Smart #5 Australia-bound: electric mid-size SUV coming to fight Enyaq, bZ4X, 7X, while electric compact models repriced

Declan Steele

Unveiled to the world in Byron Bay two years ago, the Smart #5 is finally coming for real, as the Fortwo’s descendants get bigger and bigger

Smart has confirmed that its #5 medium SUV is coming to Australia.

It’s been a long time coming. Smart, nowadays a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely, chose to hold the #5’s international unveiling in August 2024 in Byron Bay; Australia has been a target market since day dot.

The biggest Smart ever, the #5 is 4705mm long. At a single millimetre longer than a Honda CR-V, it’s the furthest Smart has ever ventured from its microcar roots.

Full Australian pricing and specs are due to be announced this week. It’ll have to be competitive with rivals such as the Skoda Enyaq ($55,990 driveaway nationwide) and Zeekr 7X ($64,050 driveaway in NSW).

The Smart is related to the Zeekr; the #5 and 7X are both built on Geely’s ‘Sustainable Experience Architecture’ (SEA) platform.

All #5s will have an 800-volt electrical architecture. Batteries up to 100kWh will be offered, with charging from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 15 minutes promised.

The Australian market will get three variants. The range opens with two rear-wheel-drive models: the Pro+ and the Premium, which adds a second 13-inch screen (one centrally-placed 13-inch screen and a driver’s display are standard on all #5s) and a Sennheiser sound system.

Above them is the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive, 475kW Brabus model. Aside from the extra power, the Brabus gains aggressive styling, an off-road driving mode and ‘Dinamica’ faux-suede upholstery, but loses range: 540km WLTP, versus the 590km WLTP claim of the Pro+ and Premium.

Inside, the #5’s status as the biggest Smart is put to good use. Although only a five-seater (the above-mentioned CR-V can fit seven), the #5 allows 1530 litres of cargo with the back seats folded. A ‘froot’ (front boot) fits 72L.

An unexpected use case for the Smart #5 is camping. The seats can fold flat into a bed, and 230-volt vehicle-to-load charging is available.

#1 and #3 repriced

Smart’s also announced revised Australian pricing for their existing models, the #1 compact SUV and its coupé-crossover derivative, the #3.

The #1 is now $49,900 before on-roads, while the #3 is now $52,900 before on-roads.

The gap in the numbers is likely to be filled soon, with the Smart #2, a revival of the company’s definitive city car, due to be unveiled in a few weeks.