Once known for its compact city cars, Smart has looked to embrace a broader market with its new electric line-up. The Smart #3, following on from the Smart #1, represents a significant step towards broader appeal. Although the actual length has only increase by a small amount, there have been some interesting technical developments. Here’s a quick overview after we managed to get hands-on with Smart's new choice.
Sleek Styling and Practical Dimensions
While the Smart #3 bears similarities to its predecessor, it’s longer by 13cm, giving it a sleeker appearance with a sloped rear design. Positioned in the same category as the Nissan Leaf, Volkswagen ID.3, and MG4, it combines SUV-like height with hatchback proportions, making it a versatile choice for urban and suburban driving.
The car is built on a platform developed by Geely, the parent company of Volvo, Polestar, and several other brands. This collaboration results in a mix of Mercedes-like build quality and competitive electric drivetrains. We have seen VW looking East recently, with hundreds of Volkswagen staff spending time at Xpeng in China – as the German auto giant works to create electric cars that are cheaper to produce without losing out on reliability – at least according to recent statements by Xpeng co-president Brian Gu. Will this ‘fusion' trend carry through to other East-West relationships?
Performance and Range
The #3 comes in four variants: the entry-level Pro with a 49kWh battery offering 202 miles of range, the Pro+ and Premium with 66kWh batteries delivering 270 and 283 miles respectively – through to the high-performance BRABUS with 428hp and a 258-mile range. The standard models use a 272hp rear-wheel drive motor capable of 0-60mph in 5.8 seconds, while the BRABUS cuts this to just 3.7 seconds. When we do these tests/reviews, we often feel that it's a pity that more cars don't publish their 0-20 or 0-30 mph results. Given how much driving happens in cities this kind of number would give you a much clearer idea of how much ‘daily use poke' was available. When we reviewed the Smart EQ ForTwo, it was crazy how fast the car moved away from inner-city lights, but the overall 0-60 was closer to a sluggish 11 seconds.
Charging is straightforward, with the Pro supporting 130kW DC fast charging and other models offering 150kW, enabling a 10-80% charge in around 30 minutes. The Premium version also includes 22kW AC charging, enhancing flexibility for home and public charging. If you were lucky enough to pull into a service station ‘close to empty' with enough DC charger points available, hooked the car up as you arrived and then did a ‘standard service station' visit, you'd be ready for something like an additional 150 miles by the time you got back.
Interior and Features
Inside, the Smart #3 impresses with its premium feel. All models feature a panoramic sunroof, LED lighting, and a range of comfort-focused features like heated, electrically adjustable seats. The Premium trim adds extras such as a head-up display, a PM2.5 air quality sensor, and matrix LED headlights. Rear passengers benefit from ample head and legroom, thanks to the sloping roofline’s clever design.
Boot space is competitive, with 370 litres of capacity, expandable to 1,160 litres when the rear seats are folded. There’s also a small front trunk for additional storage.
Driving Experience
The rear-wheel drive setup ensures precise handling, with the car feeling stable on corners and composed on motorways. Adaptive cruise control and a suite of safety features, including blind spot detection and lane departure warnings, make long journeys comfortable. Despite London’s poor road conditions, the ride quality remains high, with a quiet cabin even at motorway speeds.
During testing in cold conditions, the real-world range for the Premium model was around 223 miles, reflecting typical reductions from WLTP figures. For those who check the manufacturer's web site and not independent reviews, there could be a surprise in store as the WLTP is quoted at 283 miles. One of those numbers gets you from London to Manchester comfortably and the other will induce panic. We're all looking forward to a version of WLTP that gives the ‘range you are most likely to achieve'.
Pricing and Value
The Smart #3 starts at £32,950 for the Pro model, with the Pro+ at £36,950 and the Premium at £39,950. The Anniversary Edition costs £40,950, while the high-performance BRABUS is priced at £45,450. These prices compare favourably with competitors like the Volkswagen ID.3, although the MG4 remains a more affordable alternative. Right now, a quick search online shows that you can pick up an MG4 with ‘delivery mileage' for less than £23,000.
The original Smart car, launched in 1998, was designed as a compact, affordable city vehicle, embodying simplicity and urban practicality. Its compact dimensions and efficient design targeted urban drivers seeking an economical and manoeuvrable car for city environments. Dacia seems to have picked up that mantel these days, with the Spring coming to market for less than £15,000. Smart has evolved into a larger, higher quality vehicle that costs up to 3x the price of a Dacia. While the design is still ‘cutesy', the price is now that of a mainstream Mercedes C Class and that doesn't feel quite right.
Overall?
The Smart #3 offers a pretty well-rounded package with strong design, good performance, and premium features. While its range doesn’t lead the class, it provides a compelling option for families seeking a stylish and practical electric vehicle. The price is the only question mark and you have to wonder how many they can sell if they are bang in the middle of the busiest part of the market.
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