Once upon a time, Smart was a brand that specialised in small city cars, but modern laws and market forces have coaxed the corporate right into a change of tack.
Not only are the present Smart #1 and Smart #3 compact electric SUVs way more family-sized than most of the products Smart has previously built, but the brand new 2025 Smart #5 really is a giant electric SUV.
Even though it looks smaller than most, it’s much the identical size because the Volkswagen ID.4, and it’s every bit as spacious inside, so it’s very different from the cars Smart was previously known for.
The query is whether or not the new-look brand can capture buyers’ imaginations in the identical way, and whether the #5 is capable of blending it with the more established products it wishes to challenge.
To seek out out, we headed to Portugal for the worldwide launch of the #5, where we tested a European-specification automobile in top-of-the-range, high-performance Brabus form.
Sportier styling and better power output aside, it’s little different from other variants within the range, and gave us opportunity to check out all of the #5 has to supply in every situation, from country roads and concrete streets to gravel tracks and highways, before the model’s Australian release.
How much does the Smart #5 cost?
Smart is yet to substantiate pricing for the #5 in Australia, but we’re expecting the mid-size electric SUV to begin somewhere across the $70,000 mark, or simply above the smaller #3.
We’re also expecting a fairly generous standard specification, with 19-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic roof and parking sensors on the front and rear all expected to feature.
That’s all going to take a seat alongside an enormous 13-inch infotainment touchscreen, a digital instrument cluster and dual-zone climate control, in addition to wireless phone charging, synthetic leather upholstery and over-the-air software updates.
What’s the Smart #5 like on the within?
Smart’s recent look is modern and clean, and that’s as true of the #5’s interior because it is of the outside styling.
So, you’ll find neat, rounded shapes and a comparatively button-free dashboard, with a straightforward three-spoke steering wheel and a lot of the controls living on the touchscreen.
And it’s a sizeable touchscreen, measuring 13 inches diagonally, complete with the newest software and a fast processor, in addition to Smart’s latest-generation voice assistant, which takes the shape of a lion avatar that prowls the menus.
In reality, a few of that stuff is a bit gimmicky, despite the cleverness of the technology, and the lion thing is a bit of distracting if we’re honest.
But it surely isn’t as distracting because the passenger display that’s fitted to a few of the more upmarket grades as standard in Europe, including the range-topping Brabus cars.
Whereas some brands put a form of polarising film on their passenger displays, stopping the driving force from seeing what’s there, there’s no such protection on the Smart’s system, leaving the driving force with every probability of rubbernecking at whatever film or game the passenger is playing.
It’s a pleasant idea, then, nevertheless it feels as if it needs a bit of refinement.
In fairness, though, Smart says the technology isn’t entirely complete and will probably be updated ahead of the automobile’s market introduction later this yr.
And while we are able to find faults with the 2 primary touchscreens, the responses are sharp, and even the touchscreen climate control system isn’t too difficult to regulate. On top of all that, we’ve nothing but praise for the head-up display and the digital instrument cluster.
We’re impressed with the cabin quality, too, which is every bit nearly as good as we’ve seen within the #1 and #3 models.
Many of the materials, with only a few exceptions, are remarkably good, including the seat upholstery and a lot of the plastics. Combined with the airiness provided by the glass roof, it makes the #5’s cabin feel decidedly upmarket.
However the overwhelming sense is one in all space. The room contained in the #5 is staggeringly good, with huge amounts of rear legroom and headroom, in addition to loads of space for those within the front.
It’s only a five-seater, which could disappoint some, but those five people can have loads of room. Even the center seat within the second row in all fairness comfortable.
Luggage capability is pretty good, too, with a 630-litre boot in all versions of the #5. Meaning it’s considerably more spacious than the boot in a VW ID.4, and that space is joined by a ‘frunk’ under the bonnet.
Exactly how big that frunk is will depend upon which version you select – the all-wheel drive cars get less space than the rear-wheel drive cars, but Smart reckons the usual rear-drive variant’s frunk is sufficiently big for the form of carry-on suitcase you see airline passengers using on daily basis.
We suspect it’ll probably be used for cable storage by most, nevertheless it’ll offer useful carrying capability nonetheless.
What’s under the bonnet?
Full specifications haven’t yet been confirmed for the Australian market, but in Europe the #5 will probably be offered with a selection of two different batteries.
| Specifications | Smart #5 Brabus |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Dual-motor electric |
| Battery | 100kWh li-ion NMC |
| Power | 475kW |
| Torque | 710Nm |
| Driven wheels | AWD |
| 0-100km/h | 3.8 seconds |
| Energy consumption (as tested) | 24.0kWh/100km |
| Claimed range (WLTP) | 539km |
| Max DC charge rate | 400kW |
There’s a base grade with a 74kWh unit which will or may not come to Australia, but we’re pretty confident the variants with the larger 100kWh battery will arrive on these shores.
