Smart, the brand jointly owned by Mercedes-Benz and Geely, has opened pre-sales for its first plug-in hybrid model in China, the Smart #5 EHD SUV. The vehicle was unveiled at an event on Tuesday with a pre-sale price of RMB 189,900 ($26,670), below the RMB 239,900 starting price of the all-electric Smart #5.
The new model marks Smart’s entry into the plug-in hybrid segment, with an official market launch expected in October. Built on Geely’s Leishen Hybrid 2.0 platform, the five-seat SUV is powered by a 1.5-liter engine producing 120 kW alongside an electric motor delivering 200 kW. A 41.46-kWh battery provides up to 252 kilometers of CLTC range, while the combined range with a full fuel tank reaches 1,615 kilometers.
Measuring 4,705 mm in length, 1,920 mm in width, and 1,705 mm in height with a wheelbase of 2,900 mm, the Smart #5 EHD is positioned as a compact SUV. It is equipped with the company’s Pilot Assist system, featuring dual Nvidia Drive Orin X chips and LiDAR, enabling functions such as navigation-based pilot assistance and memory parking without requiring high-definition maps.
The Smart brand, created in 1998 by Mercedes-Benz for compact urban mobility, has been co-managed with Geely since 2020 under a joint venture headquartered in Ningbo, Zhejiang. Under the partnership, Mercedes-Benz oversees design while Geely is responsible for engineering and manufacturing.
Alongside the Smart #5, the brand sells the Smart #1 and Smart #3 in China and has announced plans to introduce the two-seat Smart #2 mini EV by 2026. The #2 will serve as the successor to the ForTwo model and will be launched in China, Europe, and other global markets.
