Smart #5 Brabus Test: A champion at the terminal

Smart doesn't just make small cars anymore: proof once again with the #5 (pronounce hashtag 5 if you like, but simply 5 is good too). This SUV measures 4.70m long. It's built to travel far and charge (very) quickly.

The Smart #5 has its own lion. Each model in the updated range features an animal in the spotlight on the screen animations. A fox for the #1, a cheetah for the #3, and the king of beasts for the #5. Not lazy, however, this German-Chinese SUV (the brand is the result of a partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Geely) in its Brabus version has a 100 kWh NMC battery (94 kWh usable) and a power output of 646 hp (475 kW) with a torque of 710 Nm distributed to all 4 wheels thanks to two motors.

Large size

The cockpit's discovery inevitably focuses on the size of the dual central screen. It's integrated into an oblong ring that runs from the center of the passenger compartment to the left door. This space actually houses two 13-inch screens, one of which is for the passenger. Passengers can browse Spotify playlists, YouTube videos, or the Amazon Prime catalog. They can also wear Bluetooth headphones to isolate the sound of their music, movies, or video games. However, the passenger screen is not hidden from the driver. The driver remains responsible for the direction of their gaze. The car can detect averted gaze toward this screen. A signal will still remind them to act accordingly. It's better than nothing...

Overall, the multimedia interfaces on board the #5 are fluid. The secret is the AMD V2000 chip. In addition, the various menus are easily accessible, with a screen displaying the main functions. The sound system is also high-end, designed by Sennheiser, with Dolby Atmos via 21 speakers, the central one of which deploys upon startup. Do you want disco? The quality of the display behind the steering wheel is also there. There's the 10.25-inch instrument cluster with varied and customizable information. But there's no need to constantly look at it. There's also a full head-up display, allowing you to keep a close eye on the road.

Alcantara

No button to start the Smart #5. Just put your foot on the brake, select the direction of travel, and off you go. Your hands grip a very pleasant-to-the-touch Alcantara steering wheel. The seats are in Dinamica fabric. There's also padding throughout. It's very well finished. You can even feel the Mercedes touch with, among other things, the position of the seat adjustment: on the door. A small detail: the doors don't have handles. You have to get out by pressing a button. There's no button, however, for the mirrors. You have to adjust them via a menu on the screen and then with the controls on the steering wheel. It's annoying. But it's not as dangerous as turning on the fog lights via a menu on the screen. This trend started by Tesla is completely stupid.

The first few turns of the wheel in Comfort mode show that this 2.5-ton beast (the predator is greedy) has quite a bit of flexibility. Despite the sporty suspension settings, the Smart #5 rarely shows any signs of bouncing. You have to find a rough road to feel the mayonnaise turn. Like that little moment of undulation on a tired surface. But nothing serious. The electric steering provides a good feel. As does the one-pedal driving depending on the regeneration mode selected. From then on, it is possible to make the most of the heavy artillery of this Brabus variant.

We skipped Sport mode to go straight to Brabus mode to see what it's got. Well, it has a lot of punch (0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 s). Since it's firmly on its feet, the #5 holds its own during hard acceleration. You have to stop immediately to avoid hitting the radars. On winding roads, the Smart can be playful. However, it's limited by its size. It's still an SUV despite its power and 21 inches. To get a little more excited, Smart thought that adding fake engine noises would be a good idea. Yes, for 3 minutes. Afterwards, we quickly realised that it was mostly a gimmick.

Friendly

As the miles go by, the Smart #5 demonstrates that it was designed to be pleasant and enjoyable. The comfort of the chassis is enhanced by that of the upholstery. Rear passengers, who have plenty of legroom, can also benefit from heated seats (except for the center one). In the front, there are also cooled seats for those hot days.

The car doesn't lack in little touches, such as the dual induction charger, the USB-C sockets and the 12V one. The headlights play a small customizable choreography when approaching and opening/closing. At night, the lighting ambiance is worthy of a premium ship. The automatic headlights (including the low beam / high beam switch) are thus very effective.

