Late last year, Smart introduced the #5 as its largest model yet in the UK, expanding beyond compact city cars into the family electric SUV segment.
We recently spent time with the Smart #5 in the global-spec version to experience what it offers in terms of features, comfort, and design.
Design
The Smart #5 adopts a much more upright and rugged appearance than its smaller siblings. It combines clean surfaces with squared-off proportions, short overhangs and distinctive LED lighting signatures, giving it a modern SUV character rather than the rounded styling traditionally associated with the Smart brand.
Flush door handles, frameless doors and the available Panoramic Halo Roof contribute to a premium appearance, while CyberSparks LED+ headlights with Adaptive High Beam Assist are fitted to the Premium and Brabus variants.
Depending on the variant, buyers can also choose exclusive wheel designs ranging from 19 to 21 inches.
Interior
In international markets, the Smart #5 features a five-seat cabin that places a strong emphasis on technology and comfort. The dashboard is dominated by dual 13-inch OLED displays powered by Unreal Engine, while the driver gets a 10.25-inch Full HD digital instrument cluster. Premium and Brabus variants also receive an augmented reality head-up display.
Higher-spec versions offer a Sennheiser Signature Sound System featuring 21 speakers in total, comprising 20 speakers and one central rising speaker, along with Dolby Atmos support.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available, alongside ambient lighting with up to 256 colours, electrically adjustable heated seats and ventilated front seats on selected variants.
The boot offers 630 litres of luggage space, expanding to 1,530 litres with the rear seats folded. Front luggage storage measures up to 72 litres on rear-wheel-drive models and 47 litres on the Brabus versions.
The vehicle also features a one-button Comfort Mode that slides the front passenger seat forward while reclining the rear seat to create additional rear legroom.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Smart offers Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality and a dedicated Camping Mode with multiple bed configurations, allowing the cabin to be converted into a sleeping area for longer trips.
Experience in the Smart #5
I spent time in the Smart #5, in the regular version rather than the Brabus model, and it immediately felt far removed from the small urban Smart cars of the past. It still feels usable in the city, but this is now a sizeable, proper SUV. The frameless doors add a premium touch, and the front doors open very wide.
Getting in requires a slightly higher step because of the battery pack, but it was not unusual. For my UK size 11.5 shoes, the dead pedal and pedal box felt well designed. The electrically adjustable front seats, with the controls placed on the door, also add to the premium feel.
I liked the supple cushioning, good shoulder support, very good back support, adjustable headrests, strong side bolstering and very good under-thigh support.
The cabin feels genuinely upmarket. The large screen stretches across much of the dashboard, the steering wheel is well designed with contrast stitching, and there are adjustable cupholders and wireless charging pads.
I also liked the door armrest position and the seat moving back slightly to help egress. However, the front pillars are thicker than I would like, partly because of the speaker and trim pieces, so visibility is not perfect.
The rear seat is spacious and airy. I had more than 10 cm of headroom, helped by the huge panoramic glass roof and large windows. The rear backrest is electrically adjustable, though only for recline. Back and shoulder support are good, and the centre armrest has cupholders, a phone tray and a pass-through.
However, I sat slightly knees-up, under-thigh support could be better, and I had about 6 cm of knee room to the seatback. Rear amenities feel complete, with AC vents, a 60-watt USB charger and premium touch-operated reading lamps. Overall, it feels thoughtfully designed, quirky and far from a me-too product.
Specifications
The Smart #5 is available with both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive powertrains. The Pro produces 250 kW, while the Pro+ and Premium develop 267 kW. The all-wheel-drive Pulse delivers 432 kW, and the flagship Brabus produces 475 kW.
Peak torque reaches 710 Nm in the Brabus model. Performance varies accordingly, with the quickest version accelerating from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just 3.8 seconds. Top speed ranges from 180 km/h to 210 km/h (112 mph to 130 mph) depending on the variant.
Battery options include a 76 kWh (74.4 kWh usable) lithium iron phosphate pack and a larger 100 kWh (94 kWh usable) nickel-manganese-cobalt battery. The Pro offers a WLTP range of up to 465 km (289 miles).
The Pro+ and Premium increase this to 590 km (367 miles), while the all-wheel-drive Pulse and Brabus models deliver up to 540 km (336 miles) under the WLTP test cycle.
One of the Smart #5’s biggest highlights is its 800V electrical architecture. Models equipped with the larger battery support DC fast charging at up to 400 kW, allowing the battery to charge from 10% to 80% in under 18 minutes under optimal conditions, making it one of the fastest charging EVs in Europe.
The entry-level Pro variant supports 150 kW DC charging, achieving the same 10-80% charge in under 30 minutes. AC charging is rated at 11 kW on some variants and 22 kW on others, with a full 10-100% charge taking less than 8.5 hours or 5.5 hours, respectively.
At the tape, the Smart #5 measures 4,695 mm in length, 1,920 mm in width and 1,705 mm in height. It has a 2,900 mm wheelbase, and offers a maximum towing capacity of 1,600 kg.
Pricing
The Smart #5 is already on sale in the UK, with prices starting from £39,800 for the Pro model.
Trained as an automobile engineer, I’ve been following the global car market since 2005. Over the past 17 years, I’ve been involved in online automotive analysis and publishing, traveling the world to drive, evaluate, and experience new cars and technologies.
