The tiny, iconic ‘Smart car’ is no more. Today’s Smart line-up is less, well, smart than before, though it is all-electric.
Earlier this year they launched a smallish crossover called the #1, and now the follow-up is on the way. Confusingly, perhaps, this little coupe is called the #3 - it’s not yet clear what became of #2 - and the people at Smart would like us to pronounce the hashtag…
Nonetheless, the hashtagged Smarts are impressive little things. And so they should be, with decent industry credentials behind them - they are designed by Mercedes and engineered by the Chinese car firm Geely, which owns Volvo and Lotus among others.
The #3 shares the same underpinnings as the #1, but measures around 10cm longer and 8cm lower, and Smart say it has been engineered to be more engaging to drive.
Three different versions are available, including an entry-level model that uses a 49kWh battery made of lithium-iron-phosphate that helps bring the car’s cost down but isn’t suitable for longer-range EVs.
Most will use a 66kWh battery paired to a rear electric motor producing 268bhp and 343Nm of torque. That allows for a 0-60mph time of 5.6 seconds, with the top speed capped to 112mph.
If that isn’t enough for you, Smart also sells an all-wheel-drive Brabus version, which gets a second electric motor, total power of 422bhp and a 0-60mph time of just 3.5 seconds. The stiff ride may be a bit of a pain on our roads, mind you.
Smart claims up to 283 miles from the larger battery or a reduced 202 miles from the smaller entry-level car.
If you like an SUV to feel that bit sportier, the #3 gets off to a good start. Smart has lowered the seating position compared to its other model, with lots of adjustments and more supportive seats being welcome.
Refinement is a strong point, while even though the #3 has a different suspension setup, standard models remain comfortable even on larger 19-inch alloy wheels, which are now the default. On twisty Mallorca mountain roads, the #3 performed better than many other cars of this type, feeling reasonably nimble even on the tightest hairpins.
If the #1 looks a little awkward, then the #3 is a whole lot more visually appealing. From the rear it looks a lot like a Mercedes, there are LED light bars front and rear and the pillarless doors and pop-out door handles are a cool touch. As you would expect, the Brabus model looks that bit sportier with its large 20-inch alloy wheels and revised bumpers.
The interior is dominated by a large touchscreen that handles just about everything - perhaps too much of everything for some tastes. There are lots of things to like about the cabin but most impressive of all is just how much space there is. There’s loads of space in the rear seats, even in terms of head room. However, at 370 litres, the boot isn’t the largest.
Regardless of which version you choose with the #3, the equipment offering is exceptional. Standard features include 19-inch alloy wheels, a 360-degree camera, heated front seats and an electric boot.
A Pro+ grade brings extended driver assists (though some of these are more of a curse than a blessing as they’re overly-intrusive on many occasions), electric front seats and wireless smartphone charging, while the Premium trim brings a 13-speaker Beats sound system, heat pump (this adds a claimed 13 miles of range), a head-up display and duo leather seats.
In terms of pricing, the #3 costs around £1,500 more than a like-for-like version of the #1. That means prices start from £32,950 for the smaller battery version, with the larger battery car available from £36,950. It makes it rather competitive, and undercuts the mechanically similar Volvo EX30 by a useful amount.
Though not perfect, attractive pricing and generous equipment levels make the Smart #3 worth considering if you’re looking for a car in this class, and aren’t persuaded by Volvo’s excellent EX30.
