Smart #5 Review: Big Flop or Brilliant Electric SUV? Range, Price & Honest Verdict
Is the Smart #5 a big flop for Mercedes — or one of the most interesting electric SUVs you can buy in the UK?
That is exactly what we wanted to find out.
Smart has come a very long way from the tiny city cars that made the brand famous. The #5 is a proper family-sized electric SUV, and the version we tested was the Smart #5 BRABUS, the wildest and most powerful model in the range.
With huge screens, loads of space, rapid charging, a 630-litre boot and enough performance to embarrass plenty of sports cars, the Smart #5 BRABUS is certainly not your typical Smart.
But there is one big question: is it actually worth the money?
We spent time driving the Smart #5 BRABUS on UK roads to find out.
Watch our full Smart #5 review
If you want to see exactly what we thought of the Smart #5, including the acceleration, ride, interior, screens, rear-seat space and real-world range, make sure you watch the full Car Chat TV video.
The BRABUS version we tested is the headline-grabbing model, but the more affordable Smart #5 Pro and Pro+ models could arguably make more sense for everyday buyers.
Smart #5 UK: What is it?
The Smart #5 is the biggest vehicle in Smart's current range and represents a huge change in direction for the brand.
Smart is now a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely, and the #5 sits on a much larger scale than the original Smart city cars.
It's an all-electric SUV measuring almost 4.7 metres long, with five seats and a huge amount of interior space.
And then there's the BRABUS version.
The Smart #5 BRABUS uses a 100kWh battery, all-wheel drive and dual electric motors. Official UK figures give it 646hp, 710Nm of torque and a 0-62mph time of just 3.8 seconds. Its top speed is 130mph.
In other words, this isn't the little Smart you remember.
Smart #5 price UK
This is where things get interesting.
At the time of filming, the BRABUS was quoted at around £51,800. That remains the current UK list price for the Smart #5 BRABUS.
But you don't have to spend £50,000-plus on a Smart #5.
The current range starts with the Smart #5 Pro, while the Pro+ sits above it with the larger battery and longer range. Current UK pricing listed by Smart shows the Pro at around £39,800 and the Pro+ at £43,800, although offers and individual vehicle pricing can change.
That price difference is important.
Because while the BRABUS is spectacularly quick, the cheaper versions potentially make more sense if you're buying a Smart #5 as a family EV rather than a performance SUV.
And this is where leasing becomes particularly interesting. Our video found examples of Smart #5 Pro deals around the £288-a-month mark at the time of filming, subject to the specific deposit, mileage and contract terms.
Always check the current deal rather than relying on an old monthly figure, because lease offers can change very quickly.
Smart #5 range: How far can it go?
The Smart #5 range depends heavily on which version you choose.
The entry-level Pro uses a 76kWh battery and has an official 288-mile WLTP range.
Move up to the Pro+ or Premium and you get the 100kWh battery and a claimed 366 miles WLTP.
The BRABUS has the same 100kWh battery but its performance-focused drivetrain and larger wheels reduce the official figure to 335 miles WLTP.
Our BRABUS test car was showing a very different figure in real-world driving.
During our test, we averaged around 2.4 miles per kWh.
Based on that efficiency, we calculated a theoretical real-world range of roughly 248 miles from the battery.
That's obviously a long way short of the official 335-mile WLTP figure, but that's not unusual when you're driving a powerful electric SUV on real roads.
And it does highlight an important point:
Don't buy the BRABUS expecting to regularly achieve the headline WLTP number.
If maximum range is your priority, the Pro+ or Premium versions with their 366-mile official figures are more interesting on paper.
Smart #5 charging: 400kW is seriously quick
This is one of the Smart #5's biggest strengths.
The larger-battery versions use an 800-volt electrical architecture and can accept up to 400kW DC charging.
Smart quotes 10-80% in around 18 minutes when connected to a sufficiently powerful charger.
That's extremely impressive.
Of course, there's an important catch: you need a charging station capable of delivering that sort of power, and your charging speed will depend on the charger, battery temperature and state of charge.
At home, our video estimated roughly 10-12 hours using a 7kW wallbox.
The official specification for the larger-battery versions actually supports AC charging at up to 22kW, while the entry-level Pro uses an 11kW system.
For most UK owners with a home charger, though, overnight charging is going to be the normal routine.
Smart #5 exterior: Love it or hate it?
Let's be honest.
The Smart #5 is not a car that disappears into the background.
Our test car had the BRABUS treatment, including a matte grey finish, red detailing, red brake calipers and those enormous wheels.
It's very boxy.
Very chunky.
And very different.
There are even some design cues that reminded us of rugged SUVs, while the overall shape has a slight Mercedes GLB feel to it.
