For years, Smart was the automotive equivalent of a Jack Russell. Tiny, energetic, occasionally hilarious and happiest darting around city streets where parking spaces were measured in millimetres rather than metres. But rather than sticking its lane, someone evidently looked at the sales charts, shrugged, and said, “Let’s build a high-performance electric SUV with enough power to embarrass supercars.”
Introducing the Smart #5 BRABUS. It isn’t just the biggest Smart ever built, it’s the fastest, the most luxurious and arguably the one that finally convinces people to stop asking, “Wait… Smart still makes cars?” And boy do they, this thing is certifiably bonkers.
BRABUS Means Business
The standard Smart #5 already has plenty of road presence, but the BRABUS treatment turns things well past “subtle.” The squared-off proportions give it genuine EQB SUV presence while avoiding the anonymous blob-on-wheels look that seems mandatory in today’s EV market.
Up front, the lighting signature is futuristic, while the chunky wheel arches and upright stance give it a surprisingly rugged appearance. Then come the BRABUS goodies.
Huge 21-inch Monoblock wheels, red brake calipers, gloss black detailing and discrete but purposeful BRABUS badging. It looks expensive (and ok, it is).
People who remember the original Smart Fortwo may need a moment to process that this almost 4.7-metre-long SUV shares the same badge. Yet somehow it works. Mercedes-Benz’s influence on the design is obvious, while Geely’s engineering has given Smart the confidence to think much bigger than city commuting.
Premium with a Side of Theatre
Open the door and you quickly forget you’re sitting inside something wearing a Smart badge, the cabin feels genuinely premium. Soft-touch materials are everywhere your hands naturally land, while the BRABUS-specific seats, Alcantara steering wheel, contrast stitching and flashes of red remind you this isn’t the sensible version.
The seats deserve particular praise, they’re supportive enough for spirited driving yet comfortable enough for long-distance touring, and with heating and ventilation available, they’re equally happy in the middle of winter or during a scorching Kiwi summer.
Space is another winner, there is plenty of headroom, generous rear legroom and enough storage throughout the cabin to satisfy families who usually carry everything except the kitchen sink.
Unlike many performance SUVs, this doesn’t feel compromised, everyone gets to enjoy the ride, well kind of. More on that in a moment.
Screens, Screens and More Screens
If you’re someone who judges a vehicle by the number of displays it has, congratulations, you’ve found your soulmate.
The dashboard is dominated by twin 13-inch OLED displays alongside a digital instrument cluster, creating an experience that feels more spaceship than SUV. The graphics are crisp, the animations are slick and the processing is impressively quick thanks to a powerful onboard chipset.
But there’s certainly a learning curve. Like many modern EVs, almost everything lives within the touchscreen, however, once you’ve spent a little time exploring the menus, most functions become intuitive enough. Oddly, the passenger screen will not allow the co-pilot to watch a movie when on the move – surely, they can block the driver’s view and allow this? The voice assistant works well, navigation is responsive and wireless smartphone connectivity keeps things familiar.
Then there’s the sound system. Sennheiser has supplied a 20-speaker Dolby Atmos setup that genuinely delivers concert-quality audio. The review model came hooked up to Spotify and I spent way too much time trawling through some old/forgotten tunes and blasting them out distortion-free – it’s hugely impressive.
Ludicrous Mode Has Entered the Chat
Let’s talk numbers. 475kW, 710Nm and All-wheel drive means Zero to 100km/h in just 3.8 seconds. Push the accelerator and your internal organs immediately begin questioning your decision-making while Launch Control delivers an utterly ridiculous shove that catches you off guard every single time.
Passengers usually respond with either laughter, or colourful language. My friend opted for the latter and begged me to stop having soo much fun – I need new friends. Despite the outrageous performance, the Smart #5 BRABUS doesn’t feel nervous or intimidating (well not to me anyway).
The all-wheel-drive system finds traction effortlessly, while the single-speed transmission delivers seamless acceleration without interruption. It’s still a heavy EV, so don’t expect the Smart’s colossal Nms to supersede Sir Isaac’s laws, but most will find the SUV more than capable.
The 100kWh battery (94kWh usable) also provides a claimed WLTP driving range of around 540km, meaning it can comfortably handle everyday commuting and weekend adventures alike. Better still, its 800-volt electrical architecture supports DC charging of up to 400kW, allowing a 10–80% recharge in around 18 minutes under ideal conditions.
On the Road – Surprisingly Civilised
Arguably the biggest surprise isn’t the acceleration, it’s how normal the Smart feels when you’re simply driving to work. The steering is nicely weighted, visibility is excellent for something this size and the suspension manages to balance performance with genuine comfort.
Even riding on enormous wheels, it deals with broken road surfaces far better than expected, there’s enough compliance to absorb bumps without turning every pothole into a chiropractic appointment.
Around town it’s easy, on the motorway it’s refined, but when the road starts twisting, that’s when the BRABUS badge starts earning its keep. The instant torque launches you effortlessly between corners, while the low-mounted battery keeps body roll impressively controlled. As I said, it won’t replace a dedicated sports car (Physics still exists) but for a family SUV weighing well over two tonnes, it feels remarkably composed.
One particularly entertaining feature is BRABUS Mode, which adds simulated performance sounds to the driving experience. Some EV purists (is there such a thing?) will roll their eyes. Everyone else will secretly leave it switched on, because it’s fun – so shut up!
Living With It
The Smart #5 BRABUS is surprisingly practical. The rear seats comfortably accommodate adults, luggage space is generous and there’s even a front storage compartment for charging cables.
Visibility is excellent thanks to the upright seating position, while an extensive suite of safety systems (including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, a 360-degree camera and parking assistance) makes daily driving refreshingly stress-free.
Would I change anything? A few physical buttons wouldn’t hurt. There are moments when adjusting simple functions via a touchscreen still feels unnecessarily complicated.
And while efficiency is respectable given the performance, enthusiastic use of those 475kW will naturally have a noticeable effect on range. But self-control has never been the BRABUS way.
Smart Has Grown Up… and Hit the Gym
The #5 BRABUS completely rewrites what the Smart brand represents (historically anyway). It isn’t quirky transportation anymore, it’s a genuinely premium electric SUV that happens to deliver outrageous performance, impressive technology and everyday practicality in one very stylish package.
It’s quick, ridiculously quick. But it’s also comfortable, spacious, beautifully built and packed with technology that makes living with it remarkably easy. Most importantly, it’s fun.
