FIRST DRIVE: Smart #3 - A big surprise ? | Electrifying
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- čas přidán 29. 11. 2023
- #Smart #Smart#3 #hashtag3 #electriccars
A Smart might not seem like the obvious rival to cars like the Tesla Model 3 and Volkswagen ID.3, but Tom thinks this #3 is a genuinely interesting car.
It’s part of Smart's dramatic reinvention and is the second in its new line up of pure electric, ultra-modern family cars. This - the #3 - is a sporty hatchback/coupe with some SUV looks thrown in too. It's an intriguing combination.
It’s the big brother to the recently-launched #1 in Smart’s new range, and is 4,400mm long - that’s about the same length a Mercedes A-Class. It’s made in China by a company called Geely, which also use many of the bits in this to make the Volvo EX30.
But the result of all this reinvention and cross breeding is a car which combines the style, tech and quality of a Mercedes with practicality and a lower price tag.
The #3 has a starting price of £32,950 and the bigger battery Pro+ is £36,950 - which is £12,000 less than the cost of the cheapest Mercedes EQA and puts the Smart up against everything from a Vauxhall Astra and Volkswagen ID.3 to a Tesla Model 3
The cheapest model is called the Pro and has an LFP battery which uses fewer precious metals than the Lithium Ion cells you find in most other electric cars.
The downside is that it has a smaller capacity and therefore less range - it’s a 49kWh battery and gives an official range of 202 miles. Charging on an AC feed is at a maximum of 7.4kW, which is below the average in this class but won’t matter to most drivers who just use a home wallbox. DC rapid charging is at a maximum of 130kW.
Move up to the Pro+ and you’re treated to a 66kWh battery giving 270 miles. AC charging is still 7.4kW, but the DC maximum gets upgraded to 150kW.
The top Premium version gets a heat pump and a more efficient motor which increases the range to 283 miles. The AC inverter also gets an upgrade so it can take 22kW.
There’s an impressive amount of equipment even on the cheapest model, and the quality seems to be at Mercedes levels in most areas.
The motor is surprisingly powerful too, at 268bhp - that’s more than almost all the rivals.
Would you be prepared to make the Smart choice over a Tesla or ID.3? As always, we love to hear what you think, so start typing in the comments below.
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You have to press the a hole to open the boot. Can't wait to explain this to someone who is driving with me for the first time. 🤣🤣
This is enough reason for me to buy the car.
im old enough to remember the days before social media hijacked symbols and # meant 'number' not hashtag, making the smart names number 1 and number 3 , which makes alot more sense
That's what I thought too
It basically just means number 1 and 3, so it's the same.
We wish that’s what they called it, but they purposely decided not to call it that. Every reviewer has made that clarification
This guy’s a great presenter. Good video!
That was a surprising and positive review. A supermodel too
I really enjoyed this review, both informative and also really relaxing. I feel like I have been hypnotised into buying a Smart #3 ;-)
It’s bigger than a EQA , this car is a great buy! Big fan of SMART ❤
The thing is, Smart ARE the new Mercedes A and B class. They really never made sense in the usual customer demographic for mercedes so why not merge them with Smart who were more fun, family and perhaps, ahem, young. It's a good move by mercedes I think . Refocus the brands on where they appeal most and stop chasing every niche with too many models.
What a good looking car: like it a lot. Fab review, thank you.
It looks great in orange and other fun colours
I must admit I really like the Smart designs; they look tidy and modern - and they haven't got a stupid legacy maker's 'grille'.
I think it’s quite a decent looking motor. I’m tempted to get one as it’s perfect price for my company car budget.
Super styling
I would of dismissed this until I saw this film, certainly bang for the buck, the base models is surely all the car you need the same as the base model 3
Did they swap the Fox for a Cheetah?... that could be a dealbreaker. 😆
I like it 👍
Looks good
Looks a really nice car, will be looking into it when I buy next
It looks like a nice car. I'm surprised just how closely they have pitched this to the #1, I thought it was going to be bigger. I wonder when the #4 is coming!
Ps. I drive an ID3 and like the interior. Sure the Smart looks much more premium but I like the space/openness :)
On one hand modern cars have safety systems to stop you hitting things and on the other hand they're full of distracting screens that mean you need the safety features even more. Nice looking car though in my opinion.
A lot of manufacturers have missed a trick when the car goes bing bong ? It should also say , good morning campers 😂😂😂😂
Looks like a credible proposition. Way better than the id3.
I think smart’s redesign cars look fantastic.
