Get Smarter! Boxy 2025 Smart #5 Brabus squares up against the Tesla Model Y Performance and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
Mercedes-Geely owned Smart has released pictures of the hot electric 2025 Smart #5 Brabus mid-size SUV ahead of its official unveiling at the Shanghai motor show on April 23.
Rekindling its two-decade-long partnership with famed German tuner Brabus, the Smart #5 Brabus has been confirmed with a mighty dual-motor powertrain that will pump out 475kW of power when sales kick-off later this month in Europe priced from €60,900 ($A111,312).
Built to battle the Tesla Model Y Performance, the hottest Smart yet produces 25kW more than its chief rival, asd well as 750Nm of torque.
READ MORE: 2025 Smart #3 Brabus Review: Look out Mini! The loveable micro car brand has grown up with Mercedes-Benz DNA and an electric SUV line-up
READ MORE: Smart pulls plug on EV-only future with incoming #5 SUV to get PHEV powertrain to take on Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, BYD Sealion 6 and Mitsubishi Outlander
READ MORE: 2024 Smart #1 and #3 review: Re-born brand delivers compelling Volvo EX30, Tesla and BYD rival
However, the US opposition is 0.1sec quicker than the claimed 3.8 second 0-100km/h sprint the #5 Brabus is capable of via its Launch mode.
The all-wheel drive Smart fights back with super-quick charging thanks to its 800-volt electrical architecture and the 100kWh battery can be topped up at a peak rate of up to 400kW.
That translates to a class-leading 10-80 per cent top-up of just 18 minutes. With a full charge the Smart #5 Brabus can travel up to 540km on the WLTP test cycle.
Mirroring the Smart #1 and #3 Brabus, the flagship #5 gets its own sportier bespoke suspension tune, more powerful brakes and a Brabus driving mode that sharpens up the throttle’s response and adds a sporty soundtrack.
Helping it stand out from the done car, the Brabus version grows a front splitter, wears larger 21-inch alloy wheels, features plenty of Brabus badging, bright red brake callipers and is offered with the option of a matte paint finish.
Within, there’s an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, heated front and rear seats and a pair of big 13-inch OLED screens, plus more Brabus badges dotted around the cabin.
Also offered are a large panoramic roof, suede-like microfiber roof lining and 256-colour ambient lighting system and a powerful 2000-watt Sennheiser premium sound system that uses no less than 20 speakers for the full surround sound experience.
There’s no word yet if the Smart’s local distributor LSH Auto has any plans to import the Smart #5 Brabus Down Under but the regular Smart #5 is expected to land in the second half of 2025 with pricing tipped to stretch from $70,000 to $100,000.
Another option for Smart’s local outfit is a new plug-in hybrid version of the #5 that can cover up to 120km on EV power alone and combines that with a total range of 1420km with a full charge and brimmed tank of fuel.
Expect an announcement on the Smart #5 Brabus and the plug-in version’s fate shortly, while a facelifted version of the Tesla Model Y Performance will be introduced before the end of this year when it’s expected to arrive with even more power, torque and performance.
Smart and Brabus teaming up again is exciting — that 475kW output definitely puts it in serious performance territory. I’m really curious how it’ll compare on real-world range and efficiency next to the Model Y Performance and Ioniq 5 N.