Smart #1 Hatchback

315kW Brabus 66kWh 5dr Auto [2023]

Smart made its name back in the 1990s, producing a truly tiny city car unlike anything else on the market. Over three generations, the Smart car grew a little but retained its dinky city-friendly design, even going electric in 2019 — making Smart the first European brand to switch its entire line-up (of two models) to electric power.

But 25 years is a long time for any car, and tastes and legislation have changed, meaning Smart has had to come up with something new.

Rather than try to recapture the magic of the original, the brand has decided to reposition itself as a maker of premium electric vehicles, which has seen Daimler-Benz team up for the new endeavour with Chinese car giant Geely, which already has a hand in European brands including Lotus and Volvo, as well as a host of Chinese domestic brands.