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Expert Rating

Smart #3

(2024 – present)

Expert Rating

New car score:

76
%
A

This model is still new so we don't have a Used Car Expert Rating score yet. Check back soon.

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

61
%
D

Safety Rating:

91
%
A

Eco Rating:

100
%
A

Running Costs:

77
%
A

Warranty Rating:

82
%
A

How are our Expert Rating scores calculated?

Expert Rating

New car score:

76
%
A

This model is still new so we don't have a Used Car Expert Rating score yet. Check back soon.

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

61
%
D

Safety Rating:

91
%
A

Eco Rating:

100
%
A

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

77
%
A

Summary

The Smart #3 is an all-electric five-door crossover that arrived in the UK in Autumn 2024. It’s basically the sleeker sibling of the Smart #1 that was launched a year previously.

The #3 (pronounced “Hashtag Three”, not “Number Three”) is the second model in Smart’s resurrection after the #1. No, we don’t know what happened to the #2. The next model to be launched will be called the #5, so maybe Smart just doesn’t like even numbers.

There are four trim levels – Pro, Pro+, Premium and the top-spec Brabus model, which produces about 430hp from two electric motors and will hit 62mph from a standing start in less than four seconds.

Media reviews for the #3 have been mixed. John Redfern from Motoring Research says it’s “more convincing than the smaller #1”, while Darren Cassey at Carwow praises the “offers impressive interior space for a sleek SUV” and Jake Grovers at Parkers claims that the “interior quality really impresses”.

However, as with the #1, the touchscreen control unit has brought much criticism from critics. Honest John describes it as a “counter-intuitive infotainment system”, while Redfern agrees that the “multi-layered and confusing touchscreen media system lets the side down.”

Car summarises the #3 as “a perfectly-fine-if-not-amazing-in-any-area kind of car hampered by clunky tech”, while Sam Burnett at Top Gear concludes that “it’s all rather style led without being at all distinctive”.

As of August 2025, the Smart #3 holds a New Car Expert Rating of A with a score of 76%. It scores top marks for its excellent safety rating and zero tailpipe emissions, while running costs are also low and warranty coverage is good. However, media review scores have been poor, which stops the #3 from rivalling the very top-rated cars in the Expert Rating Index.

Smart #3 highlights

  • Plenty of on-board tech as standard
  • More spacious inside than #1
  • Strong performance, particularly top-spec Brabus
  • Cheaper than its key rivals

Smart #3 lowlights

  • Touchscreen system cops plenty of criticism
  • Small boot
  • Standard models are not that exciting to drive
  • Silly naming system

Key specifications

Body style: Medium coupé-SUV/crossover
Engines:
electric, battery-powered
Price:
From £32,950 on-road

Launched: Spring 2024
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Featured reviews

More reviews

Auto Express

Auto Trader

Car

Carbuyer

Driving Electric

Electrifying.com

Green Car Guide

Heycar

Honest John

Motoring Research

Parkers

The Sunday Times

The Telegraph

Top Gear

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2023
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 90%
Child protection: 86%
Vulnerable road users: 84%
Safety assist: 85%

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of August 2025, the Smart #3 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the #3 is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing whenever it ever takes place. Check back again soon.

Running cost rating

Clear Vehicle Data logo close crop

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Battery rangeAverageScoreVariationScore
EV models259 milesB
Electrical efficiencyAverageScoreVariationScore
EV models4.1 m/KWhC
Service and maintenanceCostScore
Year 1£303D
Year 2£623C
Year 3£988C
Year 4£1,251C
Year 5£1,568C
Overall£4,733C

The Smart #1 should be a fairly cheap car to own and run, according to exclusive data provided to The Car Expert by our technical partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Electrical efficiency (the EV equivalent of miles per gallon in a petrol or diesel car) is only average, but a decent-sized battery provides plenty of range for local driving.

Insurance premiums and initial servicing costs are also fairly middling, but servicing should improve relative to other cars after the first year.

Reliability rating

MotorEasy logo 600x167

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of August 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Smart #3 to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops. 

As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the #3, we’ll publish the results here.

Warranty rating

New car warranty information for the Smart #3

Overall ratingA82%
New car warranty duration3 years
New car warranty mileageUnlimited miles
Battery warranty duration8 years
Battery warranty mileage100,000 miles

Smart’s overall new car warranty is worse than average, and worse than rival brands in a similar price bracket as the #3.

The duration is only three years, which is pretty much the bare minimum offered in the UK, albeit with no limit on mileage.

In addition to the standard new car warranty, there is also an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery components.

Buying a used Smart #3

  • As of August 2025, any used Smart #3 should still be under its new car warranty, which trumps any used car warranty offering. The earliest models will still be under warranty until 2027.

If you’re looking to buy a used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.

Similar cars

If you’re looking at the Smart #3, you might also be interested in these alternatives

Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica | Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback | BMW iX2 | Citroën ë-C4 X | Cupra Tavascan | DS 3 E-Tense | Honda e:Ny1 | Jeep AvengerKia Niro EV | Kia EV3 | Mazda MX-30 | Mini AcemanPeugeot e-2008Renault Mégane E-Tech | Smart #1 | Vauxhall Mokka Electric | Volkswagen ID.3

More news, reviews and information about the Smart #3 at The Car Expert

Electric car grant – all the EVs with discounts

Electric car grant – all the EVs with discounts

Everything you need to know about Smart

Everything you need to know about Smart

Electric cars – what’s on sale and what’s coming in 2024?

Electric cars – what’s on sale and what’s coming in 2024?

Pricing confirmed for Smart #3 SUV

Pricing confirmed for Smart #3 SUV

New Smart #3 crossover to arrive early next year

New Smart #3 crossover to arrive early next year

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Subscriptions are becoming a very popular way for consumers to try an electric car for a few weeks or months to help decide whether it’s a suitable alternative to a petrol car. If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help. (PS: What’s a car subscription?)

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Reviews of the Smart #3 have been mixed. It's spacious, smooth and quiet, but the drive is uninspired and the touchscreen is heavily criticised.Smart #3