Smart #3 review
The Smart #3 is a practical coupe-SUV that’s great to drive but not without some annoying issues
Our opinion on the Smart #3
The Smart #3 is an unusual and intriguing choice in the vast electric SUV market. It exterior and interior design certainly help it stand out, but the driving experience is arguably the #3’s greatest asset. The core models are keenly priced, too, although we have our doubts over general build quality.
We’re also not entirely sure whether there’s much point in the performance-focused Brabus variant. It’s undeniably quick, but it’s also seriously expensive compared to the rest of the line-up.
About the Smart #3
The Smart #3 was the second car to be unveiled by the revamped Smart brand. It’s a fully electric model that sits towards the lower end of the mid-size coupe-SUV pricing scale. It’s also one of the smaller options in this sector.
The line-up consists of four trim levels: Pro, Pro+, Premium and Brabus. All but the base car being powered by a 66kWh battery while the Pro gets a smaller 44kWh unit. Underneath every #3 you’ll find the same Geely-sourced platform as the Volvo EX30.
We’ve put the Smart #3 through its paces on many occasions since it first arrived in the UK, and these included a full road test of the Smart #3 Brabus. We couldn’t argue with the level of power on offer in this car, but it wasn’t anywhere near as engaging to drive as we’d hoped.
Performance & driving experience
Pros |
|
Cons |
|
Both the #1 and #3 sit on the brand’s Sustainable Experience Architecture or SEA for short. This platform comes from Smart’s parent company, Geely and can also be found under the Volvo EX30. Aside from the dual-motor Brabus, every Smart #3 has a single-motor on the rear axle which provides 268bhp and 343Nm of torque.
Used - available now
2024 Kia
EV6
36,555 milesAutomaticElectric
Cash £20,200
2024 SEAT
Leon
29,027 milesAutomaticPetrol1.0L
Cash £14,876
2023 Peugeot
E-2008
29,252 milesAutomaticElectric
Cash £12,697
2021 Renault
Arkana
50,335 milesAutomaticPetrol1.6L
Cash £12,197From our time with the closely related Volvo EX30, we expected the Smart #3 to be pretty competent yet calm from behind the wheel. Smart, however, has somehow managed to deliver a genuinely enjoyable driving experience with this #3 that exceeds our expectations.
The Smart #3 immediately feels sleeker than the Smart # #1 with a lower, more driver-focused seating position. Smart has also stiffened the springs and dampers, so the ride is a little firmer than in the #1, too.
Like most EVs, the initial punch of the regular models is super impressive and it feels like none of the rear motor’s 268bhp is going to waste through the rear tyres, which are pretty wide for a mainstream electric car. It’s obvious when the power tails off at higher speeds but overall the acceleration is smooth and linear throughout.
There are a selection of driving modes to choose from: Eco, Comfort and Sport. However, we didn't notice any drastic changes to the driving experience when we tried them out.
The Brabus version adds an extra motor into the mix to produce 422bhp and 543Nm that’s transferred to all four wheels. While this obviously aims to create a more performance-focused driving experience, we didn’t find it particularly fun to drive during testing.
This model’s acceleration is certainly impressive, but we think you’d get tired of this party piece pretty quickly. Bigger brakes and stiffer suspension don’t equate to better feel behind the wheel, either, and that extra motor on the front axle adds an extra 100kg to the weight of the car. There’s a tremendous amount of grip, but the Brabus is very much a point and squirt sort of car, rather than showing the agility to make corners fun.
| Model | Power | 0-62mph | Top speed |
| #3 Pro | 268bhp | 5.8 seconds | 112mph |
| #3 Premium | 268bhp | 5.8 seconds | 112mph |
| #3 Brabus | 422bhp | 3.7 seconds | 112mph |
Electric motors, 0-60mph acceleration and top speed
Every standard model, regardless of its battery size, goes from 0-62mph in 5.8 seconds. The Brabus has almost supercar-like acceleration, taking just 3.7 seconds to complete the sprint. Every #3 is limited to a 112mph top speed.
Town driving, visibility and parking
The Smart #3 is similar in size to a family hatchback, so it doesn't feel too bulky in the narrower city streets. The throttle pedal can seem a bit too eager at times, though, so pulling away in stop-start traffic isn’t always the smoothest experience. Every car comes with a 360-degree camera for easy parking.
One thing we’re not huge fans of is the brake regeneration system, which feels laboured in the all important transition between accelerator-pedal lift-off and the recuperation kicking in. The ‘E-Pedal’ mode is meant to provide a stronger braking sensation, but it’s still not quite one-pedal driving.
Country road driving and handling
Despite weighing in at a not insignificant 1,710kg, there’s some fun to be had with the #3 in the bends. With slightly vague steering, there’s a little bit of guesswork to be done when you do decide to throw it around. There’s not much adjustability in the steering but body roll is well contained, and while the initial bite from the brakes could be sharper, there’s a rhythm to be found with the Smart. In a lot of ways it reminds us of the MG4, which is no bad thing.