Its better looking than the 1, that roofline is always a bit odd on that first car. I like this one, and even on the #1, the interior was always miles better than the competition. Its the same price as a decently equipped jeep avenger, and I think this is probably a nicer car to be in and own.
I'm not sure if this is better looking than a #1 (I just ordered a #1 but could have held off for this), tho I think I slightly dislike coupe SUVs! The jeep is really cheap inside, I thought I would buy one until I sat in it ....
A STRONG contender for my next
We can now say that Smart is trying to compete directly with Mini. Which makes sense because Mini (BMW), Smart (Mercedes).
its very much a Merc. Really intriguing.. Hoping it makes its way to Canada. Could be perfect for my folks.
It's very much a Geely.
a really interesting car! i think its slowly growing on me!
That looks nice would consider that, with Mercedes quality and all.
Thank you Smart for not following the trend of removing rear wipers. Never thought in 2024 a rear wiper would be a deal breaker but there you go. Just a shame they have not improved the battery range.Bit baffling..guess the Smart 4 might address this.
I saw a review of the Brabus version of this on another channel yesterday. My take on that is that it would replace my hooligan 2017 vintage Audi RS3 very well - sadly my better half forced me to sell that last year after an arm injury, mine not hers. This looks as if it would do the same sort of job as an S3 but not quite as good or expensive as an RS3. What I like about the Brabus and this version is that Mercedes were prevented from importing their demented teenage star ship look which infects most of their range at the moment. It has the good bits - engineering, real buttons (mostly), and build quality. Mercedes could learn a bit from Smart.
I find the lane departure warning a pain and always turn it off.it is an E.U. directive we can do without . 11:50 😊
Great review, thanks! But why does everyone call it HASHTAG 3. The # symbol is also used, especially in the USA, to mean NUMBER, hence Smart NUMBER 3 . . .
If don't know where the media gets the 'hashtag' problem from... too much time on Twitter or X or what ever other social site they live in
That would make sense - but Smart do actually call it the 'Hashtag' rather than "Number".
Id3 owner here. Am I jealous? Damn yeah
FWD, for an ordinary family driver not racing away from the lights or testing the limits of handling around bends, makes sense for this style/sector of car. When the AWD version arrives then let's see what happens to the boot space. The b-reel footage of the boot you showed had the boot floor in a raised position, but the full volume needs you to drop it (easily done); that's the space that would be compromised by a rear motor.
Feels roomy inside as that’s helped by the mushroom/cream/ beige colour of the pillars & roof. Fed up of dark upper colours. As cars get newer, they get more claustrophobic because of the safety cells
Doesnt # mean "number"? So this could be Number 3 🤔. Quite like the interior but, im with you, buttons are just more practical for the cabin.
I agree - The 'hash tag' rubbish only relates to Twitter etc. - Before the social media adoption of the # it always and still does mean 'number'! The lack of understanding of the media is frustrating #electrifying
That would make sense - but Smart do actually call it the 'Hashtag' rather than "Number".@@markthomas7104
Very logical numbering when you understand that # is also used as an abbreviation for number…..so it’s Smart number 3….very logical
That would make sense - but Smart do actually call it the 'Hashtag' rather than "Number".
Really wish theyd come out with the new version of the forfour EV with a slightly longer range than 100
I suspect that they will be able to make it unaffordable for a suitable Australian version…….just like the Volvo version.
Unless you have to drive with four adults, #1 looks like a better choice. shorter, larger boot, with a shade for the pano roof, and you will keep a couple of hundred for charging
New cars never squeek or rattle: check them after 12 months😅
It looks how Mercedes-Benzes should look…
6:42 Barabbas version? What, the one where you get co-crucified with a thief by the authorities?
Dont be so down. Always look on the bright side of life.
So, I wasn’t the only one that heard that!
Do you know if this can be fitted with a towbar
The Barrabas Version?!!?? "Release Barrabas" 😇
My girlfriend really likes the car, so I need to come to youtube for infomation. Thanks
Good review. Brabus version looks best.
He visto tu vídeo y he decidido comprarlo en ese color exterior
Y el interior en negro Espero no haberme equivocado
En tu vídeo ese color se ve genial
Yo la acabo de comprar esta semana en blanco con interior marrón.
Love the #3. However with the current pricing in Germany it’s 5100-6100€ more expensive than the #1 in the same edition (Premium/Brabus). That is too much.
