
As soon as upon a time, Good was a model that specialised in small metropolis vehicles, however fashionable laws and market forces have coaxed the corporate right into a change of tack.
Not solely are the present Smart #1 and Smart #3 compact electrical SUVs way more family-sized than lots of the merchandise Good has beforehand constructed, however the brand new 2025 Smart #5 actually is a giant electrical SUV.
Though it appears smaller than most, it’s a lot the identical measurement because the Volkswagen ID.4, and it’s each bit as spacious inside, so it’s very completely different from the vehicles Good was beforehand identified for.
The query is whether or not the new-look model can seize patrons’ imaginations in the identical means, and whether or not the #5 is able to mixing it with the extra established merchandise it needs to problem.
To search out out, we headed to Portugal for the worldwide launch of the #5, the place we examined a European-specification automotive in top-of-the-range, high-performance Brabus form.
Sportier styling and better energy output apart, it’s little completely different from different variants within the vary, and gave us a superb alternative to check out all of the #5 has to supply in each scenario, from nation roads and concrete streets to gravel tracks and highways, earlier than the mannequin’s Australian launch.
How a lot does the Good #5 price?
Good is but to verify pricing for the #5 in Australia, however we’re anticipating the mid-size electrical SUV to start out someplace across the $70,000 mark, or simply above the smaller #3.
We’re additionally anticipating a fairly beneficiant customary specification, with 19-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic roof and parking sensors on the entrance and rear all anticipated to characteristic.
That’s all going to sit down alongside a large 13-inch infotainment touchscreen, a digital instrument cluster and dual-zone local weather management, in addition to wi-fi cellphone charging, artificial leather-based upholstery and over-the-air software program updates.
What’s the Good #5 like on the within?
Good’s new look is fashionable and clear, and that’s as true of the #5’s inside as it’s of the outside styling.
So, you’ll discover neat, rounded shapes and a comparatively button-free dashboard, with a easy three-spoke steering wheel and a lot of the controls residing on the touchscreen.
And it’s a sizeable touchscreen, measuring 13 inches diagonally, full with the newest software program and a fast processor, in addition to Good’s latest-generation voice assistant, which takes the type of a lion avatar that prowls the menus.
In fact, a few of that stuff is a bit gimmicky, regardless of the cleverness of the know-how, and the lion factor is slightly distracting if we’re sincere.
Nevertheless it isn’t as distracting because the passenger show that’s fitted to a number of the extra upmarket grades as customary in Europe, together with the range-topping Brabus vehicles.
Whereas some manufacturers put a form of polarising movie on their passenger shows, stopping the motive force from seeing what’s there, there’s no such safety on the Good’s system, leaving the motive force with each probability of rubbernecking at no matter movie or recreation the passenger is enjoying.
It’s a pleasant concept, then, but it surely feels as if it wants slightly refinement.
In equity, although, Good says the know-how isn’t completely full and might be up to date forward of the automotive’s market introduction later this yr.
And whereas we will discover faults with the 2 essential touchscreens, the responses are sharp, and even the touchscreen local weather management system isn’t too troublesome to regulate. On high of all that, we’ve nothing however reward for the head-up show and the digital instrument cluster.
We’re impressed with the cabin high quality, too, which is each bit nearly as good as we’ve seen within the #1 and #3 fashions.
Many of the supplies, with solely a few exceptions, are remarkably good, together with the seat upholstery and a lot of the plastics. Mixed with the airiness supplied by the glass roof, it makes the #5’s cabin really feel decidedly upmarket.
However the overwhelming sense is certainly one of area. The room contained in the #5 is staggeringly good, with enormous quantities of rear legroom and headroom, in addition to loads of area for these within the entrance.
It’s solely a five-seater, which could disappoint some, however these 5 individuals could have loads of room. Even the center seat within the second row within reason snug.
Baggage capability is fairly good, too, with a 630-litre boot in all variations of the #5. Meaning it’s significantly extra spacious than the boot in a VW ID.4, and that area is joined by a ‘frunk’ underneath the bonnet.
Precisely how huge that frunk is will rely on which model you select – the all-wheel drive vehicles get much less area than the rear-wheel drive vehicles, however Good reckons the usual rear-drive variant’s frunk is sufficiently big for the form of carry-on suitcase you see airline passengers utilizing each day.
We suspect it’ll most likely be used for cable storage by most, but it surely’ll supply helpful carrying capability nonetheless.
What’s underneath the bonnet?
Full specs haven’t but been confirmed for the Australian market, however in Europe the #5 might be provided with a alternative of two completely different batteries.
Specs | Good #5 Brabus |
---|---|
Drivetrain | Twin-motor electrical |
Battery | 100kWh li-ion NMC |
Energy | 475kW |
Torque | 710Nm |
Pushed wheels | AWD |
0-100km/h | 3.8 seconds |
Power consumption (as examined) | 24.0kWh/100km |
Claimed vary (WLTP) | 539km |
Max DC cost fee | 400kW |
There’s a base grade with a 74kWh unit that will or could not come to Australia, however we’re fairly assured the variants with the bigger 100kWh battery will arrive on these shores.
