Kia Pv5 vs Smart 3

What's the difference?

The all-new PV5 Cargo is Kia’s first full-electric van which expands the popular Korean brand’s growing electrified vehicle range into Australia’s light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment.

Designed from the ground up on Kia’s new E-GMP.S chassis platform, which is specifically designed for current and future electric LCV applications, the PV5 eliminates the compromises often associated with adapted internal combustion engine (ICE) platforms to optimise interior space, ease of loading and drivetrain efficiency with 400km-plus driving range.

It has not only won the prestigious 2026 International Van of the Year award but its compact dimensions also carve out a new niche for buyers wanting a vehicle larger than a small van (under 2.5-tonne GVM) but more compact than a mid-size one (2.5 to 3.5-tonne GVM).

We recently spent a working week behind the wheel to see if this purpose-built full-electric newcomer has what it takes to win over Aussie van buyers.

Smart is back.

Not with the classic ForTwo two-seater city car, oddball four-seater ForFour hatch or dinky Roadster targa top. Those were yesterday’s cars.

Today, Smart – as a 50/50 joint-venture between Germany’s Mercedes-Benz (the brand’s originator) and China’s Geely – is all about SUVs. Electric SUVs.

The boxy #1 (pronounced “hashtag-one”) is a small SUV and the sleeker #3 is the coupe-esque performance crossover version. Both are made in China and use Geely technologies.

We take a long, hard look at the range-topping #3 Brabus, the speediest, sexiest and exxiest of the lot. Let’s go.