To facilitate everyday family life, there is also a 47 l frunk (front trunk) for storing cables (with the two-wheel drive #5, this small trunk offers 72 l). This allows you to better take advantage of the 630 l of the rear trunk, which can be adjusted to 1530 l by folding down the bench seat. Logical, but not exceptional, for a car that is 4695mm long, 1705mm high and 1920mm wide.

What also makes it easy to use is its driver assistance technology. They're not very intrusive. As long as you make the right settings in the various menus (preferably when stopped, since you're already watching your passenger's videos). It's a shame that the speeding alert can't be switched off via a shortcut. You'll also have to get used to the cruise control, which is between adaptive cruise control and semi-piloted driving. It's a question of your hand on the steering wheel and the color projected by the display on the windshield.

Véloce

What really sets the Smart #5 apart is the charging. This car has the advantage of being built with an 800 V architecture. To access the charging socket, you have to press a dedicated area on the hatch. The electric opening then gives access to the Type 2 & Combo CCS connection. On a slow terminal, you can go up to 22 kW in alternating current. In direct current, the theory speaks of 400 kW. So let's check this on a 400 kW fast terminal. As soon as the connector is plugged in, the terminal's indications are encouraging: less than 25 minutes to go from 18% to 100%!

It started directly at 337 kW, rising to 345 kW and then decreasing as the charge progressed. After 12 minutes, we were already at 76% with an average of 285 kW. After 15 minutes: 82%. Charging then continued at 125 kW before slowing down. Nevertheless, in less than 30 minutes, the car was fully charged. Another charge, with the battery at 53% at the time of the terminal, confirmed the speed of the #5 in this exercise so dreaded in normal times. Enough to convince the die-hard fans of thermal cars to change their stores? If they want to take a break every 3 hours on the highway, no doubt.

The Smart #5's realistic range is 350km on the highway (300 km in winter). A range linked to its large battery. Because the SUV consumes quite well: 25 kWh/100km at 120 km/h cruising speed. That's a lot. The official WTLP range is 540km, or an average of 17.4 kWh/100km. In the city and off the highway, on Flemish roads at 70km/h, consumption even drops below 17 kWh/100km.

In the combined cycle, we were more like 19 kWh/100 km. Besides, to estimate your driving range, you have to be wary of #5. By default, the instrument panel will put the standard value (very WLTP). You have to go into the settings menus on the central screen to request the dynamic calculation by default to have an assessment more in line with the reality of the terrain and the driver...

All-inclusive

Smart has opted for the all-inclusive formula. There are therefore few options. The price will depend on the trim level. The entry-level model is the Smart #5 Pro with 340 hp (250 kW) rear-wheel drive, a 76 kWh LFP battery and a WLTP range of 465 km. It operates at 400 V with a maximum charging power of 150 kW. This model costs €46,700 in Belgium (as of October 2025). Then comes the large battery, 800 V, and 400 kW with fast charging. The 363 hp (267 kW) Pro+ with two-wheel drive costs €51,700. The 588 hp (432 kW) Pulse with all-wheel drive costs €56,200. And then comes the Brabus, the one we tested.

This Smart #5 Brabus AWD costs a minimum of €61,700 in Belgium. With our model's matte paint, it's €62,680. And that's it for the options. Because it comes with everything standard, including the sunroof and everything we've presented above. There are also accessories. For example, it's possible to request the addition of a tow bar. In the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, thanks to VAT, the price of the Brabus is €54,490 with the standard paint job. So, around €55,400 if you choose the livery shown in the photos.

In France, the Smart #5 Brabus retails for €62,580 in the color shown in our images, with a starting price of €61,600 without options. In Switzerland, the Brabus trim will cost CHF59,500 and the gray paint job will cost CHF60,480. In the Netherlands, the base price of the Smart #5 Brabus is €63,440, rising to €64,420 with the trim shown in this review.

(MH with Olivier Duquesne – Source : Smart – Photos : © Olivier Duquesne)