Smart 3 vs Holden Commodore

What's the difference?

VS
Smart 3
Smart 3

2025 price

Holden Commodore
Holden Commodore

$8,995 - $28,990

2018 price

Summary

2025 Smart 3
2018 Holden Commodore
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Not Applicable, 0.0L

Diesel Turbo 4, 2.0L
Fuel Type
Electric

Diesel
Fuel Efficiency
0.0L/100km (combined)

5.6L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Driver-assist modes need local tuning
  • Steering at speed needs finessing
  • Glass roof with no shade cover

  • Relatively unassuming looks
  • V6 not as refined as the 2.0 turbo
  • VXR doesn't match the romance of old V8 SS
2025 Smart 3 Summary

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.

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2018 Holden Commodore Summary

For many Australians, calling the new ZB a Commodore is tantamount to being forced to call your Mum’s new boyfriend ‘Dad.’ 

It's not built here, available in rear-wheel drive, there's no sign of a V8 or a sedan body, so why should we accept it as a worthy heir to the badge worn by Holden’s proudest model since 1978? 

One big reason is that it was always going to be the next Commodore, even before Holden decided to stop building cars in Australia. Yes, it was even set to be built here. 

Once the VE/VF Commodore’s Zeta platform was axed during General Motors’ post-GFC rationalisation, the next best thing was to align with the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia designed primarily for Europe. 

Holden was actually involved with the new Insignia’s development from the beginning, which has led to some key details for the Commodore version and Australia, and a whole lot of input from our world-renowned Aussie engineering team. 

So it’s a whole lot more Commodore than you may realise. Whether it lives up to its reputation is another matter. 

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Deep dive comparison

2025 Smart 3 2018 Holden Commodore

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