Overview
The Smart #5 Brabus marks a total evolution for the joint-venture brand between Geely and Mercedes-Benz. Moving far beyond the city car origins of the past, the #5 is a fully fledged mid-size electric SUV measuring 4.7 metres long. Positioned right at the top of the #5 lineup, the Brabus performance variant targets high-output rivals like the Kia EV6 GT, Hyundai IONIQ 5 N, and Tesla Model Y Performance. Combining a 100kWh battery pack with an 800V architecture, it pairs massive straight-line performance with genuine family-sized practicality.
Design
The exterior aesthetics of the Smart #5 Brabus blend a boxy, rugged mid-size crossover silhouette with unmistakable high-performance cues. The overall design features smooth surfaces combined with distinct four-oval front and rear light bars that give the vehicle a modern identity. The Brabus treatment adds aggressive red accents to the front splitter, side sills, roof rails, and door mirror caps, alongside bright red brake calipers. It sits on exclusive 21-inch Brabus Monoblock Z 10-spoke alloy wheels with a dual-tone black and polished finish. Subdued dark Brabus badging on the tailgate and sills completes the aesthetic without overly cluttering the body lines.
Interior
Inside, the #5 Brabus is dominated by a high-tech dashboard featuring three digital displays. Drivers receive a dedicated digital instrument cluster behind an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel with illuminated Brabus badging and red contrast stitching. Twin 13-inch OLED screens handle central infotainment and front passenger entertainment, driven by high-end computing hardware for rapid responsiveness. Material quality is elevated with Dinamica microfiber upholstery, red seatbelts, custom ambient lighting, and a microfibre roof lining surrounding a full-length panoramic halo glass roof. Audio is delivered via a 20-speaker, 1,190W Sennheiser Signature Sound System with Dolby Atmos.
Performance & Powertrains
Underneath its Geely-derived SEA3 platform sits a dual-motor, AWD electric powertrain delivering 646hp. Engaging Launch Mode allows the 2,378kg SUV to accelerate from 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds, with top speed electronically capped at 130mph. Power comes from a 100kWh battery pack that delivers a driving range of up to 335 miles. Utilizing its 800V electrical hardware, the vehicle supports DC ultra-rapid charging speeds of up to 400kW, enabling a 10% to 80% charge in 18 minutes. While straight-line speed is immense, the dynamic setup retains a surprisingly compliant and comfortable ride quality over harsh tarmac, prioritizing daily refinement over ultra-stiff track handling.
Practicality
Thanks to its generous 2.9-metre wheelbase and vertical tailgate structure, interior accommodation is exceptional. Rear seat passengers benefit from class-leading legroom and headroom, supported by electrically reclining rear seat backs and integrated control buttons on the front passenger seat to slide it forward. Luggage capacity starts at 630 litres with all seats in place, expanding significantly to 1,530 litres when the 60/40 rear seats are folded flat. Up front, the dual-motor layout leaves room for a useful 47-litre frunk ideal for charging cable storage. Cabin storage is further enhanced by floating central console storage and deep door bins.
Buying
The Smart #5 Brabus sits at the top of the line-up with a price of £51,800. Standard specification is expansive, leaving virtually no optional extras to select. Key equipment includes the dual 13-inch OLED displays, Sennheiser 20-speaker audio, augmented reality head-up display, heated and ventilated electric front seats, heated rear seats, 21-inch Monoblock wheels, and the 22kW AC charger. The EV Hub Recommended Configuration has to be the single Brabus trim. It comes fully loaded with all the performance, tech, and visual features included standard.