smart #5 Dune Review UAE: My Three-Day EV Road Test

Introduction

smart entered the automotive world in 1998 with the compact fortwo, a distinctive two-seater designed for crowded cities. Its small footprint and unconventional style made the brand instantly recognisable. However, smart has since moved far beyond tiny urban cars.

In 2019, smart committed to an all-electric future before introducing the smart #1 and #3 premium electric SUVs. The smart #5 represents its biggest transformation yet, offering more space, performance and touring ability. The UAE-exclusive Dune takes this evolution towards outdoor travel with AWD, terrain modes and adventure equipment.

How I tested the smart #5 Dune in the UAE

I tested the smart #5 Dune for three days across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. My test included city roads, motorway driving, passengers, regular air-conditioning use and public AC and CCS2 fast charging. I did not test dune bashing or deep-desert driving.

Exterior Design, Practicality and Dune Equipment

The smart #5 Dune is a mid-size electric SUV with an upright, boxy profile and rounded edges. CyberSparks LED headlights give the front a distinctive identity. My Atom Grey Matte and Eclipse Black test car also featured concealed door handles, proximity locking and an NFC key card.

The Dune rides on 20-inch Helix alloy wheels and includes a Panoramic Halo Roof with an electric blind. Its 47-litre frunk complements a 630-litre rear boot, which expands to 1,530 litres. A 360-degree camera, 12 parking sensors and a powered tailgate improve daily usability.

Dune equipment includes roof rails, a roof rack, a side ladder and a side-mounted storage box. Sand, Mud, Snow and Rock modes adapt the AWD system for different surfaces. Camping Mode supports several sleeping layouts, while Vehicle-to-Load can power compatible equipment. An optional trailer hitch supports up to 1,600 kg.

Battery, Performance and Real-World Range

The 100 kWh battery powers a dual-motor AWD system producing 432 kW and 643 Nm. The Dune accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and reaches a claimed 200 km/h. It supports 22 kW AC charging and up to 400 kW DC charging.

Its official WLTP range is 540 km. During my hot-weather UAE test, I estimated a practical range of approximately 415 km from a full charge. Speed, passenger load, air-conditioning use and temperature can all affect the result.

Interior, Displays and Audio

Cabin space and seating comfort

The five-seat cabin feels spacious in both rows, with useful headroom and legroom for taller passengers. The Duo Leather front seats are electrically adjustable and heated. However, ventilated seats would have been more valuable in the UAE. I also missed having a small storage tray near the interior door handles.

Oak-style trim and 256-colour ambient lighting give the dashboard a modern appearance. The panoramic roof makes the cabin feel open. During my test, I kept its blind closed to reduce summer heat and unwanted streetlight glare at night.

Displays, connectivity and audio

Two responsive 13-inch OLED displays control the climate, mirrors, drive modes, ADAS, ambient lighting and cameras. A 10.25-inch driver display shows essential information, tyre pressures and detected traffic. Wireless Android Auto and phone charging worked well, while the nine-speaker audio system delivered clear sound.

The Dune does not receive the Premium and BRABUS models’ 20-speaker Sennheiser system. More importantly, the touchscreen stopped responding three times and required a restart. The 360-degree camera helped in daylight, but its low-light feed could have been brighter and clearer.

My Dubai to Abu Dhabi Charging Experience

Slow AC charging at Al Wahda Mall

During my Dubai–Abu Dhabi journey, I connected the Dune to a public AC charger at Al Wahda Mall. After one hour, the battery had gained approximately 10 percentage points. The screen showed an animated lion walking, while the estimated charging time exceeded 10 hours.

I could not wait that long because I planned to visit the BAPS Hindu Mandir, about 52 km away. I found no EV charging station there. When I left, the battery level was around 32%. With passengers on board and the air conditioning running, I was not confident about reaching Dubai.

Finding an ADNOC fast charger

I used the ADNOC Distribution app to search for a nearby CCS2 fast charger. The closest suitable station was approximately 25 km away and required a diversion. By the time I arrived, the battery had fallen to around 17%.

Another EV had just completed its session when I arrived. Its Emirati driver kindly helped me understand the charging process. Finding and reaching the station added roughly 25 minutes before charging even began. The detour highlighted the gap between the Dune’s charging capability and the available infrastructure.

