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Previously known for its quirky small cars, Smart has made a comeback with a 4.70 m long electric SUV packed with technology and power. It’s the fastest-charging electric vehicle in France. I spent a day driving the Smart #5 around the Douro Valley after a first static encounter in Germany a few weeks ago.
You can also watch a video review of this test drive below.
We drove for eight hours on highways, mountain roads, through Portuguese villages, and on expressways, piloting this new competitor to the Tesla Model Y. And yes, the era of Smart being synonymous with small cars is over. This vehicle is a D-segment SUV, even bigger than the Smart #1 and Smart #3, its smaller siblings.
Before I begin this review, it’s important to note that I have been driving a Tesla Model 3 daily since 2020. I have been looking for several months for a car to replace my current one, which has a “small” 50 kWh battery with a theoretical range of 409 km WLTP. The Tesla Model Y has strong appeal due to the practicality of an SUV, but this Smart #5 could potentially be a game-changer.
Technical Sheet
| Model | Smart #5 |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 4.695 m x 1.92 m x 1.705 m |
| Power (horsepower) | 363 horsepower |
| 0 to 100km/h | 6.5 s |
| Level of autonomy | Semi-autonomous driving (level 2) |
| Max speed | 200 km/h |
| Main screen size | 13 inches |
| Car-side plug | Type 2 Combo (CCS) |
| Entry-level price | 46,600 euros |
|
Try it out |
Product sheet |
This test drive was conducted during a press trip organized by the brand.
Design: A Bold, Sturdy, and Unapologetic SUV
It’s hard to believe this is a Smart vehicle. Measuring 4.70 m in length and 1.92 m in width (excluding mirrors) with a height of 1.7 m, the #5 competes with the likes of the Tesla Model Y and Volkswagen ID.4. It’s a D-segment SUV.
And it doesn’t even attempt to hide its proportions: the design is sleek, the surfaces are full, and the rear is almost squared off. It’s an SUV that flaunts its rugged look, and in my opinion, it works well. Yes, this is subjective, but objectively, it’s a refreshing change from the usual, without being over the top.
The grille is reminiscent of Jeep, featuring four vertical LED light signatures, while the profile more closely resembles a tamed Defender than a dynamic coupe. There are no tapering lines here: the Smart #5 embraces its build and character. It’s not great for aerodynamics (drag coefficient of 0.30), but it adds to the vehicle’s charm.
In its Brabus version, the most upscale and powerful, there are red accents everywhere, specific rims, and clearly visible red brake calipers. It’s bulky, somewhat flashy, and doesn’t quite match the vehicle’s rugged temperament.
It’s worth noting that Smart is now a joint venture between Germany’s Mercedes-Benz and China’s Geely. Mercedes handles the design and interior, while Geely takes care of the technical aspects (battery and infotainment, notably). The interior feels decidedly more “European” than other Chinese models, like the Xpeng G6.
Cabin: German Luxury Meets Chinese Spaciousness
From the moment the doors (with flush handles) open, the cabin impresses. It’s likely one of the most refined interiors in this price segment. Mercedes has clearly left its mark. Padded materials, Alcantara, stitching, carbon—all with a genuine sense of quality, even on the upper door panels, which remain plush.
In this Brabus version, you’re greeted by leather-alcantara seats, both heated and ventilated at the front, heated in the rear. Unfortunately, there are no massage features. However, comfort is definitely present: a high driving position, wide seat, practical armrests, and numerous storage compartments (including a ventilated compartment under the front armrest–a nice touch). And notably, there’s ample space in the rear.
Rear passengers can recline their seats, control the front passenger seat (like in a chauffeured vehicle for more legroom), plug in a laptop with a 60-watt USB-C port, and travel in comfort. One minor drawback: there’s no dedicated rear screen or separate climate control (it remains dual-zone).
The non-tinted glass roof heats up quickly, requiring the sunshade to be fully closed. This is a shame, as it significantly reduces the natural light, diminishing the spacious feel. The advantage, however, is a clearer view of the sky compared to a Tesla Model Y, which must tint its glass to eliminate the need for a sun visor.
When it comes to cargo space, there’s 630 liters in the back plus 47 liters in the front (all-wheel-drive version). The front trunk (frunk) expands to 72 liters in the rear-wheel-drive version, enough for a carry-on suitcase. It’s respectable, but not as much as a Tesla (822 liters + 117 liters). Logically, this model prioritizes rear passenger space.
This is what you call a Chinese car: more space in the rear for passengers than in the trunk. Why? Because in other parts of the world, customers are accustomed to transporting their parents or in-laws in the back, and they rarely go on long holidays with numerous suitcases. Indeed, I would have preferred 15 cm less legroom in the rear, but several hundred liters more in the trunk.
Infotainment: Finally, a System That Delivers
Infotainment was one of my main concerns before this test drive. Clearly, I was pleasantly surprised. Gone is the poorly designed and sluggish system of the earlier Smart electric cars: this one is smooth, readable, and powerful. It runs on an AMD chip with an Unreal Engine graphics processor (like in video games), and it shows.
