Smart #5 2025 preview: walkaround, specs, prices and on sale date

The Smart #5 cannot be defined by a single headline stat. It’s not only the biggest Smart ever, at almost 4.7 metres nose to tail, it’s also the one with the longest range and the fastest charging. It’s set to be the most expensive, too – with range-toppers likely to cost more than £50,000.

We first saw the car last year, but now we’ve been given exclusive access to the new Tesla Model Y and Audi Q4 e-tron-rivalling SUV. It coincides with Smart’s decision to drip feed extra specs such as battery and motor configurations, plus trim and specification detail – before the car goes on sale towards the end of 2025.

What powertrain options and performance can we expect?

The Smart #5 will be available with two distinct powertrain options: a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive variant, and a dual-motor all-wheel-drive car. Smart claims even the base car will do 0-62mph in sub-7 seconds, while dual-motor cars can do the same sprint in 4.9 seconds. These versions also come off-road-ready with Sand, Snow, Mud and Rock drive modes, plus an Adaptive setting that’s designed to adjust the car’s various parameters on the fly.

What do we know about range, charging and running costs? 

Under the metal, the Smart #5 supports two electrical architectures. Base cars use a 400-volt system powering a 76kWh (74.4kWh usable) battery and rear motor for up to 289 miles of range. But top-spec variants boast a cutting-edge 800v layout with a chunky 100kWh (94kWh usable) battery and up to 366 miles on a single charge.

Fast charging will be key to the Smart #5’s mainstream appeal; that 800v architecture unlocks ultra-rapid 400kW charging – crowning the new SUV as Europe’s fastest-charging car. That peak speed eclipses models such as the Lotus Eletre (350kW) and Porsche Taycan (320kW), and allows for a 10 to 80 per cent charge in 18 minutes. Smart says the #5 will also offer Vehicle to Load (V2L) and ‘Plug and Charge’ capabilities – the latter enabling automatic authentication and payment between the vehicle and certain charging stations.

What is the exterior and interior design like?

The #5 represents a new design direction for the brand, separating itself from the more compact Smart #1 and #3 with its boxier design and bespoke lighting signatures. Think of it as a boxier, more interesting Mercedes EQB with a mini-G-Class vibe and you’ll be on the right track.

European CEO Dirk Adelmann said: “It’s unexpected, it’s unconventional, the design language that we use with the #5, but it’s still Smart. For me, the cool thing to see is that you can give Smart a form, shape and size that are unexpected, but people still see the family, still see the heritage, still see where we come from.”

The cabin is another area where the #5 elevates itself above its smaller siblings; its three-screen layout is a first for Smart, and perceived quality takes a welcome jump in the right direction – 90 per cent of the car’s interior surfaces are apparently covered in soft materials.

What do we know about the infotainment system? 

Inside, a three-screen dashboard comprises a 10.25-inch instrument cluster and a pair of 13-inch Active Matrix Organic LED (AMOLED) displays for the main infotainment and conjoined passenger screen. Running an ‘Unreal 3D engine’ we found it faster and more responsive than the systems in the #1 and #3; the #5’s lion avatar sits at the base of the screen and is rendered in real-time. Maps and other functions can be simply sent to the instrument cluster by swiping left or right with three fingers.

This set-up is set to be standard on all but the base Pro and Pro+ cars, and can be complemented by a 25.6-inch augmented reality head-up display. Another high-end optional extra is the 1,190-watt 20-speaker Sennheiser stereo with Dolby Atmos. Two cooled wireless charging pads sit on the main centre console, with four USB-C ports dotted around the cabin.

How practical is the Smart #5 and how big is the boot space?

Thanks to its electric-specific architecture, the #5 is a spacious mid-size SUV with enough room in the back even for taller adults to get comfortable. Behind the rear seats there’s a big 630-litre boot, which expands to 1,530 litres with the 60:40 split-fold bench folded flat. Smart offers a “one-button comfort mode” – colloquially referred to as “king mode” or “boss mode” by its developers – which folds everything flat. Smart’s designers say they’re working on a solution to turn the car into a makeshift camper, with a removable mattress or bed that can be placed in the rear.

In addition to the big boot, the Smart #5 gets a 72-litre illuminated frunk that can be opened from the main infotainment screen. This space is not only suitable for keeping the charging cables away from the main cabin; Smart says it’ll swallow a carry-on suitcase should the need arise. Dual-motor cars also boast a 1,600kg towing capacity.

What safety tech does the Smart #5 have?

Potential customers will be pleased to know the Smart #5 is loaded with safety kit, including a host of airbags, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), including Pilot Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Highway Assist. These features have been tested and honed on UK roads, apparently.

Smart Europe CEO Dirk Adelmann said he’s looking to implement over-the-air (OTA) updates in time that will allow owners to save their preferences for things such as lane-keep assist and speed-limit warnings – letting them activate or deactivate certain settings in bulk.

What will the Smart #5 price be?

Bucking the trend for simplified trim line-ups, the Smart #5 will be offered in no fewer than six separate specifications, including a hot Brabus model later down the line. The range will kick off with the base Pro and Pro+, with Premium opening up extra colour and trim options, plus a fantastic 1.68-metre panoramic roof. There will be a choice of alloy wheel designs, ranging from 19 to 21 inches. 

These versions are only available in single-motor, rear-wheel drive form, though the Pro is the only one restricted to the smaller 76kWh battery. Above this sits the more lavishly-equipped Pulse model, with Summit Edition topping off the standard-car range. Both of these versions bring the dual-motor, 800v layout, with the larger 100kWh battery. 

While we’re yet to drive the #5, we’re told the car has been specifically developed for the UK, apparently “ensuring they meet the expectations and needs of its customers”. Prices for the new Smart #5 haven’t been confirmed, but with the SUV set to start from 45,900 euros in Germany, base cars should cost around £40,000 when they go on sale here in the autumn.

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