They’re provided with a alternative of both single-motor rear-wheel drive, or twin-motor all-wheel drive powertrains, every with various energy outputs. The top of the lineup is the Brabus, with a beneficiant 475kW from its two motors, however there might be a alternative of much less highly effective choices, too.
In Europe, for instance, the essential RWD model delivers 250kW, whereas there are additionally 267kW single-motor and 432kW dual-motor choices beneath the Brabus. By way of effectivity, the single-motor fashions supply the most effective vary, with even the smallest battery offering greater than 400km of vary based on the WLTP financial system take a look at.
And the dual-motor programs permit the entrance motor to be indifferent from the powertrain when it isn’t wanted, decreasing mechanical drag and thereby making it as environment friendly as potential. Even the Brabus will do greater than 500km on a cost, with the 100kWh rear-motor choice managing 589km between journeys to the plug.
How does the Good #5 drive?
Though it’s huge and heavy – the Brabus model weighs roughly the identical as a Bentley Flying Spur V8– the #5 is a remarkably snug factor.
Good has clearly designed the #5 with journey consolation in thoughts, and it absorbs bumps with shocking ease, even on huge 21-inch alloy wheels.
Admittedly, such massive rims and such a cumbersome kerb weight imply the odd sharper imperfection within the floor will make itself identified, but it surely’s typically excellent certainly.
And whereas that form of consolation would trigger some vehicles to really feel a bit delicate and imprecise within the corners, the Good handles fairly nicely.
The steering’s weight is nice, and despite the fact that it feels slightly synthetic, it’s straightforward to place the #5 precisely the place you need it. And that’s helpful when the automotive feels each bit as huge as its dimensions recommend if you’re on the highway.
Sadly, there’s a little bit of lean within the corners, which in a mid-range mannequin can be forgivable given the consolation credentials, however feels slightly disappointing within the Brabus.
We’re instructed the suspension settings are an identical to different all-wheel drive #5 variants although, so it appears promising for the extra widespread mid-range grades.
Clearly, these variations won’t be as quick because the Brabus, which has a frankly obscene quantity of energy for one thing of this measurement.
Sure, the automotive is heavy, however 475kW is pointless in one thing like this. Fortunately, the AWD powertrain is nearly able to coping with that form of energy, and it allows stomach-churning standing-start acceleration that sees the automotive hit 100km/h in simply 3.8 seconds.
No one must go that rapidly, however even the bottom mannequin, with 250kW and simply the one electrical motor, nonetheless will get to 100km/h in lower than seven seconds. With the moment response of an electrical powertrain, the automotive might be greater than punchy sufficient irrespective of which model you select.
It’ll be quiet, too, with acoustically insulated glass that’s strikingly thick if you see its cross-section, that means restricted noise from the tyres or the wind. Whereas it might not be fairly as refined as some Mercedes-Benz luxurious merchandise, it’s positively quiet sufficient to dwell as much as its semi-premium billing.
What do you get?
Good Australia is but to verify which variations of the #5 will come Down Below, however we all know the Europe-bound vehicles get a beneficiant specification and a variety of various trim ranges.
2025 Good #5 gear highlights:
- 13-inch touchscreen
- 10.25-inch digital instrumentation
- Panoramic glass roof
- Driving modes
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Twin-zone air con
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
For Australia, we’re anticipating a barely thinned-out lineup, maybe with three or 4 completely different variations.
Is the Good #5 secure?
The brand new #5 is but to be crash examined both in Australia or in Europe, however Good’s document to date is nice.
Each the #1 and #3 obtained five-star scores after they had been put by means of their paces by ANCAP, and Good has kitted the brand new automotive out with loads of customary security gear.
Higher nonetheless, the corporate has included a system that permits drivers to decide on their preferences for the motive force help know-how, which might be one thing of an irritant in sure conditions.
With Good’s touchscreen, nonetheless, these preferences might be saved, permitting quicker entry to drivers’ most well-liked settings.
Security gear contains:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Lane-keeping help
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
- Automated and distant parking
- Adaptive cruise management
How a lot does the Good #5 price to run?
Each Good at the moment offered in Australia comes with a five-year, 150,000km guarantee, and we’re anticipating the #5 to be no exception.
As with all electrical automobile, low working prices are one of many #5’s huge promoting factors, and there’s little question it’ll be significantly cheaper to function than a equally highly effective petrol automotive.
However alongside different EVs, it gained’t show fairly so low-cost. The battery is way bigger than that of, say, an ID.4, so it’ll be dearer to cost, and it gained’t go any additional on a cost.
The distinction gained’t be enormous, however different electrical SUVs will – at the very least in idea – be barely cheaper to run.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Good #5
The #5 might not be something like Smarts of previous, however that’s no dangerous factor.
A reliable, likeable and comfy electrical SUV, it’s a worthy rival to the likes of the Volkswagen ID.4 and Nissan Ariya, and it’s only some ergonomic shortcomings away from beating them.
Maybe it isn’t probably the most environment friendly factor on the highway, however its fast-charging capabilities and its nice highway manners greater than make up for that.
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