Smart #3: brand’s biggest-ever car is coming to Europe

Smart has become famous for making some of the smallest cars on the road, yet its largest model ever could soon be coming to the UK.

After making its debut at the Shanghai Auto Show, the Smart #3 is confirmed to be coming to Europe in 2023, starting with Germany. The #3 (pronounced ‘hashtag three’) will sit above the smaller #1 in the maker’s new all-electric lineup and will be a rival to other plug-in coupe-SUVs such as the Skoda Enyaq Coupe, Tesla Model Y, Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron and the forthcoming Cupra Tavascan.

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As you can see, the #3’s design language is a subtle evolution of the smaller Smart #1 electric crossover that launched last year. Like that car, the #3 features a smooth, swooping design with full-width light bars at the front and rear, plus a sloping roofline. The interior layout is also pretty similar, too, with a 12.8-inch central touchscreen, cocoon-like centre console and optional large panoramic glass roof.

However, at 4.4 metres long, 1.8 metres wide and 1.6 metres tall, the Smart #3 is smaller than many of its coupe-SUV rivals, such as the Tesla Model Y. It’s still longer than the #1, though, which measures in at just under 4.3 metres in length.

The Smart #3 sits on the same SEA platform that underpins the Smart #1, as well as the upcoming Volvo EX30. As previously thought, most versions of the #3 get a single, rear-mounted 268bhp electric motor. An even faster Brabus model will also be offered, with a muscular 422bhp dual-motor powertrain and a 0-62mph time of just 3.7 seconds.

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All Smart #3 models share the same 62kWh (usable) battery for a maximum range of up to 283 miles – quite a bit shorter than nearly all of the Smart’s main rivals, which feature larger batteries. At least the #3’s charging capabilities are competitive, with a maximum DC rate of 150kW allowing for a 10-80% top-up in under half an hour. 

While the Smart #3 is due to go on sale in Germany before the end of the year, Smart remains tight-lipped about when we can expect it to land in the UK. It’s likely, however, that the Smart #3 will go on sale on this side of the Channel sometime early next year in Premium, Pro+, 25th Anniversary Edition and Brabus guises, with prices starting from around £40,000.