Discover the Smart #5, the luxurious electric car that exceeds expectations with style and performance.
motor
Smart #5: The Electric SUV Revolution abc
Smart Fortwo was a small rear-wheel-drive car that was presented to the world at the Paris Motor Show in 1998 and introduced to the Danish market a year later. The car was a collaboration between Daimler AG and the Swiss watchmaker Swatch. It was not a great success in Denmark at a time when large SUVs were in the spotlight.
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Mine foreldre tar fra meg arv av en veldig vond grunn
In 2020, Mercedes-Benz and the Chinese Zhejiang Geely Holding Group formed a joint venture to revive the Smart brand. Geely owns, among others, Volvo, Polestar, and Zeekr. The German specialist Brabus was also part of the team, which has been voted the most popular tuning brand several times by the readers of the German Auto Motor und Sport.
In 2023, it was time for the first model of the new Smart in Denmark, the small electric SUV Smart #1. Shortly after, it was joined by Smart #3. Neither has been a success in Denmark. The sales figures have been negligibly low.
Read also: Smart is back in close collaboration with the world's coolest Mercedes specialist
Larger model and price drop
However, now comes the larger Smart #5, which simultaneously brings a price drop for the two smaller models. The price adjustment includes, among other things, that the Brabus version of #3 becomes about 130,000 kroner cheaper.
Driving a smart #5 is like driving a well-crafted premium car. It is based on the same platform as, for example, the Zeekr 7X, which we recently tested, yet it manages to offer a completely unique driving experience.
Perhaps not so strange actually, but many speak of the Zeekr 7X as "the car that Volvo should have made," but I would instead argue that the Smart #5 is the car that Volvo should have made.
In terms of design, I find that #5 is much more attractive than the 7X and definitely wins style points for this.
Read also: Test: Zeekr 7X: Beneath a fairly anonymous exterior lies a lot of power
Two versions
In Norway, the car is available in two well-equipped versions, Pulse and Brabus. The car in focus in this test drive is the top version Brabus. The differences between the two equipment versions are mainly related to driving impressions based on performance and steering feel.
Both versions have a 100 kWh battery (gross capacity), 540 kilometers of range, 800V technology, and a potential charging capacity of 400 kW. The trunk has a capacity of 630 liters - 1530 liters when the rear seats are folded down. Additionally, the #5 can tow a trailer of 1600 kilos. A detachable tow hitch costs an extra 17,107 kroner.
Incredibly fast, but good comfort
The Brabus version delivers no less than 646 hp and goes from zero to one hundred in 3.8 seconds. In short, it is incredibly fast, but handles well on the road, both on winding and curvy mountain roads in Portugal and on highway stretches.
In terms of comfort, you sit exceptionally well. That's the first thing I notice when I sit behind the wheel and set my favorite seating position. The seat adjustment is done via buttons on the door, in the best Mercedes-Benz style. Moreover, I like how the steering wheel feels in the hands.
The seating comfort in the back seat is also fine. The seats have a 60:40 split and the angle of the backrest can be adjusted electrically. The position of the seats ensures that your thighs rest well on the seat cushion and the legroom is generous. The panoramic glass roof, which is standard, contributes to a good sense of space.
The feeling of luxury is enhanced by the fact that the passenger in the back seat on the right side can press a button and move the front seat forward to increase legroom, if there is no one in the front passenger seat. With the child lock activated, the function is disabled.
Smart from Smart
The infotainment system is full of features and some detail for the gadget enthusiasts out there: For example, if you swipe with three fingers, you can move the selected screen between the three different screens.
The fact that there is a so-called "camping mode" sums it all up quite well. It means that the seats can be adjusted to form a bed - both double and single, according to Smart. Smart.
Feels luxurious
During the test drive, the thought keeps running through my mind that this might be the best-driving electric car I have tested so far. Then I compare it with cars like Volvo EX90, Zeekr 7X, and Peugeot E-5008.
In many cases, electric cars give the impression that money has been saved. In the case of #5, it is very different. The fact that I am driving an electric car fades into insignificance. It is a good car, period.
Compared to its older siblings #1 and #3, Smart is entering a busy market - the SUV segment. Smart sees market opportunities there in the future, and they do not intend to stay on the platform when the SUV train accelerates further, we are told in connection with the product presentation.
"Unashamedly good"
It's almost surprising how good the Smart #5 is. Surprising because it's easy to think that other car models in the Geely conglomerate should have taken the performance and quality feel.
A colleague summed it all up very aptly: "It is unashamedly good." It becomes even more interesting when you know that the Smart #5 is a sister car to, among others, Volvo, Zeekr, and Lotus.
If it had said Volvo on the front, it would have certainly helped with sales, and it is Volvo that should have made this car. It looks more like a Volvo than what Volvo itself does, but strangely enough, the Smart #5 is designed by Mercedes. Zeekr 7X impressed, but #5 is a step higher.
The article was originally published in Vi Menn no. 50 2025
