Smart #5

THINK of Smart, and you're likely to have instant visions of a quirky two-seat city car, possibly a rear-engined roadster if you're more familiar with the brand.

- By Dean Gibson

But Smart isn't about city cars any more. Sure, there's a new two-seat urban machine in the pipeline, but at the moment the UK lineup comprises three electric SUVs, with the largest of the lot being the #5 we're driving here.

At 4.7 metres, it's 2.2 metres longer than the old ForTwo, and this places it firmly within the compact premium electric SUV class. It certainly has the proportions of one, with the boxy styling giving it echoes of the MINI Countryman or US-market Ford Bronco Sport. Neat touches include pop-out door handles and frameless glass for the doors, while the nose and tail have intricate light designs.

Inside, the #5 follows a similar path to the classic ForTwo with a style-led cabin, but it also has a level of practicality previously unseen from Smart. There are premium materials throughout, while a 13-inch touchscreen dominates the centre console. The system is quick (it's powered by AMD processors, as advertised by a plaque mounted low on the dash), but there are plenty of menus to navigate through.

We're driving the entry-level #5 Pro here, but there's such a long list of standard kit on board that you don't feel short changed in the slightest. It comes with soft artificial leather upholstery, electric adjustment for the front seats and rear seatbacks, a panoramic glass roof, two-zone climate control and 360-degree cameras, while metallic paint is a no-cost option, too. A list price just short of £40,000 means it's also competitive with a range of electric SUV rivals.