Smart #5 Plug-in Hybrid Could Come to Europe, Rivaling GLC PHEV

https://www.32cars.ru/en/posts/id29119-smart-5-plug-in-hybrid-could-come-to-europe-rivaling-glc-phev

Smart #5 PHEV May Launch in Europe to Boost Sales

Smart #5 Plug-in Hybrid Could Come to Europe, Rivaling GLC PHEV

Mercedes considers bringing smart #5 PHEV to Europe with up to 1,300 km range. Could become a strong hybrid option against EVs and rivals.

2026-05-11T15:04:44+03:00

Mercedes may give the smart brand a plug-in hybrid option—something it’s not yet willing to do for its own compact lineup. In Europe, the smart #5 is currently available solely as an electric vehicle. But in China, the crossover also gets a PHEV variant with much more attractive specs.According to 32CARS, Stuttgart is considering bringing that version to Europe. The reasoning is clear: the smart #5 is the brand’s largest and arguably most promising model, but an all-electric version alone might struggle. That’s especially true given buyers who still fret about charging infrastructure, winter range, and highway consumption.The Chinese-market smart #5 PHEV employs the EHD system, which pairs a 163-hp gasoline engine with an electric motor and an LFP battery. In China, it’s claimed to offer around 200 km of electric-only range and up to 1,600 km of total range without refueling. Under European testing, that total would likely fall to about 1,300 km, but even that represents a strong argument against conventional EVs.For Mercedes, there’s a subtle issue. This smart could encroach on the GLC PHEV and the new GLB, but the company apparently sees the audiences as distinct. Mercedes buyers pay for the star on the hood, premium materials, and status. The smart #5 takes a different approach: more technology, a Chinese Geely platform, practicality, and a potentially lower price.Timing also plays a role. Stuttgart will first monitor how the new GLB sells before making a final decision.If the smart #5 PHEV does reach Europe, it could become more than an image play for the brand—it might deliver real volume. The electric version hasn’t convinced everyone, and a hybrid with up to 1,300 km of range sounds much closer to what families expect from a crossover in 2026.

smart #5, plug-in hybrid, PHEV, Mercedes, Europe, electric range, crossover, hybrid SUV

2026

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