THREE STYLING (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_smart_hash_3_2024

By Jonathan Crouch

The smart brand widens its EV portfolio with this #3 Coupe-SUV. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 55

The smart #3 is the more affordable trendy all-electric Coupe-SUV you didn't know existed. Think small Mercedes EV crossover with a bit of extra youthful flair and you're somewhere close to what this car is trying to be. It turns heads, feels quite sporty and has a younger outlook on life. There's lots to like.

Backgroundword count: 124

We're all having to readjust our perceptions of what the smart brand stands for. Once a maker of tiny microcars, it's now realigning itself as a purveyor of much bigger, pricier and more profitable lifestyle-orientated compact electric models. A shift confirmed by this contender, the smart #3. In essence, this is a Coupe-SUV version of the smart #1 hatch that began the brand's new era of joint ownership between Mercedes and the Chinese Geely conglomerate. But a lot more's been done here than just adding a slinkier shape. This #3 model's stretched wheelbase allows it to be an even larger interpretation of what a smart car can be. Plus lowered suspension aims to make it sportier to drive too. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experienceword count: 275

The days of feebly-performing smart models that struggled outside the city limits are long behind us. The mid-range 'Premium' version of this smart #3 that most will choose develops a useful 268bhp and 343Nm of torque from its single rear-mounted e-motor. Which propels the car with satisfying urgency, 62mph from rest dispatched in just 5.8s en route to 112mph. The 62kWh battery gives 283 miles of range - 10 miles more than the equivalent smart #1 thanks to sleeker aerodynamics. If you don't need quite that much, there's an entry-level 'Pro' model with a smaller 49kWh battery, but that's limited to 202 miles of range. As with the #1, there's an AWD BRABUS version at the top of the range, which gains an extra motor at the front axle, boosting power output to 422bhp. With the provided 'Rocket Start' launch control system engaged, 62mph here flashes by in just 3.7s and the range figure is 258 miles. Whatever #3 variant you choose, it'll immediately feel sportier than the equivalent #1 thanks to the lower, more focused driving position, stiffer springs and dampers and marginally wider tyres. The car also gets its own steering configuration and stability control tuning. There are the same drive modes though - 'Eco', 'Comfort' and 'Sport', plus an extra 'BRABUS' mode on the top version. The prodigious kerb weight is familiar from the #1 too - the 'Premium' version tips the scales at 1,810kg, which makes it about 60kg heavier than a #1. There are two brake regeneration settings which you alter via the centre touchscreen - 'standard' and 'strong'. The latter isn't quite fierce enough to facilitate 'one pedal' driving.

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