Smart is back in Australia, and gone are the bite-sized, city-friendly cars of yesteryear, replaced by this not-so-small electric SUV, the Smart #3.
Part-Chinese and part-German (Smart is a 50/50 deal between Geely and Mercedes-Benz), the brand is promising high-quality EVs at accessible(ish) prices, with the models occupying a semi-premium space between the cut-price brands and the Europeans.
And there’s even a go-fast Brabus version that threatens to peel your eyebrows off when you plant your right foot.
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So, is the Smart #3 a worthy rival to a Polestar, Tesla or Zeekr? Let’s go find out.
Smart 3 2024: PRO+
| Engine Type | 0.0L |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Electric |
| Fuel Efficiency | 0.0L/100km (combined) |
| Seating | 5 |
| Price From | $57,900 |
Price and features – Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with? 7/10
There are three three grades available — Pro+, Premium and Brabus — with prices starting at $57,900 before climbing to $61,900 and $70,900, before on-road costs.
That’s a big climb from the Pro+ to the flagship Brabus, and given the level of equipment offered right from the entry car, I think you’re probably better off sinking your money into the cheapest one, even if it does mean missing out on the prodigious power of the Brabus.
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The Premium then adds a head-up display, matrix LED headlights, leather trim and a better Beats stereo, while the Brabus scores a unique interior and exterior treatment, unique suspension and a launch control function.
Also worth noting is that it is only a $3K jump to go from the Smart #1 Pro+ to the Smart #3 Pro+, and that is a jump I'd definitely be making, if only because of how much better the latter looks in the metal.
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EV Specs for Smart 3 2024
| Drivetrain | Electric |
|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 66kWh |
| Battery type | Lithium-ion |
| Range | 415km - 455km |
| Plug type | CCS2 |
| DC charge rate | 150kW |
| AC charge rate | 7kW-22kW |
| Motor output | 200kW - 343kW /315Nm - 543Nm |
| Efficiency | (16.3-17.6kWh/100km) |
Design – Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10
Smart has nailed the design brief with the #3. Technically an SUV, but presenting as more like a high-riding, swept-back hot hatch, it’s nicely proportioned and looks the business from most every angle.
I particularly like the light treatment up front, where the headlights bleed into the side bodywork, and then are linked by a solid light bar that spans the entirety of the front end.
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And I also like the fact there’s nothing overly fussy, or likely to age poorly, anywhere in the design. Smart has made a big deal about how it was aiming for smooth, rounded edges that are light on the garnish, and the result is a design that feels like it will look every bit as modern five years from now.
Inside is win for the brand, too, with lovely material choices, a shortage of hard and scratchy plastics, and plenty of tech, though the latter is occasionally infuriating.
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Practicality – How practical is its space and tech inside? 8/10
At 4.4m in length, just over 1.8m in width and more than 1.5m in height, the #3 is hardly massive, but it is cleverly packaged, and so serves up far more room in the backseat than you might imagine.
In fact, Smart makes a big deal about rear seat legroom being on par with a Mercedes-Benz E-Class — a much bigger sedan — and, at a glance at least, that looks to be about right, with oodles of space, which can be further enhanced by sliding the back seat forwards or backwards by 15cm, helping to maximise the area.
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At the rear, the auto-opening boot stores 370 litres, but that number grows to 1160 litres with the rear seats folded, and there’s a small 15-litre frunk up front.
Towing is listed at 1600kg for a braked trailer, but I suspect you’re more likely to spot a bunyip than you are to see a tow ball attached to the #3.
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Under the bonnet – What are the key stats for its motor? 8/10
The Pro+ and Premium are both single motor, rear-drive configurations, which isn't all that common in the EV world, where most position their electric motor at the front axle for front-wheel drive.
Both produce 200kW and 343Nm, meaning a sprint to 100km/h in 5.8 seconds and a 180km/h top speed.
The Brabus, though, unlocks way more power through the addition of a second motor, this time at the front axle, upping outputs to 315kW and 543Nm and delivering AWD.
The sprint falls to a very fast 3.7secs, but the top speed doesn't change.
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Efficiency – What is its driving range? What is its charging time? 7/10
All Smart #3 models get a 66kWh battery, delivering a WLTP driving range of 435km, 455km and 415km as you step through the Pro+, Premium and Brabus.
There is also 150kW DC fast-charging on board, which means a zero to 80 percent top up in less than 30 minutes if plugged into the right charger.
AC power is slower, of course, but if you have a wall box you should go to 80 percent charged in around 7.5 hours. The Premium and the Brabus can take 22kW three-phase AC charging, which drops the charge time to three hours - but not many have three-phase at home.
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Driving – What's it like to drive? 7/10
Easy EV driving is exactly what's on offer here, with the #3 a smooth, mostly comfortable city cruiser – until you step into the Brabus model, at least.
Happily, the cheaper models do not feel underpowered when you're travelling in the city, but nor do they on a more open road, with the 80km/h to 120km/h overtake still delivering plenty of oomph.
And given the Brabus increases the outputs, which don't feel all that lacking in the cheaper models, it makes me wonder if I'd bother.
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So, a point-and-shoot style EV, similar in the way it drives to most others, but the point of difference, I think, is that there is a genuine air of quality in the cabin, which improves the overall experience considerably.
The #3 is near-silent in the city, though the road noise does get pretty loud at freeway speeds on coarser surfaces, while the firmness of the ride and the responsive steering combine to deliver an engaging drive.
Now, a big caveat. Our time behind the wheel of the #3 was limited to a pull-your-hair-out slow-moving convoy that didn't allow us to put any real pressure on the Smart to see how it might respond, so this will have to be a first-impression deal only.
We will get the Smart through the CarsGuide office for a proper test, so watch this space.
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Warranty & Safety Rating
Safety – What safety equipment is fitted? What is its safety rating? 8/10
The #3 arrives wearing a maximum five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and it gets a whole bunch of standard safety equipment.
That begins with seven airbags, but there’s also lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise, AEB, rear cross-traffic alert... the list goes on.
And in good news, only the speed limit warning, which can be switched off, felt overly intrusive, which is not something you can say about all Chinese-made vehicles.
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Ownership – What warranty is offered? What are its service intervals? What are its running costs? 6/10
We don’t love the warranty coverage, with LSH Auto offering five years or 150,000km, whichever comes first. For reference, other Chinese newcomers all exceed that number, with MG the best with a full 10 years of coverage.
Still service intervals are 12 months, and you should be able to take your Smart to of the LSH Auto Mercedes dealership, or either of the Smart dealerships in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane.
Service cost for the first four years averages $611 per workshop visit for the Pro+ and Premium (worth noting the fourth service is a big one) and $780 for the Brabus. Not particularly small numbers.
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Verdict
This is a smart, if you’ll excuse the pun, city-focused EV, and one that feels more premium than most of its China-derived rivals. It is an increasingly crowded field, though, which is why I would have liked to see a more generous warranty period, which is about the only soft spot in an otherwise pretty strong offering.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.
Pricing Guides
Range and Specs
| Vehicle | Specs | Price* |
|---|---|---|
| Brabus | Electric, 1 SPEED AUTOMATIC | $70,900 |
| PRO+ | Electric, 1 SPEED AUTOMATIC | $57,900 |
| Premium | Electric, 1 SPEED AUTOMATIC | $61,900 |
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