The front-end design divided opinion during our video, particularly those unusual openings in the front bumper.
The rear is arguably even more controversial, with an almost vertical rear window.
Personally, that's part of the appeal.
Smart hasn't simply produced another anonymous electric crossover. The #5 has its own personality.
Whether you think that's a good thing is another matter.
21-inch wheels and a surprisingly comfortable ride
You might expect the BRABUS to ride like a skateboard.
It doesn't.
Despite the sporty specification and huge 21-inch wheels, our initial impression was that the Smart #5 BRABUS was actually surprisingly comfortable.
On our UK road test, the suspension dealt with potholes and bumps better than expected.
We found it compliant around towns and villages, with a good level of comfort.
Push harder into corners, though, and the compromises start to appear.
We noticed some body lean, and the seats could arguably do with larger bolsters considering this is supposed to be the performance flagship.
So it's not a hardcore sports SUV.
It's a very quick, comfortable electric SUV with a sporty side.
Smart #5 performance: 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds
This is where the BRABUS gets properly bonkers.
The official figures are:
646hp
710Nm
All-wheel drive
0-62mph: 3.8 seconds
Top speed: 130mph
And you can feel it.
Our test revealed a slight delay before the power really arrives, followed by a huge surge of acceleration.
It was enough to give us that proper rollercoaster feeling in the stomach.
Once it gets going, the Smart #5 BRABUS is seriously quick.
The video also demonstrated the car's Rocket Launch function, which is essentially a launch-control-style feature designed to make the most of that 3.8-second acceleration.
Is it necessary?
Absolutely not.
Is it fun?
Definitely.
BRABUS mode and fake engine sounds
This is one of those features you'll either love or completely hate.
The Smart #5 BRABUS can generate artificial engine-style sounds through the cabin.
There are different sound settings, including a more futuristic "spaceship" style effect.
During our test, we found it pretty loud — to the point where we quickly wanted to turn it down.
But that's the beauty of it.
You don't have to use it.
If you want your electric SUV to make spaceship noises while you accelerate, Smart has you covered.
If you want peace and quiet, switch it off.
Smart #5 interior: Three screens and loads of tech
Inside is where the Smart #5 really starts to feel different.
The BRABUS gets a 10.25-inch digital instrument display and two 13-inch screens across the dashboard — one for the central infotainment system and another for the front passenger.
And yes, the passenger gets their own screen.
You can watch content, use entertainment functions and connect headphones, making the passenger screen one of the standout features of the car.
Our reaction?
It's cool.
Very cool.
But it's also a lot of screen.
Some people will absolutely love that. Others will think Smart has gone slightly overboard.
Our favourite Smart #5 interior feature
One of the features we particularly liked was the shortcut/favourite button.
With a quick press, you can access things such as:
Regenerative braking
Driving modes
Parking assistance
360-degree camera
Other frequently used functions
It's a small detail, but it makes the technology feel easier to use.
Rather than hunting through menus every time you want to change something, you can put the functions you use most within easy reach.
Smart #5 rear seats: Is it good for families?
This is one of the Smart #5's strongest areas.
The boxy shape creates loads of interior space.
During our test, we were particularly impressed by the amount of rear headroom and legroom.
At around 5ft 11in, our tester had loads of space, and the video concluded that even people around 6ft should have no problem with headroom.
The rear seats also recline electrically, which isn't something you see on every family SUV.
There are also:
USB-C ports
Rear climate controls
ISOFIX
A flat floor
Large windows
Plenty of legroom
Comfortable rear seating
The result is an EV that feels genuinely practical for carrying adults in the back.
Smart #5 boot space
The boot is another major selling point.
Smart quotes 630 litres of luggage space with the rear seats in place and up to 1,530 litres with them folded.
During our video, we found a large main luggage area with additional storage underneath the boot floor, side cubbies and a 12V socket.
There's also a frunk.
On the BRABUS, the front storage area is 47 litres, compared with 72 litres on the rear-wheel-drive Pro and Pro+ versions.
That means there's plenty of room for charging cables and smaller items.
Smart #5 cameras and visibility
The Smart #5 is also packed with cameras and driver-assistance technology.
Our test car had a 360-degree camera, and one of the more unusual features was a see-through-style camera view that can help you see what's underneath or immediately in front of the vehicle when manoeuvring.
The cameras worked well overall, although we did find the system a little too eager with its warning beeps during our test.
Visibility itself was good.
The large mirrors, upright shape and boxy body make the #5 relatively easy to judge from the driver's seat.
Smart #5: What we liked
👍 Huge amount of interior space
The boxy design works brilliantly for passenger room.
👍 Seriously quick in BRABUS form
3.8 seconds to 62mph is properly rapid for a family SUV.