I am considering buying a #3 but am a bit afraid of the firmer suspension, do you experience it as uncomfortable? is it really a big difference with the #1, I did a test drive with the #1 and thought it was very good, although a little firmer wouldn't be that bad as long as the difference is not too big, in Belgium #3 is not yet available for test drive, but I am considering ordering without a test drive
I know the anxiety of buying a new car, but wait 1 month and test drive it... you will be more confident in buying and will be a better buy for you in my opinion
Looks great as an a class replacement which is stopping production in2025 i believe
It’s hard to understand why this is a Smart (with a rubbish name) instead of just a Mercedes
They Really could have put a TriStar face on it and called it the EQA and it'd sell in the millions. I think it's biggest obstacle will be that Smart badge and the bubble face. Just like the greatest problem with the Ora Cat was what it looked like. Bubble has never worked. The Fiat Multipla and the Micra K12 taught us that😅
Genuinely the back end, rear quarter and side profile are gorgeous.
the k12 was wildly successful tho
Micra K11 and K12. MINI. New Beetle. Fiat 500. Mk1 Twingo. Bubble works a lot of the time!
@@Electrifyingcom I'd call all of those retro styled, they're modernisations of classic shapes. It's the bulbous, beluga whale look which hasn't ever been popular. Even the much sleeker EQS while a wonderful car, is ribbed for it's looks 😅
Did Tom say Barabas instead of Brabus?
Am, it is not a replica of byd atto 3?
Which is better the #1, #3 or volvo ex 30? I'm sure many would love to know.
SAme platform doesn't mean same car. Volvo is a different car than Smart. Do you like Mercedes or Volvo in terms of drive, appointments, etc? And who defines better?
Smart is more luxurious, volvo is minimalist and cheap
This is a question I am currently also asking. I prefer the styling of the EX30 to the #1. However, I prefer the #1's inclusion of a display behind the steering wheel and a head-up display which is not even an option on the Volvo. The movable rear seat bench also means you have greater flexibility in trading between legroom and boot space in the #1 than the EX30. From what I can tell based on reviews, the Smart goes for a more comfortable ride, whereas the Volvo is maybe a little more sporty.
And now there is the #3. I think it looks nicer than the #1, and offers better rear legroom and boot space thanks to being a longer car. Yet, it appears to achieve slightly better range and performance from the same batteries and motors as the #1. Not sure how they have managed that. Also, one review I watched claimed that the annoying attention monitoring system in the #1 is far less annoying in the #3, and that the ride is also better.
Having said all that, cost is key. And, on my company's salary sacrifice scheme, the #1 is about £80 to £90 per month cheaper than the equivalent spec EX30 on the same lease terms. I have no idea why. But, based on that, I have ruled out the EX30. I am now just waiting to see the #3 appear on the site so I can see how that compared cost-wise to the #1.
@@johnfranklin6394 the #1 after the ota update apparently also complains less
@@MaticTheProto People reviewing the car says the materials aren't cheap feeling. Volvo is Volvo, Scandinavian design. The materials are going toward sustainable and I think Volvo is a leader in that direction.
#3 車頂可裝行李架？
Wouldn’t it be just great if someone could design and build a modern day ‘people’s car’…affordable for the masses…🤔
The Citroen eC3 will be just that.
@@stevenjones916 you beat me to saying that...! 🤣
What is this colour?
I like SMART. I’m a first generation former owner of a Smart car. #3 I like it but then I don’t. It looks too much like a Mercedes. “Looks” is all I got since I can not test drive one, but I would not be surprised when it drives like a Mercedes. A lot of Smart/Swatch DNA is lost, and that’s sad. For an example. BMW did a fine job at keeping most of the MINI DNA
Hash tag the symbol is also known as number so its the Smart number 3
That would make sense - but Smart do actually call it the 'Hashtag' rather than "Number".
Seems sensible and it isn't actually even that expensive considering it's basically a Merc.
The naming (In my opinion only, just a theory) is focusing on social media platforms. The 20s- 30s generation they aim to target will be sharing in posts they have new car '#3' and by mentioning it causing reference in social media. Creating more "free" adverts on these platforms. All such public references will be grouped and create a sense of community instantly...
Great review. I really like the look of this car - interior looks much nicer than the Volvo EX30..... which would you choose Tom?
I've sat in an ex30, and have one on order, have to say i prefer the EX30 interior, felt much more spacious than the #3
I like the Volvo interior. It has more interesting uses of car materials, not the same old stuff that's in other cars.
"I'm only 5'8" but I've got a good few inches here!"
Really wish car manufacturers would stop using stalks for gear changes (or regen modes) on UK models.
