By Calixto Tay
Copyright asia361
If you still think of Smart as the brand that gave us the tiny fortwo and forfour, you’re in for a surprise.
The new Smart #5, launched today by Cycle & Carriage Singapore and Smart Automobile, is the brand’s largest and most versatile car to date. We’ve had our eyes on the #5 since first seeing it at the Singapore Motorshow in January 2025. Now that it’s officially launched, here’s why we think it might just be the smartest electric vehicle (EV) move you can make this year.
A Big Step for Smart
The Smart #5 isn’t just another EV in the lineup. It’s the brand’s first-ever mid-size sports utility vehicle (SUV), designed by the Mercedes-Benz global design team under the “Love, Pure, Unexpected” philosophy. Think sleek silhouette, frameless doors, a panoramic halo roof, and rugged touches that make it look less “urban commuter” and more “ready-for-anything.”
At 4,695 mm long with a 2,900 mm wheelbase, this is easily the largest Smart ever made.
Space and Comfort Galore
Inside, the Smart #5 is a proper lounge on wheels. Premium materials, leather seats with 121-degree recline, and even a “First Class” mode for rear passengers complete with heated seats, electric sunshades, and airplane-style LED reading lights.
Practicality has also been baked in: there are 34 storage compartments, a 72-litre frunk, and up to 1,530 litres of boot space with the rear seats folded. This isn’t the cramped Smart of old — it’s a genuine family SUV with space to stretch out.
Screens, Sound and Smarts
Tech fans won’t feel short-changed here. Up front, you get a 25.6-inch AR head-up display, a 10.3-inch Ultra HD instrument cluster, and not one but two 13-inch AMOLED displays running Smart OS (built on Unreal Engine, no less).
The #5 also comes with a new AI companion — a lion avatar named Leo, who responds to voice commands for everything from music to climate control. And for audiophiles, the 20-speaker Sennheiser Signature Sound System delivers a whopping 1,190 watts of Dolby Atmos surround sound.
Fast, Future-Proof EV Power
Performance-wise, the Smart #5 is built on an 800-volt platform, which means ultra-fast charging. With the Premium trim’s 100 kWh battery, you can get up to 590 km of WLTP range and recharge from 10–80% in just 15 minutes on a 400 kW charger. Even the entry-level Pro trim comes with a 76 kWh battery and plenty of usable range for Singapore roads.
Safety and Assistance
Safety hasn’t been overlooked. The #5 is fitted with V-shaped curtain airbags, cushion airbags, and seat-integrated seat belts. Driving assistance comes courtesy of the latest Mobileye EyeQ6L chip, powering adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot warnings, and more — all tuned for Singapore’s stop-start traffic and tighter roads.
Pricing and Availability
The Smart #5 launches in two trims locally:
#5 Pro – 76 kWh battery, all the essentials, priced competitively.
#5 Premium – 100 kWh battery, 800-volt platform, Sennheiser sound, and the full works.
Early adopters rejoice. At launch, there is a S$20,000 early-bird promo available through Smart Singapore.
