Smart #3

FIRST DRIVE Has Smart righted the 1’s wrongs with the latest addition to its range?

- Alastair Crooks

THE launch of the Smart #1 was a landmark moment for the brand. The car introduced a new design language, a new naming system and new tech from parent company Geely. But after that model had a lukewarm reception, Smart is aiming to right a few of the #1's wrongs with this: the #3.

As well as Geely, Mercedes holds equal ownership of Smart. But it's the Chinese firm's Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) you'll find beneath the #3's swoopy body - the same platform that underpins the new Volvo EX30 and the Zeekr X.

At a glance, the #3 looks virtually identical to the #1, with similar light bars front and rear, a familiar grille, and recognisable rounded surfacing. The body is bespoke to the #3, however, and it's lower, wider and longer than the #1. The #3 is the same height as a Volkswagen ID.3, so the 'coupé-SUV' tagline could easily be swapped for 'fourdoor coupé', depending on your tastes. As a result, the model has no direct rivals; prices start from only £32,950 - or £1,000 more than the equivalent #1 across the range.

The design changes continue inside, with round air vents and minor tweaks to the centre console. The materials used are identical, too, which is a shame because, while it's a pleasant design, there are a lot of cheap-feeling plastics dotted around.

You might expect the #3's lower roof to reduce headroom but, in fact, the seat has been dropped to give a sportier driving position. Space in the rear isn't a problem for tall adults, because the panoramic roof (which is standard fit on all #3 trim levels) allows for a bit of extra headroom, while legroom is decent, too. Because the #3 is longer than the #1, there's actually more boot space here, with 370 litres compared with the #1's 323-litre maximum.