In the States...this # is also know as a pound sign...so it make the vehicle a Smart Pound Three
Also Number 3. Either way, stupid naming system.
Does the hash mean number..so number three/
It’s a Merc not a Smart.The smart is a small city car.
I'd have this over the Merc alternatives - the smaller battery version sounds ideal.
And the name... yeah, but I have to wonder where the #2 went.
The volume keeps going in and out...
Nice review esp on the driving part where you pick up on the oversensitive go pedal.Not a fan of these enclosed "cockpit" style front seats, so enclosing theres even a soft knee rest. Id prefer a car that doesn't need one in the first place. Better in the back than an EX30 at least. then again i think you pay for that.
Agree about the constricting cockpit - occasionally you end up parked in such a way that you need to clamber over the middle to the passenger-side door - or sometimes you need to lean in to the back to help fasten a kids' seatbelt or calm a dog down - just seems unnecessarily claustrophobic without any obvious benefit other than being an armrest.
I like the presenter and it's one of the few EVs that aren't goofy looking or ugly. That being said, I'd never buy it because the range is half what it should be, a heat pump should be standard across the range, and it's German. The Germans simply don't take care of their customers properly when things go wrong, which happens too often with German cars on my side of the pond.
How many prams are you going to miss with that screen sticking up covering a large part of the road.
I have a Fiat. Second hand, it was 4.5k euros and I get 600 miles of range.
Do you get 0-60 in 3.7s like the #3 AWD as well?
It’s not hashtag 3 the hashtag originally means number. The car is called smart number 3
The "cheetah" is dumb, but… I really like it. Sadly, I doubt we'll see it on this side of the pond.
No buttons no buy😒
Ceramic cream?
So, to open the boot you have to press the a hole, maybe not the best thought through idea 🤭
Have to press the finger in the a hole. yes :)
Shows just how silly the EX30 display is. Boot is not big enough for me. If they added about 30cm it would do nicely. I can see why many would just buy a model 3 instead.
Because the model 3 boot is far more annoying?
Well #3 can be read as "number three"...
That would make sense - but Smart do actually call it the 'Hashtag' rather than "Number".
it's not bad . if I had the money i would get the mg4
Some people are always seduced by a badge. Enter the Range Rover Evoque which was basically a Freelander in a pretty frock. Ditto the Audi Q3 which is the same from the VW Tiguan 😉
I love the massive Bentley Mulsanne styled alloy wheels.
That's why they look familiar! Thank you. I was thinking RR Phantom.
yes! I knew I saw them somewhere (not on my driveway)
Not fitting heat pumps on all models is a massive mistake, why waste range especially seeing as they’ve gone to the trouble of designing and manufacturing one, and far better to omit something else assuming the heat pump costs a lot more than the bog standard old fashioned heating element.
Dont Forget to add the 10% EU import tariff on all EV's imports from the UK from the EU starting 1st Jan. Just made ICE transport that little bit more attractive thank you EU and your stupid protectionist taxes.
The #3 is made in China
Hyundai and Kia have unveiled a radical new EV drivetrain system
Hyundai and Kia have linked up to reveal a new universally adaptable drivetrain system called the ‘Uni Wheel’, which aims to change both personal and commercial mobility and deep-fry your mind.
The new system integrates pre-existing drivetrain technology that has essentially been re-engineered to move the main drive system components to the vacant area within a car’s wheel hub. Want to understand how it works? Get your nerd hat on, it’s time for a science lesson.
In a traditional combustion-powered car, the power is sent from the engine through the transmission and then to the wheels
using drive shafts and CV joints. In an EV, the electric motor and reduction gear substitute for the engine and the transmission, but the rest of the process remains the same.
The Uni Wheel looks to change this final step by repositioning the reduction gear in an EV to inside the wheel hub and then fitting ‘compact’ individual motors closer to each wheel. This would not only reduce the size of the drive shafts but also the amount of overall floor space used. That means more cabin space for crisps and crumbs to claim as their residence.
OK, ready to get even geekier?
What then allows the Uni Wheel to work is a ‘planetary’ gear configuration, which consists of a centrally-located ‘sun’ gear, four ‘pinion’ gears on each side, and a ‘ring’ gear that sits on the outer edge, posing as the asteroid belt in this particular section of the Solar System.
The power generated by the motor is first sent to the sun gear, which is then relayed to the pinion gears to move the ring gear. The ring gear, which is connected to the actual wheels of the car, then springs into life and enables drive. Keen engineering fanatics will also note that this system could even move the torque vectoring game forward since each wheel basically has its own engine.
