin from the worst of the jolts and thuds and generally bolstering its appeal as a long-distance family haulier - a billing the #5 surely merits because of its sizzling charging speeds and maximum range of 369 miles.
It’s a huge car, though, and you will be fighting against its lane-keeping system on narrow back roads. It’s no clumsier to drive than its multitudinous rivals, nor is its ride more turbulent, despite the obvious effort its damping must put in to keep its weight in check.
While perhaps not an obvious B-road hero, it maintains its line with impressive resolution through hairpins, even without trick differential technology or especially sticky tyres. Despite being a heavy, high-riding vehicle, it also remarkably keeps body roll in check.
The Smart has lots of power and good standard equipment. However, the smallest battery only offers a range of 463km (288 miles). It’s also the only version in the range that uses a 400V architecture, so it is only capable of charging at speeds of up to 150kW.
We would argue the Pro+ is the more desirable option, with its 94kWh battery and 589km (366 miles) range and almighty 400kW top-ups thanks to an 800V electrical architecture. It gets a smidge more power and is 0.4sec quicker to 62mph too. Pulse and Premium are mechanically similar, but add more equipment.
Overall, the #5 is a more compelling "big Smart car" than the #1 and #3. While it faces a challenge in a competitive market segment due to its mainstream positioning, initial impressions suggest it is a cleverly packaged, refined, and distinctive vehicle. Furthermore, its size, technical specifications, and equipment levels offer good value.
