Compared with the Smart #1, the #3 is longer, lower, and wider, with an extra 35mm between the front and rear wheels. The shape is sleek with strong, sharp lines, with tapering LED headlights flanking a distinctive shark nose front end. An out-and-out sports utility coupé, the Smart #3’s chassis is seamless, smooth, and athletic. Yet despite the lower stance there’s still plenty of headroom inside, thanks to the lower-mounted seats. Accentuating the #3’s sporty character, driver and front seat passenger are separated by a high centre console, while the large standard sunroof gives the cabin an airy and welcoming ambience.
PERFORMANCE
The entry level Pro trim comes with a 49kw/h battery, giving it a maximum range of 202 miles. The Pro+, Premium and dual-motor BRABUS have a larger 62kW/h battery, giving the Premium an official range of around 283 miles. Pro, Pro+ and Premium feature a 271hp electric motor driving the rear wheels, registering a nippy 0-62mph time of 5.8 seconds. The dual-motor, all-wheel drive BRABUS, however, gets the 0-62mph time down to just 3.7 seconds, with a maximum range of 258 miles. A lower ride height and sports-tuned suspension gives all Smart #3 models an agile and composed stance when cornering.
TECHNOLOGY
Driver information is displayed on a 9.2-inch digital instrument panel, while the infotainment system is controlled via a central 12.8-inch touchscreen. This displays a personal assistant avatar in the form of a cheetah, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring are standard. The entry level Pro version comes with sunroof, automatic LED headlights, a 360-degree camera, 19-inch wheels, heated front seats and a powered bootlid, while the range topping Premium and BRABUS models have a head-up display, an uprated sound system, automatic parking assist, a heat pump and ambient lighting. Over-the-air updates keep all the software up to date.
SAFETY
The Smart #3 gets the maximum 5-star safety rating, with 90% for adult occupant safety, 86% for child occupants, 84% for vulnerable road users and 85% for its numerous safety assist systems. Lane assist, autonomous emergency braking, speed assistance and cyclist dooring protection are all included.
