Smart’s all-electric renaissance continues with the sleek #3 family SUV…
The Smart #3 (pronounced “Hashtag Three”) is the second model from the brand which is now a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Chinese giant Geely (also the owner of Volvo, Polestar and Lotus).
Unusually, the Smart #3 has few direct rivals because of its dimensions and pricing.
In other words, it’s about the same size as the £50k Volvo EC40, yet because it starts at just £33,960, it’s also up against smaller EVs including the Volkswagen ID.3.
The Smart #3 is one of an increasing number of “coupe-SUVs” such as the Peugeot E-3008 and Volkswagen ID.5. I’m not sure about the use of the word “coupe”, but they do have lower, sloping rooflines and swept-back hatches.
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so I’ll let you decide on the #3’s styling. All I would say is that it’s certainly distinctive and the rear has a hint of the Mercedes-Benz EQA about it.
The Smart #3 comes in four trim levels – Pro, Pro , Premium, and the top-spec Brabus performance-focused model.
Pro uses a smaller 48kWh battery compared to the 62kWh unit found in the other #3 models.
Smart claims a WLTP range of 202 miles for the Pro, with the Pro offering 270 miles and the Premium achieving 283 miles. These three all use a 268bhp electric motor mounted on the rear axle, and are capable of 0-62mph in 5.8 seconds and a top speed of 112mph.
The bonkers Brabus adds another electric motor on the front axle (making it all-wheel drive), producing 422bhp and 543Nm of torque for a neck-wrenching 0-62mph time of 3.7 seconds, though range is reduced to 258 miles.
I’ll be honest, I thought the Smart #3 would be just another electric SUV, but after a week driving a Pro model, I’d say it deserves to be on any family EV shortlist.
It feels solid and build quality is hard to fault, while the interior has a classy, quirky feel.
Unusually for an electric car, it is possible to sit fairly low in the #3, which means that you feel more involved on the road.
The seats are comfortable and there’s good leg and headroom for rear passengers, despite the roofline. Boot capacity is a so-so 370 litres, increasing to 1,160 litres with the 60:40 split seats folded.
Up front there’s a 9.2-inch driver’s display and 12.8-inch central touchscreen, while higher spec models also get a head-up display.
Sadly, the infotainment system isn’t the most user-friendly, intuitive or responsive I’ve come across.
There’s also far too much swiping and prodding for essentials such as climate control, meaning that you’re taking your eye off the road, while the on-screen cartoon avatar is irritating.
As with all new cars, the #3 is fitted with the latest safety and driver assistance kit (it scored a maximum five stars in Euro NCAP crash tests), so expect bongs and beeps aplenty. The driver distraction warning is particularly irritating and sensitive, which is ironic considering it often goes off when you’re trying to find a function on the touchscreen.
On the plus side, the infotainment system comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring as standard.
Inside, there’s a commanding view of the road, but rear visibility isn’t so good, thanks to that sloping roofline and slim tailgate window. It’s also worth noting that there is no rear wiper.
The Smart #3’s set-up is on the stiff side, so it’s not at its best on really poor surfaces, but overall the ride is smooth and comfortable.
Push on and body roll is well contained. There’s also an impressive amount of grip, while the brakes are effective – and progressive, which isn’t always a given with an EV.
The steering offers little feedback, but it’s nice to have the option to adjust it (auto, light, standard and heavy), if you can be bothered to tackle the infotainment screen.
The Smart #3 is eager and there are three drive modes (Eco, Comfort and Sport). As ever, Comfort offers the best balance of performance and efficiency, but Sport is fun for short bursts.
Ultimately, it’s more engaging to drive than I thought it would be, but it still doesn’t gain entry to the small club of dynamic EVs on the market.
My Smart #3 Pro was efficient, so I’d expect a real-world of between 220-240 miles – more in city driving.
With maximum charge rates of 150kW (66kWh battery) and 130kW (49kWh), both will go from 10-80% in about half an hour. Obviously, they also charge overnight if you have a connection at home.
The Smart #3 comes with a three-year warranty, which is par for the course, but no match for rivals including Hyundai (five years) and Kia (seven years).
Verdict: Competitively-priced, spacious, safe and good to drive, the rakish Smart #3 should be on your shortlist if you’re looking for an electric family SUV that stands out from the crowd.