Forget everything you knew about Smart: 2025 Smart #5 is a performance SUV rival to the likes of the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 GT

The Smart #5 has been detailed in documents issued from the Chinese Ministry of Technology, detailing a mid-size electric SUV with higher performance than some notable rivals like the Tesla Model Y and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.

There’s also a good chance this wild new Smart SUV will make it to Australia at some point, with the now China-built range confirmed for a re-launch Down Under before the end of 2024.

Unlike the existing #1 and #3 models, both of which are compact SUVs, the #5 is significantly larger, measuring 4705mm long, 1920mm wide and 1705mm tall - similar dimensions to most mid-sized SUVs, and specifically very close in size to the Tesla Model Y.

Fair to say, this new model is nothing like the ultra-compact city cars Smart launched with back in the early 2000s. It also brings with it unprecedented specs, including a massive 100kWh battery good for up to 700km of driving range (on the more lenient CLTC testing protocol), an 800-volt battery architecture for a 10-80 per cent charge time in 15-20 minutes, and in its top-spec AWD form, a combined power output of 475kW.

The five-door SUV is said to be strictly a five-seat offering (as opposed to some SUVs this size which can be equipped with seven seats) and its range in China will also include two rear-wheel drive variants and a less powerful all-wheel drive variant to join the top-spec 475kW range-topper.

The rear-wheel drive variants (which start at 250kW of power) will have a more affordable LFP battery chemistry, while the all-wheel drive variants are said to have higher-performance NMC batteries.

Interestingly, there is no mention of the Brabus performance brand which Smart (via Mercedes) has a partnership with for other vehicles in its range, opening the door to perhaps an even spicier version in the future.

Styling-wise the Smart #5 has a similar curvy theme to the other two cars in its range, but toughens it up significantly with an upright grille and wagon-style rear, moving the Smart brand in a new direction.

The interior was not detailed in the document filings, but the concept has a versatile interior with dash-spanning screens, a flat floor and seats which can recline almost fully flat.

Since its first stint in Australia, Smart has been transformed from a city-car specialist wholly owned by Mercedes-Benz into a China-based EV marque which Mercedes shares as part of a joint-venture with Geely (the company which also owns Volvo and Polestar).

It operates in China and Europe, where Mercedes and Geely have it positioned as essentially an all-electric answer to the BMW-owned Mini, complete with quirky design touches and a total departure from the style and design of its parent companies. 

Right-hand drive versions of the #1 and #3 SUVs from the brand are expected to land in Australia from Q3 this year, with Chinese media speculating the new #5 model will launch overseas by Q4, so it’s likely we won’t see it in Australia until 2025 if right-hand drive production is confirmed.

Smart’s new push into Australia, backed by Mercedes-Benz dealer group LSH Auto (but interestingly, not officially by Mercedes-Benz Australia), will have a fight cut out for it in challenging established EV-only players like Tesla and Polestar, but also an increasingly long list of Chinese rivals, some of which are also exclusively electric like Xpeng and Leapmotor.