THE NUMBER FIVE is considered significant in many fields, including mathematics, science and religions. In numerology, it stands for enjoyment, freedom and adventure, and these are attributes that might have been on the minds of the Smart #5's designers when they were creating the brand's first family SUV.
The electric #5 sets itself apart from its smaller, sleeker #1 and #3 siblings with boxy, rugged-looking exterior styling and the sort of off-road accessories that you'd expect to find on a Land Rover Defender. These outdoorsy looks are backed up by traction-enhancing four-wheel drive (on some versions) and a variety of off-road driving modes.
The #5 does have some of the same design elements as the #1 and #3, including a panoramic glass roof, frameless doors and short front and rear overhangs. At 4705mm long and 1705mm tall, it's larger than a Renault Scenic E-Tech and similar in size to the latest Peugeot e-5008, although it has five seats rather than the latter's seven.
For some drivers, it won't be the exterior styling that captures their imagination as much as the 637bhp power output of the range-topping dual-motor #5. That figure not only trumps the Brabus versions of the #1 and #3 by more than 200bhp, but also makes the hottest #5 more potent than rivals such as the Kia EV6 GT and Tesla Model Y Performance, and close to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N hot hatch.
This story is from the November 2024 edition of What Car? UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 2024 edition of What Car? UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Cupra Formentor
This sharp-looking plug-in hybrid family SUV has plenty of punch and a good electric range; can it be fun as well as frugal? We're finding out
OUR MANIFESTO FOR ACHIEVING EV GOALS
If the Government is serious about phasing out new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, this is what it should do, says Claire Evans
Bucking the trend
Do you think electric cars are all too expensive? Well, think again, because the number of affordable options is growing steadily. We take three on a road trip to find out which one offers the best value
Kia EV3
Smallest member yet of Kia's EV electric car family spells big trouble for plenty of rivals On sale January Price from £32,995
Dacia Spring
The UK's most affordable electric car arrives on our shores - but is it the bargain it appears to be? On sale Now Price from £14,995
Porsche Macan Electric
Entry-level Macan has the longest official range of the line-up. Could it be the one to have? On sale Now Price from £68,555
Vauxhall Frontera
A familiar name returns to replace the Crossland small SUV, and you can have it in petrol or electric form On sale Early 2025 Price from £23,495
BMW 330e
Plug-in hybrid exec gets a bigger battery for a boost in official electric range – and lower company car tax On sale Now Price from £46,985
BYD Sealion 7
Chinese brand BYD's line-up continues to expand with this new, Tesla-rivalling electric family SUV On sale Late 2024 Price from £45,000 (est)
Alpine A290
Sportier version of the Renault 5 electric car aims to deliver hot hatch thrills for a reasonable price On sale March Price from £33,500