smart #5 crowned Family Electric SUV of the Year at 2026 What Car? Awards

The smart #5 was named Family Electric SUV of the Year at the What Car? Awards 2026

• smart #5 sees off competition to be named best car in its class.
• Judges cited #5’s impressive range, fast charging, comfortable ride and high-quality interior.
• Win follows similar recognition for smart #1 and #3, demonstrating the strength and depth of full smart range.

(January 23, 2026, Hangzhou, China)The all-electric smart #5 has been crowned Family Electric SUV of the Year at the prestigious What Car? Awards 2026 in London, UK. The victory sees the #5 follow in the footsteps of its fellow smart models, with the smart #1 having claimed Best Small Electric SUV at the 2024 What Car? Awards and the smart #3 earning the same title in the What Car? EV Awards 2025. Established in 1978, the What Car? Awards are among the automotive industry's most respected benchmarks for excellence and innovation.

The latest triumph for the smart #5 – the brand's first premium mid-size SUV – reflects its growing international recognition among experts and customers alike. Recent accolades include being named Norway's 2026 Car of the Year, earning the Euro NCAP "Best in Class" award as the Safest Large SUV of 2025, and securing runner-up in the Swiss Car of the Year 2026 awards. The model also holds two Red Dot Awards for Product Design.

Jason Allbutt, CEO of smart UK, received the What Car? Trophy

The new smart #5 is the brand’s most sophisticated model to date, with power of up to 475 kW and a range as great as 590 km (WLTP). Available in multiple variants worldwide, from entry level Pro to the high-performance BRABUS, the model’s efficient drive system and advanced 800-volt platform can allow charging from 10% to 80% (SoC) in less than 18 minutes under optimal conditions.

smart #5 features an efficient electric drive system, high quality interior and best-in-class Euro NCAP safety rating

Its spacious cabin, high quality interior and advanced standard features - including a 10.25-inch full HD digital instrument cluster and two 13-inch OLED center and passenger screens - combined with a generous 630-liter boot capacity and a best-in-class Euro NCAP safety rating, make it the ideal choice for everything from the school run to weekend fun.

The What Car? Awards are among the automotive industry's most prestigious accolades