Smart #3 review

This is the Smart #3, the second addition to Smart’s expansive new SUV line-up. It follows the death of the dinky little Fortwo, and while there are rumours of an eventual replacement for the tiny stalwart model, this is what Smarts look like now. Large, electric products of a tie-up between Germany’s Daimler and China’s Geely. 

Naturally, that means some platform sharing has occurred. And in this case the Hashtag 3 shares its undergubbins with the Zeekr X and the more recognisable Volvo EX30.

Looks nicer than the other one…

The other one being the Smart #1, of course, slightly taller and more upright. The #3 isn’t merely a coupefied version of the #1, although to all intents and purposes that’s what the company is offering. Usually they’d just wiffle about with the roofline, you’d lose some space in the back and that would be that. But the #3 is actually slightly larger than the #1 in every dimension except height. Still weighs broadly the same though: it's a 1.8-tonne whopper.

But yes, the #3 does look better, doesn’t it? We can think of several examples (cough VW ID.5, Skoda Enyaq Coupe, Audi Q4 Sportback, Mercedes GLE Coupe) where the coupe version looks significantly worse than the SUV. People seem to love them, though, or else they wouldn’t be getting built.

Does it drive well? 

The 3 drives well enough: the ride is a little on the firm side for an everyday family car, but it’s quick out of the blocks and has the same granular force feedback-style steering feel that you get in lots of electric SUVs. It’s not too bad down a country lane if you can keep your right foot under control. A 268bhp sends power to the rear wheels and 0-62mph in 5.8 seconds should be plenty, but there’s a monstrous Brabus version if you feel so inclined.

The Brabus is fast in that rollercoaster way that performance electric cars so often are: you grimly hold on and wait for it to be over. The #3 Brabus slams off the line with its 422bhp (154bhp at the front, 268bhp from the rear) and 400lb ft of torque, reaching 62mph from zero in a scarcely credible 3.7s. It’s the sort of performance that’s of no earthly use, unless you’re trying to get sensitive information out of a reluctant informant.

What’s that moving on the infotainment screen?

That would be a cheetah, your new pet if you buy yourself a Smart #3. It’s an upgrade from the fox in the #1, but it doesn’t really do anything except stare into the middle distance and occasionally walk around. Kids might enjoy it...

Take a good look at the infotainment screen, because you’ll be spending a lot of time here. The design is fun, but using it can be infuriating. Your drive settings reset every time you restart the car, and the organisation of the features is as far from intuitive as it gets. Don't worry though, it'll become muscle memory after some practice.

Satnav, aircon, trip info and even wing mirror adjustments are to be found in the 12.8in central touchscreen, otherwise you get a smattering of steering wheel buttons and some shortcut buttons underneath the touchscreen.

How much does it all cost? 

The #3 range starts at £32,950 for the entry-level single motor, rear-drive Pro model with 49kWh battery (for 202 miles of WLTP range). 

Then the mid-range Premium model – which gets a 66kWh battery for a hefty slug of 283 miles of range – comes in at £39,950. Like for like, the #3 costs around a grand extra over the #1. We got around 240 miles of real world range out of this model.

The top-spec Brabus car costs £45,450, adding dual motor AWD into the mix but taking a hit on range (258 miles). In more realistic driving, the Brabus is a 220-mile car if you’re gentle, but could easily drop below 200 miles if you’re not.

The Smart has at least got price in its favour: it's much cheaper than the £50k Volvo EC40 and new Peugeot e-3008, or the Skoda Enyaq Coupe. Less convenient for Smart is the presence of the Renault Scenic and electric Mini Countryman, both of which are close on price when compared to the big-batteried #3.

In many ways the latest round of Smarts feel more like Geely products than any sort of funky Mercedes sub-brand. And if this was a new car from a Chinese start-up we’d probably be more forgiving, but both carmakers can do better.

Don’t get us wrong, the #3 has its charms, and no doubt you could be swayed by the tech focus and distinctive interior. But it’s all rather style led without being at all distinctive. Such a shame that Smart has abandoned its innovative edge to chase after sales in the samey small crossover arena.