First Look: smart #5 previewed in Malaysia - Up to 639PS/710Nm and 590km WLTP range

KUALA LUMPUR: The smart brand has been steadily reinventing itself under Mercedes-Benz and Geely’s joint stewardship, and the new smart #5 is its boldest step yet.

Previewed in Malaysia for the second time which hints at its imminent launch, the all-electric SUV brings together rugged styling, premium detailing, long-range EV tech and a dash of Smart’s quirky personality.

Also Read: Smart #5 electric SUV makes its world premiere

A new direction for Smart

Traditionally known for tiny city cars, Smart is now positioning the #5 as a true SUV — bigger, tougher and capable of venturing beyond smooth urban roads.

The design sets the tone: upright and squared-off, with a confident stance that looks equally at home on city streets or gravel trails. Both front and rear feature continuous light bars, reinforcing its futuristic character.

The BRABUS version, as expected, pushes things further with a sportier treatment — red accents, Alcantara trim, aggressive spoilers and exclusive 21-inch Monoblock Z alloy wheels.

Colour options reflect its dual personality. Premium variants are offered in shades like Meta Black, Cyber Silver, Pulsar Ruby and Saturn Beige, all paired with contrasting Eclipse Black.

The BRABUS editions go bolder with Atom Grey Matte, Meta Black or Digital White finishes, again tied together with Eclipse Black highlights.

Performance: Silent but ferocious

There will be three smart#5 models introduced in Malaysia, the first two being the Premium and BRABUS, with the Pro arriving in 2026.

The Pro version will come with a 76 kWh battery, a single-motor rear-wheel-drive layout producing 250 kW and 373 Nm, and a WLTP range of 465 km.

It does the century sprint in 6.9 seconds, rides on 19-inch alloys, and is fitted with PU leather trim, a 9-speaker audio system, and 11 kW AC charging — making it the most accessible way into smart #5 ownership.

The Premium variant sits at the heart of the smart #5 range, balancing performance, range and refinement. It comes with a larger 100 kWh battery paired to a single-motor setup producing 267 kW and 373 Nm, good for a WLTP range of up to 590 km and a 0–100 km/h sprint in 6.5 seconds.

Where the other smarts were about economy, the #5 BRABUS shifts the narrative. The BRABUS-tuned dual-motor setup delivers 475 kW (639 PS) and 710 Nm of torque, enough for 0–100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds.

Smart claims AWD engagement can switch from rear-wheel drive to full grip in just 50 milliseconds, ensuring responsiveness on both dry tarmac and slippery surfaces.

It isn’t just about brute force. A tight 5.6-metre turning radius makes it city-friendly, while braking distances are quoted at under 34.5 metres.

The combination of raw speed and usable agility suggests Smart has worked to balance fun with daily usability.

Built for more than boulevards

Unlike many premium EVs that only look the part, the smart #5 genuinely courts adventure. It rides with 197 mm of ground clearance and can wade through up to 500 mm of water. Approach and departure angles stand at 19° and 24° respectively.

On top of that, five dedicated drive modes cover different conditions: snow, sand, mud, all-terrain and rock. These modes adjust traction and power delivery, helping the SUV tackle a wider range of surfaces than most rivals.

Range and Charging

The #5 is built on an 800V electric platform paired with a 100 kWh battery pack. Maximum range is quoted at 590 km (WLTP), which puts it among the longest-legged EVs in its class.

But what stands out is its charging capability: under optimal conditions, it can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in just 15 minutes using DC fast charging.

Battery durability has been a core focus. The pack has been subjected to 218 system-level and 675 component tests, covering extreme scenarios such as 24-hour water immersion at 1 metre depth, mechanical shocks up to 60G, 240-hour heat-and-moisture cycles and high-altitude operation at 5,000 metres. It meets dual five-star safety standards (Euro NCAP and C-NCAP) and passes a wide range of crash scenarios, from low-speed bumper knocks to 80 km/h rear-end collisions.

Cabin Experience: From rugged to refined

Inside, Smart shifts gears from outdoorsy to upscale. The Premium variant cocoons passengers in black nappa leather, covering nearly 90% of the cabin, complemented by real wood trim. The BRABUS version swaps wood for Alcantara, mixes in Napa leather, and adds red seatbelts, headrests and pedals.

