There’s no doubt that car brand Smart has built its name on small city cars, but now it’s trying its hand at the hugely competitive mid-size SUV segment with this new all-electric Smart #5. It’s the largest, most practical and, supposedly, most versatile model the brand has made to date.
The #5 Smart measures 4,705mm long, around 50mm longer than key rivals, while a 2,900mm wheelbase helps provide plenty of interior space.
Designed by Mercedes-Benz, the Smart #5 has a much boxier and more rugged look than the smaller Smart #1 SUV, as well as a unique lighting design. But, there are some shared features, such as the very short overhangs at the front and rear, the frameless doors, and the panoramic glass halo roof. A unique feature of the #5 is the floating wheel caps that allow the Smart logo to remain upright when the wheels are in motion, just like they do on a Rolls-Royce.
Total technological cabin
Inside, the Smart #5 is packed with screens, including a 10.3-inch ultra HD driver display and two 2.5-inch 13-inch AMOLED displays on the dashboard. There’s also a 25.6-inch augmented reality head-up display. On board, there’s a Sennheiser sound system, with a peak power of more than 2,000 watts, and there’s a generative AI voice assistant that Smart says can answer almost any question.
The cabin features a total of 34 storage compartments, and all seats can be folded down to create space for a makeshift bed. With the rear seats folded down, luggage capacity increases to 1,530 litres, with an additional 72-litre storage compartment under the bonnet.
Technical details on the Smart #5 are fairly scarce at the moment. We know it’s powered by a 100kWh battery, offering a range of over 740km on China’s CLTC test cycle, but a European WLTP figure hasn’t been confirmed yet. Smart claims a 10-80% charge is done in 15 minutes, thanks to the #5’s 800-volt architecture and super-fast charging feature.
Performance figures for the Smart #5 have not yet been announced, but information about the model that leaked online earlier this year indicates that buyers will be able to choose between single- or dual-motor powertrains.
The range includes two single-engine variants producing 335 PS and 386 PS, a dual-motor version with all-wheel drive and a combined output of 579 PS, as well as a high-performance flagship, offering up to 637 PS.
The price of the new Smart #5 also remains secret for now, and will be announced when the model is available in early 2025.
