What is Smart? Complete brand, model and tech guide for UK car buyers
Once Daimler’s arm creating cars for Euro cities, now Smart is China’s toe-in to German workings
You might think you know Smart, but the firm is a world away from polycarbonate body panels and sub-three-metre city cars in 2025. That’s because this very European brand has headed east thanks to a unique part-ownership deal between Mercedes and Geely. This sees Geely largely responsible for the development and manufacture of Smart’s models, with Mercedes overseeing design and distribution in Europe. In 2019, Geely acquired 50 per cent of Smart as part of a wider joint venture with Mercedes.
However, the core of Smart’s identity – the two-seat ForTwo – was taken off sale without a direct replacement soon after that acquisition. Smart now only sells much larger and more generic all-electric models that are developed in China with Geely underpinnings for global markets, making it, in effect, a Chinese brand.
The range is currently made up of three models, all with a ‘hashtag’ prefix attached. The #1 is a 4.3-metre-long crossover that shares its underpinnings with the Volvo EX30, while the #3 takes that same package and puts on a sleeker body.
Yet it’s the #5 that is arguably the most ambitious model yet: this medium-sized SUV is more than 4.7-metres long, taking the notion of a Smart furthest away from its heartland. But are these cars any good? Inherently, no Smart is a duffer, but then none is a class leader in terms of tech, performance or efficiency, either.
There is one very big change coming, though. The ForTwo is being reimagined, with a two-seat city-friendly #2 coming in 2026. Smart CEO Dirk Adelmann told us this year how the development process is being balanced between Mercedes and Geely, saying: “We will grab from the shelf whatever we can. Mainly on the Geely side. We benefit from both sides in this adventure.”
Smart isn’t a big UK player with just 1,894 units sold this year to date, but this is expected to grow as more models come on-stream. Global sales of around 65,000 units is not bad considering the brand’s limited two-car line-up. Support in the UK is extremely well established, with 34 dealers (still mainly attached to Mercedes retail outlets). All models also come with a standard three-year warranty.
| UK models: | #1, #3 and #5 |
| Our pick: | #5 offers a strong package, but is far away from Smart’s comfort zone |
| How big in China? | 76,000 global sales, (39,000 units in China) |
| 2024 global exports: | 37,000 units (approx) |
| 2025 UK registrations: | 1,894 units |
| Retailer network and warranty: | 34 dealers; three-year/unlimited-mileage warranty |
| We say: | The upcoming #2 will need to bring back Smart’s original spirit of automotive innovation |
Chinese car brands ranked by UK impact
Below is our Chinese power list, with all 17 brands ranked on current and potential UK market impact. Click the links to explore each manufacturer in detail...
| Rank | Brand |
| 1 | MG |
| 2 | BYD |
| 3 | Chery |
| 4 | Changan |
| 5 | Jaecoo |
| 6 | Leapmotor |
| 7 | Omoda |
| 8 | Polestar |
| 9 | XPeng |
| 10 | Geely |
| 11 | Smart |
| 12 | Lotus |
| 13 | GWM Ora |
| 14 | GWM Haval |
| 15 | GWM Poer |
| 16 | Maxus |
| 17 | Skywell |
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