Soon, the Smart #3 will take its place alongside the Smart #1, offering potential buyers a full-electric SUV with a sleeker, sportier-looking shape. If you’ve been to the recent KL Car Free Day, you’d have spotted it in all is camouflage glory. The Smart #3’s departure in styles is a welcoming one, especially when Smart could have just enlarged the #1 and called it a day. Certain automakers do precisely that.
DESIGNED BY MERCEDES-BENZ
It is no secret that the Mercedes-Benz global design team penned the Smart #3. And perhaps, if you squint, you might see a semblance of the GLC Coupe – might. Nevertheless, from the shark-styled snout right to the flying-wing elements roof that dramatically slopes down to the rear spoiler, joined by muscular rear shoulder lines makes the Smart #3 look fast.
The design isn’t just for show. The #3 boasts a low drag coefficient of 0.27. Smart counts 12 aerodynamic optimisations, including front wheel and rear wheel wind deflectors, active air intake grille, wind blade air curtain, rearview mirror and aerodynamic rims. However, the aerodynamic wheels are only available on the Premium variant.
Following the Smart #1, the Smart #3 comes in three flavours – the base PRO, the Goldilocks Premium and the spicy BRABUS.
Regardless of the variant, all Smart #3 SUVs are highlighted by LED Matrix headlights, dynamic LED taillights, concealed door handles, frameless doors, welcome light, illuminated logo and a hidden tailgate switch. Although all variants are fitted with 19-inch alloy wheels, the design of the wheel is variant-specific.
The Smart #3 BRABUS edition adds a red illuminated front grille, sporty rear spoiler, red contrasting colour roof, 20-inch Starlink five-spoke wheels with red callipers, BRABUS welcome light and BRABUS logos placed tastefully around the car.
The feature that catches your eye first would be the air-intake slit on the hood, which is funny because an EV has no need for intake scoops.
MINIMALISM AT ITS MAXIMUM
The Smart #3’s interior is uncluttered with large surfaces finished in chrome and leather. In the middle of the dashboard sits a 12.8-inch touchscreen that houses all of the car’s functions, including climate control, entertainment and drive modes. Playful animation starts whenever you engage the centre screen. A slim 9.2-inch full LCD screen becomes the instrument cluster and it is partnered with a 10-inch full-colour HUD to relay important information.
Turbine-style air vents, flat-bottom steering wheel, the sports seats and the Beats High-end 13-speaker sound system bring liveliness to the interior. Inside, the Smart #3 also features hidden wireless charging with four USB ports and a chiller in the high centre console.
The raised centre console effectively splits the front seats, creating a comfortable cocoon for the occupants. The seats are comfortable, and nicely bolstered to hold the torso and thighs in place.
But if you want a sportier interior, the Smart #3 BRABUS does it better. Inside, the BRABUS Black is the colour of choice, highlighted by contrasting stitching. The steering is wrapped in Alcantara and illuminated with the BRABUS logo.
The #3 BRABUS adds a few more exclusive bits to the interior. A BRABUS Design headrest, seat rivets, microfibre suede seats, red sporty seatbelt and aluminium pedals are all found in there.
POWER & HANDLING – FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE GOOD
The Smart #3’s motors derive power from either a 49kWh or 66kWh battery, which gives the WLTP range of 325km for the Pro or 455km for the Premium. Both variants take a blistering 5.8 seconds to reach 100kph from zero and up to a maximum speed of 180kph. A side note, the Pro and Premium are both rear-wheel drive vehicles.
The all-wheel drive BRABUS does it quicker. With a 0-100kph time in 3.7 seconds, the #3 BRABUS crushes the 0-400 metres in 11.97 seconds. The BRABUS also features launch control with a countdown timer puts you in the mood. Accelerating this way pushes you deep into the seats as it unleashes your true potential.
No matter which Smart #3 you go with, you’d be amazed how effortless this SUV reaches 150kph. It feels as if there’s a 3.0-litre V6 upfront but in reality, there’s nothing underneath the hood. The easy acceleration applies not just to the #3 BRABUS, but also the rear-wheel drive versions too.
The Smart #3 feels confidently planted at high speeds, tracking straight lines as if the SUV is on rails. The chassis consists of a MacPherson suspension in front and multi-links in the rear. The suspension is tuned differently between the RWD and AWD versions – one favours rear-seat ride comfort and the other is tuned for precise steering response.
The all-wheel drive #3 BRABUS’s chassis is reinforced with thicker front and rear stabiliser bars to reduce body roll and improve the cornering limit.
Through the corners, the #3 performs as it should by offering loads of grip on the parabolic, the mid-speed corners and the low-speed slalom. The steering feels precise and quick with the rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions. Perhaps a run through hillside roads would be a better test rather than through well-placed traffic cones.
In the end, there’s only so much that can be gleaned from driving on a test track. What couldn’t be sussed out was how the suspension would deal with the typical imperfections of the road.
As is, the Smart #3 is a drive nicely. Having a longer range, especially on the #3 Premium, should eliminate any range anxiety that usually comes with EVs. And if I were to put my money down for one, the Smart #3 Premium, which offers the best balance of range and power, is my pick of the day.
