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.

The Australian market will get three variants. The range opens with two rear-wheel-drive models: the Pro+ ($58,900 before on-roads) and the Premium ($63,900 before on-roads), 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 ($73,900 before on-roads). 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.

The price compares well to 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 and a 100kWh battery, with charging from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 15 minutes promised using 400kW DC charging.

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.