The South Korean power couple also says this will have a positive impact on ride comfort since the drivetrain works closely with the multi-axis suspension to ‘stabilise’ the vehicle with quicker bursts of power and torque over rougher surfaces.
The technology will continue to be refined with a view to incorporating it into future products and has the potential to be applied to anything with wheels as small as four inches or as large as 25.
That means it can even be used on different types of mobility solution, ranging from bicycles to wheelchairs. We're left wondering if it could enable a new racing series for delivery robots. ‘Formula Robot’ certainly has a ring to it, no?
Naff name, so no, will rather go to Volvo version
its like tiny mercedes-eq
So are Smart actually calling it "hashtag" 3? Because before Twitter invented using a hash as a tag, a hash was just a symbol for a number. We all know this, right? Isn't it just you know, Number 3?
It's Hashtag....
Oh. Sometimes people need to tell marketing to tone it down...@@Electrifyingcom
Same price as a model 3
I don’t think so 🤣😛
You are right - there is a £50 difference. The Model 3 is £39,990 and the #3 we tested is £39,950.
Correct. Would never take the shitty under equipped tesla 😊
You mention the lane departure being improved in the #1 by an OTA update, but any news on the alertness and speed ones? It wouldn’t be such a problem if they worked, but the constant beeping every time you blink from false alarms is infuriating. My test drive turned me off buying on this issue alone.
The alertness has been fixed on the #3 and we also drove a #1 with the new software and it was fine. The speed alerts are now a voice warning rather than a beep and they are annoying, especially as they are not accurate.
Thanks for the reply, looks like I need to arrange a re-test-drive.
I have the speed alert voice warning turned off on my #1, just getting a gently flashing speed limit sign when it thinks for example I should still be doing 30 in what is actually a 50 zone!
Oh look. Another car not coming to the States.
I don't know why 11Kw "home" charging is put across as being such a big deal?... 11Kw EV chargers only run on 3-phase electric. 3 phase is NOT what you have in a domestic property. As far as I know, you CANNOT get 3-phase on a housing estate.
You "may" have it at your office/factory for running heavy equipment e.g. a commerical printing press, aircon units, furnaces etc... but for home-charging having 11Kw on an EV is totally irrelevant.... ~7Kw is the best you can hope for. So I don't get the review comment of 7.4Kw being "below-par" - it just simply isn't... It's not just reading specs off a sheet.
In some countries, other than the UK, domestic 3-phase is almost 'standard', I believe.
We have been running a Nissan Ariya with 22kW AC and have found it really useful on a number of occasions. There are many public charge points which offer 22kW feeds including at supermarkets and other destinations. At these places it makes plugging in for an hour truly worthwhile. With a 7.4kW charger it isn't.
Wait, UK homes don't have 3-phase power??
in Portugal you can have either mono or three phase with relative ease for domestic use... main uses for 3 phase besides ev car charging are swimming pools, pumps, special ovens..
你的说法完全正确。而且7kw的完全够用，我的车有70度电的电池即使剩下10%的电到第二天早上7点上班前也能充满，而且7kw的充电器有助于减缓电池老化
it's simply incorrect to call it hashtag one, # has always meant "Number", so it's simply Smart number 1, 2 and 3
a hashtag is a # (also called hash) followed by a word, the tag !, hashtag is not the character itself
as 1, 2 3 are clearly numbers, not words, the original meaning of the # sign, NUMBER (just check wikipedia) prevails, whatever smart say, they can't change the meaning of letters even if they want to, and i doubt that they intended the car to be called hashtag ! something might have been lost between departments at mercedes, but that is irrelevant, it's NUMBER 1, PERIOD ! (oh no, no period, sorry, exclamation point !)
Insurance is more than double of a conventional car and charging costs as much away a filling station , taking into account the cost of the car it’s a big no from me….
Classic mistake…you mixed up the price of fossil fuel with the COST of fossil fuel
Let’s be honest how many from the comments are going to buy this car really….. I thought so
I just bought it :)
@@SerialKoE unlucky..
At least it's not an SUV. I think. It's hard to tell these days (or even know what an SUV is or isn't).
Why don't we forget Twitter ever happened and refer to these cars as the "number one" and "number three"? That is what this sign --> #
When you say the boot has an annoying lip, I find it more annoying when all my stuff falls out of the boot because I’ve parked on a hill. More boot lips please
The biggest elephant in the room is that this thing will retail for about £2.99 by next Easter!
If it doesn't get flambayeed first.
Excellent - I'll have two at that price.