smart #5

Model Overview

The smart #5 (officially marketed in China as the "smart Elf #5") is the largest and most powerful all-electric and plug-in hybrid mid-size SUV in the history of the smart brand, underpinned by Geely's Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA). Since its global debut in August 2024, the model has been launched concurrently across multiple markets including China, Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania, maintaining a unified global nameplate without regional name variations. As of May 2026, the smart #5 offers two powertrain options worldwide: pure electric (BEV) and the EHD Super Hybrid (PHEV). In China, the EV variant debuted with a price range of RM229,900 to RM368,000, while the EHD plug-in hybrid version is priced from RM189,900 to RM239,900 (with a limited-time promotional price of RM169,900 to RM219,900). In terms of dimensions, the EV measures 4,705 mm in length, 1,920 mm in width, and 1,705 mm in height (the EHD version stands slightly taller at 1,710 mm), riding on a 2,900 mm wheelbase in a five-seater layout. Serving as smart’s first mid-size SUV and flagship offering, it combines Mercedes-Benz design with Geely’s platform and EV powertrain technologies, shouldering the strategic mission of transcending the brand's traditional "microcar" image and taking on the premium new energy vehicle market.

Design Language

Penned by the Mercedes-Benz global design team, the smart #5 embraces a rugged, boxy styling language defined by sharp, muscular lines—a bold departure from the brand's historically curvaceous aesthetic, marking a dramatic evolution in smart's design direction. Up front, it features a closed-off grille flanked by a dual-tier staggered LED headlamp cluster, fusing retro character with high-tech appeal. The exterior proportions leverage the EV platform's short front and rear overhangs and elongated wheelbase, combined with a flat roofline and chunky wheel arches to evoke an adventurous, outdoor-ready lifestyle appeal. Round back, the full-width 3D floating LED tail lights echo the front fascia, while the letter "a" in the rear smart badge discreetly houses the physical boot release button—a clever Easter egg true to the brand's quirky heritage. In 2025, the vehicle bagged the prestigious German Red Dot Product Design Award, marking the third consecutive year a smart model has claimed this accolade following the smart #1 (2023) and #3 (2024).

Inside, the cabin retains smart’s signature capsule-inspired rounded motifs, headlined by dual 13-inch 2.5K AMOLED displays and a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster that form a 5-screen interconnected digital cockpit. The wraparound multi-tiered dashboard boasts an impressive 85% soft-touch surface coverage, complemented by genuine oak wood veneer and Nappa leather upholstery, delivering class-leading fit, finish, and tactile quality.

Powertrain and Performance

Globally, the smart #5 is offered with both pure electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains. The BEV model is built on an 800V high-voltage electrical architecture (the entry-level Pro variant utilizes a 400V system) in either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. The base Pro variant is powered by a rear-mounted single motor churning out 250 kW (340 PS) and 373 Nm of torque, completing the 0-100 km/h century sprint in 6.9 seconds; it draws power from a 76 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack delivering a WLTP-rated range of 465 km. The Premium Long Range variant bumps motor output to 267 kW (363 PS) and gets a 100 kWh ternary lithium battery pack good for a 590 km WLTP range; thanks to its 800V architecture, it supports up to 400 kW DC fast charging, juicing from 10% to 80% state of charge (SoC) in just 15 minutes. The flagship BRABUS performance variant features a dual-motor AWD setup producing a monstrous 475 kW (646 PS) and 710 Nm of torque, sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in a blistering 3.8 seconds, also benefiting from 15-minute 800V ultra-fast charging.

The EHD Super Hybrid variant adopts Geely's next-generation Leishen EM-i 2.0 hybrid technology, pairing a 1.5TD dedicated hybrid engine (boasting 47.26% thermal efficiency) with a 200 kW permanent magnet synchronous motor and a 3-speed dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT). The system dishes out a combined output of 320 kW, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds. Equipped with a 41.6 kWh CATL-sourced LFP battery, it delivers a CLTC pure electric range of 252 km and an astounding total cruising range of up to 1,615 km on a full tank and full charge. In a depleted-battery state, fuel consumption is rated at just 4.4 L/100 km, with a 30% to 80% DC charge taking merely 20 minutes.