👍 Very fast charging
Up to 400kW DC charging and an 18-minute 10-80% claim make the larger-battery versions particularly interesting for long-distance driving.
👍 Massive boot
630 litres is a very useful amount of space for a family SUV.
👍 Loads of technology
Three screens, passenger entertainment, 360-degree cameras, different drive modes and the Rocket Launch function give the #5 plenty of personality.
👍 Comfortable ride
Despite the BRABUS performance hardware and 21-inch wheels, our UK road test found the ride surprisingly compliant.
👍 Something genuinely different
You certainly won't confuse the Smart #5 with every other electric SUV on the road.
Smart #5: What we didn't like
👎 BRABUS is expensive
At £51,800, the BRABUS is a lot of money for a Smart.
👎 Real-world range is well below WLTP in our test
We saw around 2.4 miles per kWh, which worked out at roughly 248 miles of theoretical range.
👎 Styling won't suit everyone
The unusual front end, boxy proportions and vertical rear design are definitely an acquired taste.
👎 Some body movement when pushed
Despite the impressive ride comfort, we noticed some body lean when cornering harder.
👎 Some of the technology feels like a novelty
Rocket Launch and artificial engine noises are fun, but they're hardly essential equipment.
👎 Lots of red on the BRABUS
If subtle is your thing, this probably isn't the Smart #5 for you.
Smart #5 Pro vs Pro+ vs BRABUS
This is arguably the most important question.
The Pro is the sensible starting point. It has a 76kWh battery, rear-wheel drive and 288 miles of WLTP range.
The Pro+ steps up to the 100kWh battery, rear-wheel drive and 366 miles of WLTP range, while gaining the much faster 400kW charging capability.
The BRABUS turns the #5 into a performance SUV, with all-wheel drive, 646hp, 3.8-second acceleration and 335 miles of official range.
For everyday family use, the BRABUS isn't necessarily the obvious choice.
But if you want something unusual, ridiculously quick and packed with gadgets, that's exactly why this version exists.
Smart #5 verdict
So, is the Smart #5 a flop?
After driving it, we don't think the car itself deserves to be written off.
The design is going to divide opinion. Even during our video, we couldn't completely agree on it.
But underneath that unusual exterior is a surprisingly capable electric SUV.
It's comfortable.
It's spacious.
It's quick.
It has a massive boot.
The rear seats are genuinely roomy.
The technology is impressive.
And the larger-battery versions can charge extremely quickly.
The big question is price.
At more than £50,000, the BRABUS is a difficult proposition if you're looking at it purely as a family EV.
But that's not really what makes the BRABUS interesting.
It's the fact that Smart has taken a practical electric SUV and turned it into a 646hp, 3.8-second rocket ship.
For us, the more interesting Smart #5 is probably lower down the range.
The Pro and particularly the Pro+ give you the core #5 package without paying the huge premium for BRABUS performance.
And if you can find a competitive lease deal, the equation changes again.
That's exactly why the Smart #5 is worth putting on your shortlist if you're looking for an electric SUV that does things a little differently.
Our Smart #5 score
Interior: 8/10
We agreed on this during the video.
The huge screens, technology, space and unusual design give the cabin plenty of character, although the red BRABUS detailing won't be to everyone's taste.
Overall
Rather than inventing an overall score that wasn't given in the video, we're sticking with our actual verdict: the Smart #5 is a strong and genuinely interesting electric SUV, with the BRABUS version being the exciting but expensive choice.
Smart #5 review: quick facts
SpecificationSmart #5 BRABUSPower646hpTorque710NmDriveAll-wheel driveBattery100kWh / 94kWh usableWLTP range335 milesReal-world efficiency in our test2.4mi/kWhEstimated range from our test efficiency~248 miles0-62mph3.8 secondsTop speed130mphDC chargingUp to 400kW10-80% DC charging18 minutesBoot630 litresBoot seats folded1,530 litresFrunk47 litresPrice£51,800
Official specifications confirmed by Smart UK.
Final word
The Smart #5 is a fascinating car because it doesn't really fit neatly into one box.
It's a family SUV, but it can do 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds.
It's designed to be practical, but the BRABUS version has red detailing everywhere.
It's packed with technology, but some of that technology is deliberately playful.
And while the BRABUS is expensive, the wider Smart #5 range starts at a much more approachable level.
So if you're searching for a Smart #5 review UK, Smart #5 price, Smart #5 range, Smart #5 charging, Smart #5 interior or simply wondering whether the Smart #5 is worth buying, the answer is that it deserves a closer look.
It might not be the conventional choice.
But perhaps that's exactly the point.
Watch the full Car Chat TV Smart #5 review to see the BRABUS being driven on UK roads, hear our real-world range impressions and see all those screens and gadgets in action.
