If anything’s inevitable in life, it’s change. The latest example? Smart, the brand Americans know for building tiny two-seaters, is launching a proper family crossover with some serious help from Geely. This is the Smart #5, and you can get it with a built-in projector, a sweet roof rack, and supercar-baiting horsepower. Quite the glow-up, yeah?
We previously featured the Smart #5 when it gained type approval from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, but it’s now officially been unveiled in production spec, which gives us a better look at this big new crossover. Big? Well, for a Smart, absolutely.
See, the Smart #5 comes in at 185.2 inches long, 4.3 inches longer than a Toyota RAV4 and just 3.6 inches shorter than a midsize Ford Edge. It’s also 2.6 inches wider than a RAV4 and right about the same height, meaning we’re a long, long way from city car status here. So how did we go from plastic-panelled two-seaters to a full-on family crossover?
Well, it all started when Mercedes-Benz realized that the city car niche wasn’t working out, and that the Smart brand was perhaps better used for Chinese EVs. Yep, this latest model is part of a joint venture with Geely, rides on Geely’s SEA3 platform, and is built in Xi’an, China. In fairness, it’s a great move by Mercedes-Benz, making use of Chinese electric vehicle expertise without having prejudice affect the main Mercedes brand in the West.
It certainly helps that the Smart #5 looks nothing like a Mercedes-Benz product. Up front, four additional lights and what appears to be a kitchen grater for a grille combine to create a down-road graphic that’s not conventionally attractive, but also not viscerally unpleasant. Sure, the greenhouse is a bit generic and the badge on the pillar is something we’ve seen from the likes of BMW before, but as far as compact crossover styling goes, this thing’s fine.
Actually, it gets better than fine should you tick the boxes for the Summit trim with the Adventurer’s Collection Package, the grand sum of which amounts to a light bar, a chunky platform roof rack, skid plates, D-pillar storage, a little ladder, and some side steps. Will the extra stuff in this spec affect range? Probably, but it has a properly neat look to it.
Moving inside the Smart #5, its cockpit looks great, even if the dashboard is tech-heavy. Sure, we might be looking at more screens than the average sim racing setup, but the surfacing on display is properly pleasing, especially the semi-circular passenger air vent that adds a dose of whimsy. A little bit of whimsy’s exactly what we need right now. Oh, and while two 13-inch touchscreens may seem excessive, the front seats lay down 121 degrees to form a sort of lounge area, so I reckon the tech works alright here in concept. Why not make every charging station a drive-in cinema? Oh, and if you want to take the party outside, a built-in projector and portable speaker ought to keep the good times rolling.
Alright, so if this thing’s the size of a family crossover and has enough toys to make most people feel poor, what’s actually under the sheetmetal? Well, a massive 100 kWh battery pack can feed either a single rear motor or dual motors, with the latter setup cranking out a whopping 638 horsepower. Yep, that’s C6 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 output in a Smart. What a time to be alive. As for range, the Smart #5 claims a considerable 460 miles on China’s extremely optimistic CLTC testing cycle, but that still ought to translate to plenty in the real world.
At this point, it goes without saying that the Smart #5 won’t make it to America, and it could be a relatively rare sight in Europe thanks to tariffs on Chinese-built EVs. That’s a shame, because it actually seems nifty as far as compact crossovers go. Okay, so we don’t know exactly what it’ll cost, but given how it’s expected to go on sale in China and Europe soon, we won’t be waiting long to find out.
(Photo credits: Smart)
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I’m not in the market for one, but it’s not bad looking at all (IMO). Some of the details are excessive, but the overall shape and proportion is pleasing to (my) eye. Of course, I wish they’d also offer a cheap/stripper version, with a fraction of the speed/range/horsepower at half the usual price. But of course, mfgrs never do that.
Smart. I remember becoming infatuated with Smart after reading the John Phillips-Car & Driver Smart Car Gen 1 drive in the Oklahoma pan handle story. Even strongly considered it over my current 2000 New Beetle TDI back in the late 2010’s. It was that existing semi-automatic transmission and need for the motor to drink high test premium gas that set me off from Smart. Sigh…… If only Smart had gone Diesel in the US under Penske ownership might we have had a different outcome for Smart; maybe it would have been a different, more lucrative story for Smart and Roger Penske.
I like this current version in it’s camper mode but alas, we’ll never see it here in the US.
“ If only Smart had gone Diesel in the US under Penske ownership might we have had a different outcome for Smart”
Nah… I test drove one of the diesel Smarts sold in Canada. And I’m guessing that in the US, most would have considered it too slow.
And it was slow… only 40HP. And a 0-60 time of 20 seconds… not helped by the crappy automated manual that made me wish it had a regular manual as I could have shifted faster and more effectively.
Plus I’m guessing the diesel would have had trouble passing California emissions.
I just wonder if you could get a smart roadster into this thing? or a crossblade? OK, some seats might have to go.
this is a good move and shows that smart is learning from it’s mistakes. All smart cars=small cars is dumb. just let the four-two be the itty bitty car and the rest can be “normal”
I’ve always had a soft spot for rear quarter emblems. Chevy Impala (RIP), BMW X2 (no longer has one), and pretty much every modern Maserati that comes to mind had one.
But yeah. It’s a nice exterior design. Reminds me of the older Land Rover Disco models, with modern Defender details grafted on.
What the heck is it with everyone copying Land Rover styling cues? It’s like half of all SUVs now.
When I saw the headline, I thought this was going to be a Mercedes Streeter-authored article.
And for some reason, when I see Thomas’ byline, my brain reflexively reads his last name as Hyundai. Maybe it’s time for me to see a neurologist.
Great looking car (with bad color) – wish it was available in the states!
I really like this thing, even if it does have a Widdle Wadder https://www.reddit.com/r/4Runner/comments/foyztk/widdle_wadder/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
Smart ForFive?
Wait, smart is still around?
Huh.
Only in Europe and China at this point. Apparently, a new Fortwo is coming!
Do people in China hang out in their cars and watch movies?
If so, do they remain in the same seat or switch seats often.
What! Thomas! How did you steal this report from Mercedes?
Anyways, I am sure that this will sell okay, but I wonder truly how well, because it is fighting against some big names there.
I was writing about a Hot Wheels car. 🙂 Next up, a taillight article from David and a Jeep article from Jason!
Okay, not really, but that would be funny.
They should have a reversal day, SWG can write about rebuilding a Holden, while Laurence writes about finding a Suzuki Esteem in the junkyard.
I would love that. Hmmm…I’ll take the role of the Bishop!
I’ll wait for Adrian’s UK version of the Shitbox Showdown while Mark regails us with the most creative PNW slanderous insults.
Ive repeatedly thought we need international versions of shitbox showdown every once in a while. I have no idea what goes for $5K US over in the UK or down under. And I am pretty sure I need to know that.
I believe either Lewin or Lawrence (Lewence?) did an Aussie SS when Mark was in the middle of his cross-country move a month or so ago.
But yeah, it would be cool if they did this on a once or twice a month basis.
I like what I’ve seen of the #5 and disappointed it’s not coming here. I’d have given it another name, though. Toyota already has the 86 name locked up, but given its size, I think it would’ve been appropriate to call this the ‘Max Smart.’ Sorry about that, Chief.
Missed it by that much…
Am I the only one seeing an EQB clearly in these pics?
they are both mercedes probably a lot of shared platform.
My first thought as well – tho oddly, the EQB is a couple inches shorter in length.