Smart Delays Launch of Tesla Model Y Rival in Australia

Smart’s Australian rollout is slowing slightly before it speeds up again. The brand’s most ambitious electric SUV yet, the Smart #5, has been pushed back by around a year, leaving local buyers with just two models to choose from for a little longer.

Originally tipped to arrive before the end of this year, the Tesla Model Y sized Smart #5 is now expected to land in Australia in the second half of 2026, as global demand takes priority in markets where the vehicle has already launched.

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Smart #5 delayed as global demand bites

Smart’s local distributor, LSH Auto, has confirmed the delay is down to production pressures rather than any change in strategy for Australia.

According to the company, manufacturing capacity is currently being directed toward regions where the #5 has already gone on sale, pushing Australia further down the queue. No additional product launches have been confirmed for 2026, although Smart is clearly expanding fast elsewhere, having just revealed its first sedan, the mid-size Smart #6.

For now, Australian buyers will continue to choose between the compact Smart #1 and coupe-styled Smart #3, both of which returned the brand to local showrooms in late 2024 after almost a decade away.

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Bigger, bolder and more ambitious than previous Smarts

The Smart #5 marks a significant step up for the brand. Measuring 4705mm long, it is the largest vehicle Smart has ever produced, sitting slightly longer than a Toyota RAV4 while remaining shorter than the Tesla Model Y.

Its boxy design prioritises space and practicality, with Smart claiming class-leading rear passenger room and a maximum boot capacity of 1530 litres. Under the skin, the #5 shares technology with other Geely group models, but with a more premium positioning aligned to Smart’s Mercedes-Benz influenced design language.

Since its debut, Smart has also broadened the #5 lineup significantly, confirming a high-performance Brabus version with 475kW from a dual-motor all-wheel drive system. In a notable shift from earlier plans, the brand has also confirmed a plug-in hybrid version is coming, moving away from its once electric-only stance.

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Battery options, charging and range

In overseas markets such as the UK, the Smart #5 is offered with two battery options and multiple drivetrains, giving buyers flexibility depending on budget and usage.

Key highlights include:

• Choice of lithium iron phosphate and nickel manganese cobalt batteries
• Rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations
• Ultra-fast DC charging on higher-spec models

Whether Australia will receive the full lineup at launch remains unclear, but the available global specifications give a strong indication of what to expect.

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Smart #5 key specifications (global models)

What it means for Smart in Australia?

Smart is co-owned by Mercedes-Benz and Geely and is distributed locally by LSH Auto, Australia’s largest Mercedes-Benz retail group. Vehicles are currently sold through dealerships in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, with further locations planned.

While Smart does not publish monthly sales figures, the company confirmed it delivered more than 500 vehicles locally between October 2024 and May 2025, a solid start for a reborn brand in a crowded EV market.

The delay of the #5 is a disappointment for buyers waiting for a more practical Smart, but it also sets the stage for a stronger launch in 2026. With more range, faster charging and a broader spread of variants than any Smart before it, the #5 could become the model that finally pushes the brand into the heart of Australia’s mid-size electric SUV segment.