A New Direction for Smart in the UK
Smart is entering a bold new phase in the UK with the launch of the Smart #5, a fully electric midsize SUV that marks a major step up for the brand. Backed by Mercedes-Benz and Geely, Smart is shifting from its compact city car roots to take on established EV rivals like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Skoda Enyaq, and Tesla Model Y. With sleek design, fast charging, and advanced in-car tech, the #5 signals Smart’s ambition to compete at the heart of the growing premium electric SUV segment.
Smart #5 Pricing and Trim Options
Prices kick off at £39,800 for the entry-level Pro version. That one gets a 74.4kWh battery and a pretty decent 288 miles of range (official WLTP figures, of course). But if you want a bit more go or further distance between charges, there are four more versions to choose from:
- Pro+ – £43,800: Comes with a bigger 94kWh battery for more miles on a charge.
- Premium – £47,300: Rear-wheel drive and some extra comfort bits thrown in.
- Pulse – £47,300: Adds a second motor for all-wheel drive.
- Brabus – £51,800: This one’s the hot version — 637bhp and 0–62mph in just 3.8 seconds. Mad.
Smart’s obviously trying to hit a sweet spot here — something that feels upmarket but isn’t as pricey as a Tesla Model Y. Could be a smart move (pardon the pun) in this end of the market.
Charging & Battery Technology
Here’s where the #5 gets properly interesting. Thanks to its 800V electrical setup, it can charge seriously fast — think 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes if you find a 350kW charger. That’s a coffee-and-loo-break kind of quick.
Battery-wise, there’s that standard 74.4kWh pack, or you can go bigger with the 94–100kWh option. Depending which version you pick, you could be looking at up to 366 miles between charges (again, WLTP).
And it’s not just about going places — the car can power stuff, too. It’s got a vehicle-to-load (V2L) feature, which means you can plug in your camping gear or tools and run them straight off the battery.
Tech-Rich and AI-Driven Interior
Inside, the #5 is anything but basic. It’s fully kitted out with flashy screens and voice tech. Here’s what you get:
- A 10.25-inch digital driver display
- Two 13-inch OLED infotainment screens
- A whopping 25.6-inch augmented reality (AR) head-up display
- Unreal 3.0 infotainment system, powered by AI
- A lion avatar that chats to you as part of the voice control setup
All the usual comfort stuff is there too — electric, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a high-up view of the road thanks to its SUV stance.
They’ve also loaded it with driver assist features across the board — things like adaptive cruise control, a 360° camera, automatic emergency braking, lane assist, and blind-spot monitoring. So, it should make life a bit easier whether you’re parking in town or heading off on a long trip.
UK Release Date and Dealer Deliveries
Even though you can place an order now, you won’t actually see a Smart #5 at your local dealer until late 2025. First deliveries are pencilled in for early 2026. All five trim levels are open for UK orders, so you can take your pick right away.
We’re hearing that Smart might also be beefing up its dealer network in major cities around that time — makes sense if they’re planning a proper push into the mainstream EV scene.
Warranty and Ownership Benefits
Warranty-wise, Smart’s offering a decent package: three years with unlimited miles for the car, plus eight years or 100,000 miles on the battery — up there with the best of them.
There aren’t any special UK government grants specifically for the Smart #5 right now, but the usual benefits still apply — like no congestion charge, cheaper tax bands, and low benefit-in-kind rates if you’re getting one as a company car.
A Well-Specced, Fast-Charging Rival in a Growing Segment
The Smart #5 looks like a proper contender in the midsize electric SUV world. There’s a good spread of versions to suit different needs and wallets, packed with tech, and the real-world range figures aren’t bad either. Fancy a sportier one? The Brabus edition stacks up well against the likes of performance EVs in the same price range.
As Dan Jones from What Car? put it: “It’s good news that Smart has opted for lots of versions of the #5 with set equipment lists instead of adding loads of different option packs.” Makes it easier when you’re comparing trims — and judging by recent interest online, people are already doing just that, especially with searches like “Smart #5 Brabus performance” or “Smart #5 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5”.
With a decent spec, quick charging and a sub-£52k price tag, the Smart #5 could tick a lot of boxes for families after a premium electric SUV that won’t blow the budget. We’ll have a better idea of how it stacks up once the reviews and UK test drives start rolling in early 2026.