Chassis and Handling

Under the skin, the chassis employs a front MacPherson strut and rear five-link independent suspension setup, striking a fine balance between dynamic responsiveness and rear-seat ride comfort. The rear multi-link geometry optimises tyre-to-road contact for superior cornering stability and tracking. Power is sent to either the rear wheels or all four wheels depending on the variant, with AWD models equipped with an intelligent torque distribution system that continuously optimises traction across varying road surfaces. The turning radius is rated at an agile 5.6 metres, complemented by front and rear ventilated disc brakes and an electronic parking brake (EPB). The suspension is tuned on the firmer side, soaking up smaller road imperfections with composure and maintaining solid high-speed stability, though the rear axle can feel slightly taut over larger speed humps when unladen.

Cabin and Equipment

The smart #5’s intelligent cockpit is driven by an AMD V2000 desktop-grade processor (outperforming Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8295), orchestrating dual 13-inch 2.5K AMOLED central and front passenger touchscreens, a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a massive 25.6-inch AR-HUD to create a 5-screen interactive ecosystem. The infotainment system integrates the Doubao AI large language model, supporting natural voice interaction and seamless multi-display content sharing; higher trims gain the "Crystal Prism" HMI interface and the lion-themed virtual assistant, Leo. Audiophiles are treated to a 20-speaker Sennheiser Signature Sound bespoke surround audio system (complete with an acoustic pop-up centre speaker) with 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos decoding. Seating appointments in top-tier variants include front zero-gravity seats (121° recline with integrated heating, ventilation, and an 18-minute massage routine) alongside heated rear seats. Boot capacity spans 625 to 1,525 litres, and thanks to the generous 2,900 mm wheelbase and an 85% space efficiency rating, the cabin houses 32 practical storage cubbies, with a completely flat rear floor further enhancing passenger comfort.

Safety and Driver Assistance

On the safety and ADAS front, top-spec smart #5 variants are armed with the smart Pilot Assist 3.0 suite, backed by a comprehensive hardware setup comprising 1 Hesai LiDAR, 12 cameras, 5 millimetre-wave radars, and 12 ultrasonic sensors, powered by dual NVIDIA DRIVE Orin X chips delivering 508 TOPS of compute. This enables mapless highway and urban navigation smart pilot (NSP), LPA memory parking, and full-scenario automated valet parking. Base variants still come generously equipped with full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane centring assist, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), and a 360-degree surround-view camera, achieving Level 2+ semi-autonomous driving capability.

Passive safety is equally comprehensive, with 7 airbags fitted as standard across the range, including a class-rare front centre airbag to prevent front occupants from colliding with each other during an impact. Standard active chassis features include cornering brake control with brake-based torque vectoring, electronic stability control, and a camera-based driver attention monitoring system. The body shell utilizes a high-strength cage structure made of steel-aluminium hybrid materials, while the battery pack has cleared stringent crash power-off and thermal safety tests to satisfy global regulatory standards.

Market Performance and Reception

Commercial performance for the smart #5 has proven to be a mixed bag post-launch. In China, the EV variant registered modest sales of 204 units in September 2025 and 174 units in October; even after the EHD plug-in hybrid was introduced in November, total monthly sales across the lineup reached only 718 units, remaining in low three-digit territory and lagging well behind mainstream segment rivals. Overall, smart's annual domestic sales in China stood at around 27,000 units in 2025, representing a 6.9% year-on-year decline following consecutive months of negative growth. In contrast to its home market, the smart #5 continues its global rollout, having been introduced in the UK, Germany, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and the UAE, among other regions. In Germany, pricing kicks off at €45,900 for the base trim, €50,900 for the Premium, and €56,900 for the flagship BRABUS. In the UK, guide prices start from approximately £39,800, while in Malaysia, the duty-free price is set at RM199,800 for the Premium variant and RM249,800 for the BRABUS.

From an industry standpoint, the smart #5 has drawn praise for its bold boxy silhouette, generous cabin space, versatile dual-powertrain choices, and the solid joint backing of Mercedes-Benz styling and Geely engineering. However, market analysts widely agree that in China, the model continues to grapple with brand premium pressures, ambiguous positioning, and fierce price competition, resulting in sales that fall short of its engineering and design pedigree. In a March 2026 review, Top Gear remarked that while the #5 is exceptionally roomy, comfortable, and well-appointed with quality materials, the brand's heritage is deeply rooted in compact agility rather than practical family haulers; sporty driving dynamics are not its primary forte, meaning prospective buyers should carefully assess their actual usage requirements. All told, as a pivotal turning point in the brand's reinvention, the smart #5 has earned global design and technical recognition, but it will need sustained market cultivation and sharper positioning to prove its long-term strategic viability in mainstream passenger car segments.