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Smart #5 long-term test: report 4

Our subeditor needs a practical, comfortable electric SUV with enough range to cope with a long motorway commute and an active lifestyle

Smart #5 long-term motorway driving

The car Smart #5 Premium Run by Chris Haining, Subeditor

Why it’s here To find out if Smart's flagship makes sense as a do-everything electric family SUV

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Needs to Be relaxing on the commute, fun at the weekend, and effortlessly practical – with a good range

Mileage 5664 List price £47,300 Best Price £45,300 Price as tested £47,300 Official range 366 miles Test range 325 miles

14 October 2026 – A fatherly presence

It likes a chat, does my Smart #5. On my first journey home from work in it, with my route plumbed into the sat-nav, it was keen to keep me abreast of interesting waypoints on the journey. “You’re now in Essex”, it told me – with a hint of mock triumph in its voice – just as the Essex sign hoved into view on the M25.

It reminds me of when my Dad would accompany me in the early stages of my driving career. A reassuring presence in the passenger seat. Concerned with my safety, but proud of my progress. The #5 provides verbal hints and firm warnings. Notice of upcoming speed cameras, together with a reminder of the posted speed limit, delivered with a firm, paternal authority.

Chris Haining

Updated: 14 October 2026

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And then that pride. “You have reached the end of the average speed section. Speed limit is 70; your average speed is 67”. Well done, son. By the way, “watch out for traffic from the right when leaving motorway slip roads”.

Smart #5 long-term country driving

At one point on the A12 just passing Mountnessing, the #5 recommended that I “watch out for large animals in the road ahead”. I kept my eyes open, but I saw no more elephants than I usually do in that part of Essex.

Even the ride seems conversational. The suspension doesn’t make the road disappear entirely, like some SUVs with air suspension seem to (the Audi Q7 and BMW X5 spring to mind), but it gives me a polite and engaging running commentary. Approaching Chelmsford, the #5 was saying “goodness me, this bit of road surface isn't as smooth as the last bit; crikey, did you feel that pothole?”, while the springs and dampers did their best to shield me from it. A bit like a doctor talking you through an invasive procedure.

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The #5 shares my Dad’s dubious sense of humour, too. When I used voice control to ask it to tell me a joke, it came up with “why don't scientists trust atoms?”. Punchline: “Because they make up everything”.

Smart #5 long-term test both pedals warning

Sometimes it nags me, though.“Do not use both pedals at once” occasionally shows on the dash (I have a bad habit of treating automatic cars like go-karts; left foot for stop, right for go), and hey, that’s sage advice if I want the brakes to last as long as possible.

And when I'm ready to leave the car, it chimes in with “don’t forget your mobile phone”. Cheers, Dad. I mean, Smart #5.

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