They’re offered with a selection of either single-motor rear-wheel drive, or twin-motor all-wheel drive powertrains, each with various power outputs. The top of the lineup is the Brabus, with a generous 475kW from its two motors, but there will probably be a selection of less powerful options, too.
In Europe, for instance, the essential RWD version delivers 250kW, while there are also 267kW single-motor and 432kW dual-motor options below the Brabus. When it comes to efficiency, the single-motor models offer one of the best range, with even the smallest battery providing greater than 400km of range in accordance with the WLTP economy test.
And the dual-motor systems allow the front motor to be detached from the powertrain when it isn’t needed, reducing mechanical drag and thereby making it as efficient as possible. Even the Brabus will do greater than 500km on a charge, with the 100kWh rear-motor option managing 589km between trips to the plug.
How does the Smart #5 drive?
Even though it’s big and heavy – the Brabus version weighs roughly the identical as a Bentley Flying Spur V8– the #5 is a remarkably comfortable thing.
Smart has clearly designed the #5 with ride comfort in mind, and it absorbs bumps with surprising ease, even on massive 21-inch alloy wheels.
Admittedly, such large rims and such a bulky kerb weight mean the odd sharper imperfection within the surface will make itself known, nevertheless it’s generally excellent indeed.
And while that form of comfort would cause some cars to feel a bit soft and vague within the corners, the Smart handles pretty much.
The steering’s weight is sweet, and despite the fact that it feels a bit of artificial, it’s easy to place the #5 exactly where you wish it. And that’s useful when the automobile feels every bit as big as its dimensions suggest while you’re on the road.
Unfortunately, there’s a little bit of lean within the corners, which in a mid-range model could be forgivable given the comfort credentials, but feels a bit of disappointing within the Brabus.
We’re told the suspension settings are equivalent to other all-wheel drive #5 variants though, so it looks promising for the more popular mid-range grades.
Clearly, those versions is not going to be as fast because the Brabus, which has a frankly obscene amount of power for something of this size.
Yes, the automobile is heavy, but 475kW is unnecessary in something like this. Happily, the AWD powertrain is nearly able to coping with that form of power, and it enables stomach-churning standing-start acceleration that sees the automobile hit 100km/h in only 3.8 seconds.
No one must go that quickly, but even the bottom model, with 250kW and just the one electric motor, still gets to 100km/h in lower than seven seconds. With the quick response of an electrical powertrain, the automobile will probably be greater than punchy enough regardless of which version you select.
It’ll be quiet, too, with acoustically insulated glass that’s strikingly thick while you see its cross-section, meaning limited noise from the tyres or the wind. While it will not be quite as refined as some Mercedes-Benz luxury products, it’s definitely quiet enough to live as much as its semi-premium billing.
What do you get?
Smart Australia is yet to substantiate which versions of the #5 will come Down Under, but we all know the Europe-bound cars get a generous specification and a big selection of various trim levels.
2025 Smart #5 equipment highlights:
- 13-inch touchscreen
- 10.25-inch digital instrumentation
- Panoramic glass roof
- Driving modes
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Dual-zone air-con
- Satellite navigation
For Australia, we’re expecting a rather thinned-out lineup, perhaps with three or 4 different versions.
Is the Smart #5 secure?
The brand new #5 is yet to be crash tested either in Australia or in Europe, but Smart’s record to this point is sweet.
Each the #1 and #3 received five-star rankings after they were put through their paces by ANCAP, and Smart has kitted the brand new automobile out with plenty of normal safety equipment.
Higher still, the corporate has included a system that permits drivers to decide on their preferences for the driving force assistance technology, which could be something of an irritant in certain situations.
With Smart’s touchscreen, nevertheless, those preferences could be saved, allowing faster access to drivers’ preferred settings.
Safety equipment includes:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Lane-keeping assistance
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Automated and distant parking
- Adaptive cruise control
How much does the Smart #5 cost to run?
Every Smart currently sold in Australia comes with a five-year, 150,000km warranty, and we’re expecting the #5 to be no exception.
As with all electric vehicle, low running costs are one in all the #5’s big selling points, and there’s little question it’ll be considerably inexpensive to operate than a similarly powerful petrol automobile.
But alongside other EVs, it won’t prove quite so low cost. The battery is far larger than that of, say, an ID.4, so it’ll be costlier to charge, and it won’t go any further on a charge.
The difference won’t be huge, but other electric SUVs will – at the least in theory – be barely cheaper to run.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Smart #5
The #5 will not be anything like Smarts of old, but that’s no bad thing.
A reliable, likeable and comfy electric SUV, it’s a worthy rival to the likes of the Volkswagen ID.4 and Nissan Ariya, and it’s only just a few ergonomic shortcomings away from beating them.
Perhaps it isn’t essentially the most efficient thing on the road, but its fast-charging capabilities and its nice road manners greater than make up for that.
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This Article First Appeared At www.carexpert.com.au