Squeeze the throttle and the #3 feels decidedly rear-driven in the bends, especially if you turn off the electronic stability control. Traction control is never fully off in the #3 but if you’re keen with the throttle you’ll find a little bit of slip from the rear.
Motorway driving and long-distance comfort
Ride comfort levels are generally decent, although tyre roar is more noticeable on rougher road surfaces than we’d like it to be. The suspension also seemed to clatter around on poor surfaces. That being said, we don’t think the firm feel is enough of a dealbreaker to steer you away from the fabulous-looking 19-inch monobloc-style alloy wheels. Wind noise is kept to a minimum, even at higher speeds.
Range, charging & running costs
Pros |
|
Cons |
|
There are two batteries offered in the Smart #3. The entry-level Pro trim comes with a 49kWh (47kWh usable) unit while the pricier cars get a larger 66kWh (62kWh usable) pack.
Smart claims a WLTP combined driving range of up to 283 miles in the Smart #3, and that is achieved by the Premium model which comes with a heat pump as standard.
The slightly cheaper Pro+ isn’t too far behind with a 270-mile range, while the heavier, performance-oriented Brabus makes do with 258 miles.
A 3.6kWh efficiency figure is claimed for all of the 62kWh battery models (Brabus aside), which isn't bad for this size of car. The Smart’s sleek, curvaceous bodywork most likely helps it from an aerodynamic perspective and during our own testing we got pretty close to the with a real-world average of 3.5kWh. However, no Smart #3 is able to get anywhere near the Peugeot E-3008’s 435-mile headline figure.
Those who opt for the base Pro model with its smaller battery will only see a WLTP combined range of 202 miles, which isn’t really anything to write home about on today’s market. Again, the Peugeot E-3008 outshines the Smart here as that car achieves up 326 miles in its entry-level spec.
You can top-up the 49kWh and 66kWh batteries from 10 to 80 per cent in around 30 minutes. The smaller pack will take up to 130kW of charge, while the larger one will take up to 150kW.
If, like numerous EV owners, you charge up using a 7.4kW wallbox charger at home, the smaller battery pack will take up to 7.5 hours to fully recharge. The larger capacity battery will take up to 10 hours.
| Model | Battery size | Range | Insurance group |
| #3 Pro | 49kWh (47kWh usable) | 202 miles | 33 |
| #3 Premium | 66kWh (62kWh usable) | 283 miles | 36 |
| #3 Brabus | 66kWh (62kWh usable) | 258 miles | 41 |
Insurance groups
Smart is working to establish itself as a premium brand and this unfortunately shows when it comes to insurance. The #3 sits in the relatively high groups of 33 to 41 (out of 50). The Peugeot E-3008, on the other hand, resides in groups 32 and 33.
Tax
Despite Smart’s upmarket ambitions, the Smart #3 manages to fly below the £50,000 electric luxury car tax radar, although the Brabus does come within a few thousands pounds of it. By avoiding this particular surcharge, owners only face the standard rate of VED road tax.
Business buyers also benefit from the lowest applicable rates of company car tax, as is the case with electric cars under the current rules.
Depreciation
Smart is quite a long way from being described as a mainstream brand in the UK, but the #3 puts up a slightly stronger fight against depreciation than some of its better-known competitors. Our market data shows that this coupe-SUV should retain between 41 and 42 per cent of its original value after three years or 36,000 miles. However, the Peugeot E-3008 only manages 37 to 39 per cent.
Interior, design & technology
Pros |
|
Cons |
|
You might think the sleek exterior and eye-catching interior of the #3 wouldn’t look out of place within Mercedes’ range of all-electric cars and there’s a good reason for that. Smart is owned by Chinese firm Geely and partly by Mercedes, too. Mercedes’ Chief Design Officer, Gorden Wagener, even signed off on the #3’s design.
This is no bad thing, it gives the Smart a premium look which is backed up by a spacious, airy cabin.
Interior and dashboard design
The curved exterior design is carried over to the inside, where pretty much everything is round. While it follows a minimalist layout, the #3’s interior certainly isn’t dull.
Technology is a strong suit of the #3 with wireless smartphone charging, heated front seats, four USB ports and a 360-degree camera all standard. The Premium seems like it’s worth the extra outlay with its uprated sound system, head-up display (which we didn’t find intrusive) and heat pump. The ambient lighting seemed a bit ostentatious because the speakers on the A-pillar were backlit and were pretty noticeable even from outside the car.
Materials and build quality
Unfortunately, the #3’s interior all feels a little superficial once you prod around inside. During our time with the car a rattle from the centre console seemed only fixable by having the storage lid in the up position, and the plastics dotted around the cabin felt flimsy.
