- Smart has unveiled the new #5 crossover, which is roughly the same size as the Mercedes GLC.
- The model sports an upscale interior with a 13-inch front passenger display.
- Power comes from a 100 kWh battery pack that provides 460 miles of range in the CLTC cycle.
Smart’s transformation continues as the company has unveiled the new #5 crossover. It’s a far cry from the old ForTwo as the model is a premium mid-size SUV with a high-tech interior worthy of a Mercedes.
Set to arrive in Europe early next year, the crossover features a distinctive face with “oblong headlights” that are connected by a thin illuminated strip as well as a series of oval-shaped lights. Moving further back, there’s plastic body cladding and streamlined bodywork.
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Designers also gave the model flush-mounted door handles and aerodynamically optimized wheels that feature floating center caps just like a Rolls-Royce. They’re joined by a flowing greenhouse and prominent D-pillars that sport the Smart logo.
Customers looking for something more rugged can opt for the Summit Edition. It adds a roof-mounted light bar, side steps, and a ladder that helps to provide access to the included roof carrier. The model also has underbody protection, an electric trailer hitch, and an external storage compartment that echoes the one found on the Land Rover Defender.
In terms of size, the #5 measures 185.2 inches (4,705 mm) long and has 114.2 inches (2,900 mm) between the wheels. To put that into perspective, the Mercedes GLC is 0.5 inches (13 mm) longer but has a 1.1 inch (28 mm) shorter wheelbase.
The upscale styling continues inside as customers will find premium leather, oak wood trim, and zero-gravity front seats that recline up to 121 degrees. The model also sports a 256-color ambient lighting system and a 21-speaker Sennheiser audio system.
While the interior is elegant, it’s dominated by a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster and two 13-inch displays. The one in the center operates as an infotainment system and features a lion avatar named Leo as well as a “state-of-the-art generative AI voice assistant [that] uses a variety of sources to provide precise answers to almost any question.” Sticking with the technology theme, there’s a 25.6-inch augmented reality head-up display.
Rear passengers aren’t treated like second-class citizens as they’ll find heated seats with adjustable backrests. The model also has an “electric sunshield” as well as “airplane-style LED reading lights with a ‘first class’ setting” and a comfort mode that offers passengers more legroom by, presumably, moving the front seats forward.
The seats can be folded down to make a king-size, queen-size, or single sleeping space in the cabin. Buyers will also find 34 storage compartments, a frunk, and a spacious cargo area that can hold up to 54 cubic feet (1,530 liters) of luggage.
Smart was coy on powertrain details, but confirmed the model has a 100 kWh battery pack that provides over 460 miles (740 km) of range in the CLTC cycle. The company also revealed the crossover has 800V technology as well as a super-charging function that enables the battery to go from a 10% to 80% charge in 15 minutes.
While Smart played dumb, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has previously revealed the crossover will have a rear-mounted motor with outputs of 335 hp (250 kW / 340 PS) and 358 hp (267 kW / 363 PS). There will also be dual-motor all-wheel drive systems that pair a 221 hp (165 kW / 224 PS) front-mounted electric motor with either a 358 hp (267 kW / 363 PS) or 416 hp (310 kW / 422 PS) rear motor.