smart #5 launched in Malaysia from RM199,800 – big battery, 15-minute charging, BRABUS 645 PS

KUALA LUMPUR: smart Malaysia has launched the smart #5, and this is easily the most serious model the brand has brought in so far.

Two variants are available — the Premium at RM199,800 and the BRABUS at RM249,800 — and both sit in a completely different league from the smaller smart #1.

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

From the size to the cabin tech to the way it’s been specced, this one feels like the brand finally building an EV for Malaysian family life, not just urban commuting.

 The FIRST 300 to own the car has a long list of ownership perks aimed squarely at early adopters:

• Complimentary RM3,200 wallbox

• Complimentary RM800 V2L adaptor

• 3-year data plan (108 GB total)

• Accessories package worth RM2,000

Warranty 

Coverage is comprehensive:

• 8 years/200,000 km battery

• 8 years/150,000 km high-voltage components

• 4 years unlimited mileage vehicle warranty

• 2 years unlimited mileage spare parts

• 24/7 roadside assistance

Big battery, 800-volt hardware, and very fast charging

Underneath, the #5 runs a 100 kWh battery paired with an 800-volt architecture, which is how it achieves that headline DC charging figure — 10–80% in roughly 15 minutes when plugged into a 400 kW charger. That’s about as fast as things get in this price bracket right now.

Range is strong too. The Premium line claims up to 590 km (WLTP), while the BRABUS version manages 540 km, understandable since the BRABUS packs a dual-motor AWD setup pushing 645 PS and a very un-smart-like 3.8-second 0–100 km/h time. The Premium, meanwhile, goes with a single-motor 363 PS rear-drive layout.

Design: still smart, just grown up

In person, the #5 looks distinctly smarter — literally — than earlier models. It keeps the frameless doors and the Panoramic Halo Roof, but this time wrapped in a boxier body and those oblong CyberSparksLED+ headlights. The matte colours and the oak trim inside give it a more premium, outdoorsy feel rather than the usual city-EV aesthetic.

The cabin is packed to the brim with screens: two 13-inch AMOLED panels plus a 10.25-inch instrument cluster, and an AR head-up display that actually works cleanly even under event lighting. The Premium and BRABUS get the full 20-speaker Sennheiser system with Dolby Atmos, which is honestly the kind of thing you see in cars twice the price.

Cargo space is another highlight — up to 1,530 litres with the seats down. There’s even a frunk (72 L Premium, 47 L BRABUS), which is rare for something this size.

Rear-seat “1-button lounge mode” and other comforts

One feature that stands out is its 1-Button Comfort Mode. Press a button from the rear left seat and the front passenger seat automatically slides away while the rear seat reclines. It’s the kind of party trick you expect from an Alphard or a high-spec German SUV, not a smart.

There’s more — ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, ambient lighting, a proper dual-zone climate system, Camping Mode with mattress layouts, and V2L for powering equipment outdoors. It’s clear this car wasn’t designed just for Klang Valley mall runs.

Drive modes for more than tarmac

smart really wants buyers to know the #5 can do more than school runs. There’s a full suite of off-road modes — Sand, Mud, Snow, Rock — plus Adaptive mode on the Premium and BRABUS. You still get all the expected ADAS features: smart Pilot Assist, 360° cameras, and 12 parking sensors with auto-park.

The smart #5 feels like a coming-of-age model for the brand — bigger, better built, properly equipped, and surprisingly fast to charge.

It’s also one of the few EVs in this price range that’s thinking beyond city roads, with features that lean into travel and outdoor use. Pricing is competitive, the kit list is long, and the ownership package is reassuring.

Whether this will push smart into the mainstream EV conversation here remains to be seen, but the #5 certainly makes a strong case for itself.

Also Read: Pro-Net expands EV network across Malaysia; opens new e.MAS and smart outlets