Infotainment, sat-nav and stereo
The 12.8-inch central screen and 9.2-inch instrument cluster (standard on all models) both have a great resolution, but we found them slow to respond, and in a couple of instances the sat-nav froze completely while driving. That infotainment system is a real chore to navigate, too, with a main menu overburdened with menus and apps. We have a feeling most will exclusively use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto instead.
Boot space & practicality
Pros |
|
Cons |
|
While a number of coupe-SUVs sacrifice space in the quest for additional style, the Smart #3 manages to provide plenty of space for all of its occupants. However, if there’s one space where this car is lacking in capaciousness, it’s the boot.
Even though the Smart #3 is a mid-size SUV, the location of its battery pack means there’s less boot space here than you’ll find in a Volkswagen Golf hatchback. The Peugeot E-3008 is massive in the boot area compared to the Smart.
Dimensions and size
The Smart #3 is one of the smaller mid-size coupe-SUVs on sale, electric or otherwise. It’s shorter and narrower than a Peugeot E-3008, though it does have a slightly longer wheelbase.
| Dimensions comparison | |||
| Model | Smart #3 | Peugeot E-3008 | Skoda Elroq |
| Length | 4,400mm | 4,542mm | 4,488mm |
| Width | 1,844mm | 1,895mm | 1,884mm |
| Height | 1,556mm | 1,641mm | 1,625mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,790mm | 2,740mm | 2,765mm |
| Boot space | 370 litres | 588 litres | 470 litres |
Seats & passenger space
The Smart #3 is longer, wider and lower than the #1, but you wouldn’t think that when sitting inside. This is because there’s loads of room both up front and in the back seats, along with plenty of cabin storage with large door bins and a spacious centre console.
The relatively low dash in the #3 means forward visibility is great. The shape of the rear window means you have a slightly narrower rear view than you’d like, but it’s no deal-breaker. We also found the seats to be perfectly comfortable with their man-made leather upholstery. The Brabus gets the same shape seating with extra ‘B’ logos and a microfibre finish.
Boot space
A 370-litre boot is a mediocre size considering there’s an electric motor beneath it, but it’s tiny when compared to the Peugeot E-3008’s 588 litres. There’s a bit of a lip to the Smart’s boot as well, but the #3 does have a false floor that you can raise to make this completely flush. There’s also a storage area for cables underneath.
Premium trim receives a gesture-control bootlid, although our test car’s only managed to open half way when using this feature. The sloping shape of the roofline means large dogs may not be well-suited to the Smart #3’s boot.
Reliability & safety
Pros |
|
Cons |
|
Euro NCAP tested the #3 in 2023 and it received the full five star rating. This is one area where the Smart defeats the Peugeot E-3008, as that rival only managed four stars.
Neither the Smart brand nor the #3 appeared in the most recent Driver Power survey. However, given that this car shares its underpinnings with the Volvo EX30, that brand’s 13th place finish out of 31 brands in the best manufacturer rankings should provide a little reassurance. However, Peugeot put on a better performance in seventh place.
| Euro NCAP safety ratings | |
| Euro NCAP safety rating | Five stars (2023) |
| Adult occupant protection | 90% |
| Child occupant protection | 86% |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 84% |
| Safety assist | 85% |
Buying, prices and deals
- Best buy: Smart #3 Premium
Prices for the Smart #3 start with the Pro model from around £34,000. However, in order to get the larger battery, a heat pump and much more kit, we think it’s worth spending more on the Premium model, which starts from £40,700. Admittedly, this is quite a big jump, but you’ll save time and money on recharging. Big spenders may be tempted by the £46,500 Brabus, but it just isn’t exciting enough to warrant the price in our opinion.
You can build your perfect Smart #3 with the Auto Express Buy A Car service, and we also have a range of Smart #3 models in stock and ready to go.
Smart #3 alternatives
The Smart #3 sits in a fairly quiet area of the market. While there are other electric coupe-SUVs out there like the Cupra Tavascan, Volkswagen ID.5 and Skoda Enyaq Coupe, these are all much larger than the Smart.
One similarly-sized alternative is the Peugeot E-3008, which also brings its own unique sense of style along with a good helping of practicality.
If you’re not overly bothered about a sleek coupe roofline, the Skoda Elroq, Volkswagen ID.3, Cupra Born and Renault Megane E-Tech are other strong options for a similar price. The Volvo EX30 is based on the same platform as the #3 and is also well worth a look.
Key updates of the Smart #3 review
25 June 2026: Latest driving impressions and pricing data.
Frequently Asked Questions
All Smart cars come with an unusually short two-year, unlimited mileage warranty. The battery warranty is about average for the industry with eight years or 125,000 miles, whichever comes first. Core components such as the electric motor are limited to eight years and 100,000 miles.
Deals on the #3 and alternatives
More reviews
Which Is Best