The central screen (13-inch OLED) is highly customizable, the instrument cluster (10.25 inches) is comprehensive, and the passenger even gets their own 13-inch screen, with the ability to watch videos or play games during the drive, using Bluetooth headphones to leave the rest of the cabin undisturbed.
The head-up display is also a highlight, showing speed limits, current speed, and other map-related information directly without having to take your eyes off the windshield. The sound quality is excellent, featuring the optional 21-speaker Sennheiser system, with the central speaker unfolding as the car starts up.
The system feels like a hybrid of iOS and Android, with very practical shortcuts, well-thought-out touch gestures (like sending the GPS map to the cluster), and even a voice assistant (now in the form of a lion avatar) that responds to voice commands. It still lacks some apps (no Play Store to download additional applications), but Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are included.
It’s modern, geek-friendly, and much more user-friendly than what many competitors currently offer. Especially, Smart aims to provide as complete an experience in China as in Europe, with excellent translation and numerous features. However, European customers won’t have access to the external projector that allows movies to be shown on an external wall.
There is still a dog mode (like Tesla), but no sentry mode (the famous alarm mode of Elon Musk’s cars).
Driving Aids: A Serious Alternative to Autopilot
On the highway, the driving assistance system matches, or even surpasses, Tesla’s. Lane centering is smoother, you can shift to let a motorcyclist pass without deactivating everything (collaborative driving), and lane changes (manual or automatic via the turn signal) are well-handled. Once back in the lane, the system reactivates itself. It’s a solid level 2 of semi-autonomous driving, reassuring and without surprises.
The automatic parking mode also works convincingly, though it still hesitates a bit when the road markings are faded. An experienced human might park more quickly, but it’s a nice feature for those who dislike parallel parking. Note: There’s no LiDAR on the European versions, unlike in China, which might suggest fewer autonomous driving functions in the future. In China, Smart plans to introduce an additional level of autonomous driving with the Smart #5.
And for maneuvering this car through tight urban centers, the excellent 360° camera comes in handy. It allows you to see precisely where the front and rear wheels will pass, down to the centimeter. No more scratched rims! However, while the function activates at low speed or via the turn signal, accessing the front wheel view is cumbersome, requiring three clicks.
Route Planner: Promising, but Needs Confirmation
Smart has recently integrated an in-house route planner capable of estimating necessary charging stops and the battery level upon arrival. On paper, it’s reassuring, well-designed, and clear. We tested it theoretically on a Porto – Paris journey, with six charging stops (about 15 minutes each), starting with a 66% battery.
However, it’s hard to judge without actually undertaking a long journey. Nonetheless, the effort is appreciated, especially compared to Chinese manufacturers who often overlook this function in Europe, or implement it too sparingly.
On the Road: Comfortable, Powerful, but Not Sporty
The Brabus version features 475 kW (646 horsepower), a torque of 710 Nm, and a 0 to 100 km/h time of 3.8 seconds thanks to two motors. It’s certainly powerful. However, it’s not a sports car. The rear-wheel-drive version with a single motor already offers 267 kW (363 hp), a torque of 373 Nm, and completes 0 to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds.
The chassis, recalibrated for Europe, strikes a good balance between comfort and dynamism. It’s worth noting that the suspensions are set to sport mode for the all-wheel-drive versions, compared to a comfort mode for the rear-wheel-drive versions.
Unfortunately, Smart has decided not to offer air suspension in Europe, while it is available in China. It would have significantly enhanced comfort, especially on rough roads. But no car at this price point in Europe is equipped with this technology.
The steering is good, the body well-supported, and you can even indulge in some spirited driving, although the weight and center of gravity will quickly remind you to slow down. Regardless, overtaking is a breeze, especially with the Brabus version being tested.
A special mention for the one-pedal driving setting (one pedal), which is well-tuned and can be adjusted directly from the central screen. The overall maneuverability of the car is also appreciated, despite its dimensions. The turning radius of 11.20 m and the 360° view make it easy to navigate almost anywhere.
Battery, Consumption, and Charging: Unprecedented in France
Perhaps the most impressive feature is the battery. With a large 100 kWh capacity, the Smart #5 accepts up to 420 kW of power at a fast-charging station using 800-volt DC current. As a result, a 10 to 80% charge is completed in… less than 15 minutes (14 minutes and 40 seconds as seen during a demonstration). Yes, it’s better than Porsche, better than Tesla, and better than anything else on the roads in France.
Be aware: Smart officially announces 18 minutes in Europe (compared to 15 minutes in China). Why? Simply to avoid disappointing customers who might charge under less than optimal conditions (cold battery, slower charger, etc.). It’s a very unusual and inexplicable reason, as it downplays one of the car’s main selling points
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Maya Singh is a senior editor covering tablets and hybrid devices. Her work explores how these tools reshape digital productivity and learning. She also contributes to feature editorials on emerging tech.