With over 360 horsepower: The new Smart car resembles the original small car only in name

SadaNews - Last week, it seemed that the nightmare of the global energy market was turning into reality. The Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world's oil supplies pass, was effectively closed; giant oil tankers were attacked and abandoned off the coast of Oman; drones targeted one of the largest oil fields in Saudi Arabia and ports in the UAE. Senior officials in the Revolutionary Guard hinted that this could be just the beginning of the destruction of energy infrastructure. As a result, global oil and gas prices surged sharply.

If a swift decision is made in Iran, prices may return to their previous levels, but it is clear that further damage to oil production and transportation infrastructure in the Middle East could lead to a global energy crisis.

In the past, energy crises caused immediate damage to the private transportation sector in Israel and around the world, but today, consumers have an alternative option in electric vehicles, which eliminate the reliance on the fluctuations of global fuel prices. However, these cars cannot just be a solution to bypass the fluctuations of fuel prices; they must offer suitable value to customers who can afford unlimited fuel expenses. The new Smart 5 car, from the joint brand between China's Geely and Mercedes, is specifically designed for this segment.

Exterior Design

Aside from the name, the new car has no relation to the heritage of the small and fun cars that the brand started with. The new car is almost two meters longer than the original two-seater Smart car, nearly two meters wide between the mirrors, and 1.71 meters tall. These are dimensions of large crossover vehicles.

The exterior design adopts a simple aesthetic that somewhat resembles IKEA furniture. The front end is square-shaped and practical in design, with a wide horizontal hood that ends with a massive bumper reaching the headlight line. The headlights span the entire width of the front end and are made of small oval sections, while the front roof pillars stand upright, appearing to challenge the curved design of a Tesla.

Cars and Transport

It has dominated the roads of Israel for over 40 years. Only one Japanese brand still leads the way.

The side view shows a large windshield, classic wheel arches, a wide vertical rear roof pillar, and prominent side mirrors. The boxy shape is completed with a rear fitted with large back glass and oval-shaped side lights. Overall, it breaks the mold, resembling a giant toy car.

Inside the Car

As with IKEA cars, the exterior design here optimally utilizes the interior space. The front doors open widely, and the horizontal roof frame makes it easy to enter quickly. The front seats are wide and elevated, allowing two adults to rest their elbows on the center console without touching.

The roof of the car rises above the heads of tall passengers, and the back seat is very spacious, offering ample legroom, similar to cars that have maintained their stature with a wheelbase of 2.9 meters. Three tall adults can comfortably sit, knowing that the middle passenger will feel some discomfort due to the firmness of the backrest.

The trunk is spacious and tall, easy to load, with a capacity of 630 liters of luggage, plus an additional 72 liters in the front luggage compartment.

The interior design is stylish, clearly reflecting the Mercedes character. Sharp and responsive OLED screens, stunning graphics, and a user-friendly interface. There are no physical buttons except for those on the steering wheel and the doors, but there is a voice control system powered by artificial intelligence, which is one of the most accurate systems we have tested. The luxury version we tested features a massive entertainment screen in front of the front passenger on the right of the driver. Practically, this is distracting and unnecessary unless you intend to avoid talking to your passenger at all costs.

Despite the plethora of technologies used, this car is easy to adapt to. The seats are extremely comfortable for long trips, the seats are elevated, and the large windows provide excellent visibility in all directions.

The cabin is covered with high-quality plastic and metal materials, and the sound insulation is excellent. The wonderful interior night lighting, which surrounds the entire cabin, is designed by Mercedes.

Standard equipment across all categories is comprehensive, including a covered panoramic roof, leather upholstery, and more. In the higher category, there is also an amazing sound system with 20 speakers and over 1000 watts of power, which is a unique experience.

Engine and Battery

The higher categories of the Smart 5 car are equipped with a single rear motor producing 363 horsepower and a massive 100 kWh battery, with a range of up to 590 kilometers. There is also a "Brabus" version with two motors, but it is not really necessary for a family car.

Even the version with a single motor can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds, gaining impressive speed on mountainous and flat roads, surpassing most other cars. In most cases, we were satisfied with the quieter driving mode for daily use.

The advertised range is overly optimistic, as expected. The large glass surfaces allow a fair amount of heat into the cabin, and it can be assumed that with air conditioning running continuously during the Israeli summer, which lasts over ten months, the actual range will be 450-500 kilometers. The car also supports fast charging, provided a suitable charger is available in Israel. The energy efficiency angle is completed with an effective system for recycling braking energy, including the option for full braking without using the brake pedal.