Fast-charging time, cost and registration

Although I selected one-time charging, the process required separate EV registration. I made an error and locked my account. The same driver used his account for my first AED 50 session and refused repayment. That session raised the battery from approximately 15% to 45% in 25 to 30 minutes.

After fixing my app, I started a second AED 50 session and reached 83%. Total charging time was approximately 45 to 60 minutes. The app displayed AED 1.26 per kWh, excluding VAT. During fast charging, the animated lion ran instead of walking, indicating the higher charging speed.

Charging note: smart states that the Dune can charge from 10% to 80% in under 18 minutes using a suitable 400 kW charger. My session was slower because speed depends on the charger, battery temperature and state of charge.

What the charging journey taught me

After reaching 83%, I returned home to Dubai. The experience showed that charger location, availability and account setup still require planning during longer UAE journeys. Drivers should identify backup chargers and complete registrations before departure. Reliable home or workplace charging would remove much of this uncertainty.

Driving Experience, ADAS and Ride Comfort

Performance and summer climate control

The Dune’s immediate acceleration, smooth AWD delivery and confident cornering impressed me. Highway stability felt reassuring, while the two-zone climate control handled the summer heat adequately. I mainly used Eco and Comfort modes to conserve energy over longer distances.

S-Pedal and driver assistance

S-Pedal mode increases regenerative braking when the accelerator is released, reducing the need for the brake pedal in traffic. Drivers familiar with Tesla’s one-pedal behaviour should recognise the basic driving style.

Adaptive cruise control reduced speed as traffic ahead slowed. Lane-centring assistance helped maintain the Dune’s position, while Blind Spot Assist warned me about approaching vehicles. The steering wheel vibrated when the system needed my attention. I treated these features as support and remained in control.

Ride quality and everyday driving

The suspension felt firm over uneven surfaces, although it supported confident handling. The cameras and parking sensors made urban manoeuvres manageable despite the large body. Buyers prioritising comfort should test the same wheel specification on familiar UAE roads.

Cruise-control buttons sit on the steering wheel’s left side, while audio controls are on the right. The arrangement became familiar with use. However, the touchscreen freezes made me wish for physical temperature and fan controls.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Strong dual-motor AWD performance and confident motorway stability
• Spacious five-seat cabin with practical front and rear storage
• Useful Dune equipment, terrain modes and camping-oriented features
• Effective summer climate control and comprehensive driver assistance
• Support for 22 kW AC and up to 400 kW DC charging

Cons

• No ventilated front seats for the UAE specification
• Firm suspension over uneven or broken surfaces
• Touchscreen required three restarts and controls too many everyday functions
• Nine-speaker system instead of the premium Sennheiser setup
• Real-world summer range remained below the 540 km WLTP figure

Price, Buyer Advice and Verdict

Price and warranty in the UAE

The smart #5 Dune costs AED 209,900 in the UAE. Its vehicle warranty covers five years or 120,000 km, while the battery warranty covers eight years or 160,000 km. My test car paired an Atom Grey Matte and Eclipse Black exterior with a Lightyear Brown interior.

Who should buy the smart #5 Dune?

The Dune suits buyers combining city driving with occasional camping or outdoor trips. Its sleeping layouts, roof equipment, 630-litre boot and Vehicle-to-Load capability add useful flexibility. However, I did not test it for dune bashing or deep-desert driving.

Ownership makes the most sense with dependable home, workplace or community AC charging. Frequent public fast charging can reduce potential savings compared with petrol. Buyers should also confirm that designated EV bays include working chargers.

Verdict

The smart #5 Dune is spacious, quick and genuinely distinctive. Its outdoor equipment and AWD ability broaden its appeal, while my charging journey highlighted the planning still required for longer UAE travel. The firm ride and touchscreen freezes are its main weaknesses. For buyers with dependable charging, it remains a compelling electric SUV.

Please note, readers; My three-day testing included picking up the review car from the smart car showroom, regular usage in Dubai, driving to Abu Dhabi and back and returning the EV car to the showroom.

Estimated reading time: 19 minutes

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About the Author

Ranbir Sen

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Tech enthusiast, who writes about the latest update in technology news, and reviews of products and software.

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