The dashboard is dominated by twin 13-inch OLED displays and a massive 25.6-inch augmented-reality head-up display, giving both driver and passenger expansive digital interfaces.

Interestingly, Smart has built in a cheeky safety feature: if the car is moving and the driver stares at the passenger’s screen for more than three seconds, the car flashes a reminder to refocus on the road. Yes, the screen is allowed to be on while the car is moving, but it's meant for the passengers. You can stream anything from Youtube to Netflix.

Space is generous too. With a 2,900 mm wheelbase, interior efficiency is rated at 85%. Rear passengers benefit from 156 mm of knee room and powered seat recline via a one-touch “BOSS button.” Luggage capacity maxes out at 1,530 litres in the boot plus 72 litres in the frunk.

Technology and Sound

Technology takes centre stage in the smart #5. The infotainment runs Smart’s AI-driven system, backed up by Dolby Atmos-enabled Sennheiser audio. With 20 speakers and AMBEO immersive sound algorithms, the system produces over 2000 watts of output — putting it in the realm of luxury SUVs.

Other highlights include an auto-lift centre speaker, real wood trims in the Premium cabin, powered tailgate with kick sensor, and door-opening buttons that replace traditional handles.

Beyond the flashy hardware, the #5 also packs future-ready tech. There’s V2L (vehicle-to-load) functionality, allowing owners to power external devices directly from the car.

Processing power comes from an AMD V2000 automotive-grade chipset with 394K DMIPS of computing strength, paired with 24 GB of memory and 256 GB of storage.

The infotainment system supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with Smart also teasing ChatGPT integration for voice assistance.

The In-Car suite

Perhaps the most surprising feature is the “In-car Suite,” which transforms the SUV into a lounge or even a bedroom. The interior can be reconfigured into multiple bed layouts, including a super-large bed measuring 2.7 m by 1.4 m.

A powered sunshield, all around soundproof privacy glass and 256-colour ambient lighting create a cocoon-like environment, aimed squarely at long road trips or glamping-style adventures.

Smart says the #5 uses laminated double-layer soundproof glass and 57 layers of sound-absorbing material throughout the cabin, complemented by hydraulic bushings for vibration isolation.

At the rear, passengers enjoy a ‘first-class cabin’ mode with 480 mm of knee room and a 10° reclining backrest, turning long trips into lounge-like experiences.

ADAS and Safety

On the driver assistance front, the #5 debuts 5R6V ADAS technology, powered by a Mobileye EyeQ6L chip and supported by 23 sensors. These include 12 ultrasonic radars, 5 millimetre-wave radars, 4 surround-view cameras and 2 high-definition detection cameras, plus a cockpit camera for driver monitoring.

The result is a robust Level 2+ ADAS suite, with faster processing and more precise detection compared to the smart #1 and #3. Combined with the extensive crash and battery safety testing, Smart is clearly positioning the #5 as a benchmark for safety as well as performance.

Compared to the smaller smart #1 and #3, the #5 debuts sharper driver assistance tech. Its new 8 MP forward camera, 3 MP rear camera, and upgraded 3 MP 360° surround-view setup deliver clearer detection in rain or night conditions.

Features like auto lane change assist, smoother traffic jam assist, and fully autonomous parking all work faster and more precisely, supported by Mobileye’s EyeQ6L chip.

First Impressions

The smart #5 isn’t just another EV SUV. It’s a confident step into new territory for the brand — larger, tougher and more versatile than anything Smart has built before.

On one hand, it delivers nearly supercar-level performance and cutting-edge technology; on the other, it can wade through streams, carry camping gear and even turn into a makeshift bedroom.

It’s this mix of premium European refinement, rugged SUV credentials and quirky Smart personality that sets it apart. While Malaysian pricing is still a mystery, the #5 looks well-equipped to shake up a segment currently contested by the likes of the BYD,MINI and the recently launched Zeekr 7X

It feels like for Smart, this isn’t just a new model. It’s a statement of intent, one that could perhaps make or break them in Malaysia, because since the arrival of many other EVs in our market, smart has seemed to have taken a back seat.

Also Read: Review: 2024 smart#3 Pro - Why this EV is the real deal