Smart reveals rugged #5 SUV with 600km range and built-in cinema: for Australia in 2025
Smart is no longer just a city car brand.
The reborn Smart has revealed a new direction with a rugged, off-road electric mid-size SUV called #5, and it’s confirmed for Australia in mid-2025.
Aimed at the adventurous EV buyer, at 4705mm long it’s of similar size to the Tesla Model Y, with other likely rivals including the electric Jeep Avenger and all-wheel-drive Subaru Solterra EV.
Smart is a 50:50 partnership between Mercedes-Benz and the Chinese Geely Group, and the brand makes a return to Australia this month with its #1 and #3 SUVs.
Covers were pulled off the #5 SUV at an international reveal in Byron Bay NSW, with Rouven Remp, Senior Director of Global Marketing at Smart, saying: “Today is going to be the first time for Smart where we leave the urban boundaries. We unveil a car that truly earns the positioning of a contemporary adventurer.”
Full details and pricing haven’t been revealed, but the boxy SUVs we sampled had luxury and technology at its core.
We were told the #5 will be available as a rear-wheel-drive and an all-wheel-drive, but no details on motors were mentioned.
However, due to the #5’s size and greater mass, Remp said they’d be more powerful than the motors seen in the Smart #1 and #3.
In those, the single motor offers 200kW and 343Nm, while the twin-motor setup (seen in Brabus models) offer 315kW and 543Nm.
While the Smart #1 and #3 use a 66kWh battery, the #5 ups things mightily with a 100kWh battery and promised range of 740km (CLTC), which would translate to over 600km in the more real-world WLTP ratings.
Key for fast-charging, the #5 has an 800V all-electric platform, as used by Porsche and larger Kia EVs.
In optimal charging conditions, the #5 will charge from 10 to 80 per cent in just 15 minutes, using an ultra-fast DC charger.
A pair of left-hand-drive #5s were displayed at the reveal, one being an adventure-ready Summit Edition.
The latter featured air supsension, external storage panniers, roof box, side ladder, running boards, all-terrain tyres and even a built-in projector with the “opportunity to project 233-inches between two and seven metres away from the car.”
You set up a portable screen in front of the vehicle, and can project a movie from the front of the #5, backed by a 2000W Sennheiser sound system in the cabin. Proper camping class.
Inside is a seriously luxurious cabin.
Not only is there a panoramic roof largest in its segment, there’s Nappa leather trim and real wood trim for the doors.
Front seats are heated, ventilated and massage, there’s a powered roof sunshield and 256 colour ambient lights.
There are no less than 34 interior storage options, while a 2900mm wheelbase offers impressive rear leg room, with heated rear chairs electrically adjustable to a significant 121-degree recline angle.
Technology is next-level. There’s a digital diver display and two 13-inch displays in the dash centre and in front of the passenger.
Powering them and the car’s in-built AI is what Smart says is an AMD V2000 – the most powerful chip available in the auto industry.
Asked about the #5’s off-road capabilities – something of key appeal to many Australian EV buyers – he said details on ground clearance and the twin electric motors would shortly be revealed.
It was hinted the #5 would be very capable in many off-road scenarios, but it wouldn’t be a vehicle you’d be climbing mountains or crossing deserts in.
Pricing can only be guessed at.
In all-wheel-drive Summit Edition with all the fruit, you can bank on a $100k plus car.
But if an entry-level rear-drive on-road-specific version could land at around $70,000, it’d be a compelling alternative to the Tesla Model Y and the ever-growing number of electric medium SUVs.
