► I trade the Avenger for Jake’s yellow blob
► It’s a mixed bag
► Read month 4 here
This month I swapped keys with our Deputy News Editor Jakes Groves to try out his new Smart #1. At £35,950, with a lot of gear fitted as standard, it seems like good value, and has a big dose of character. Jake’s been making mixed noises about it since it arrived though, so I was curious to have a steer for myself.
And after a couple of hundred miles… yes, he’s right: it’s a mixed bag. It also sheds some fresh light on my Avenger.
It’s very gaudy outside, with a silhouette that suggests a complete lack of interest in dynamism, and headlights that look like the eyes of a newly discovered species of amphibian, but inside it makes more sense. It’s all curves, shiny white plastic and lots of space – such a departure from the gloomy Jeep cabin. This is the upside of that odd silhouette: a huge glasshouse brings better visibility.
Unlike my Jeep, the Smart features a head-up display. It’s clear and easy to read. Just below there’s a letterbox-style display that shows all the key info. The touchscreen is the cabin’s main attraction. I quickly grew attached to the built-in system, whereas in the Jeep I use Apple CarPlay.
The Smart is a story of two halves on the road. Where my front-wheel-drive Jeep can be pushed a little and handles like a go-kart, this rear-wheel-drive Smart handles like the softest Flump. And it’s made all the better by the pleasingly positive steering, direct acceleration and ample power. Roll is comparable to a raft on the high seas, though, so you’re best off not exploiting those nicely weighted controls too much.
There are some tech annoyances. Adjusting the door mirrors via the touchscreen takes time – and attention – and it’s at this point that the car tells me to focus on the road, and maybe take a break. It seems a tad unfair and makes me miss the simple controls of the Jeep.
On the motorway the Smart’s tech is less passive-aggressive and just plain aggressive. The adaptive cruise with lane keeping wants the car dead centre. Changing lanes always involves a light skirmish between my inputs and whatever the car feels is best.
But overall, the Smart feels refreshing and more polished than the Jeep. Even the charging cable feels better; on the Jeep it’s a generic item, in the Smart its handles match the design language and bright colouring of the car.
Both EVs could learn a lot from each other: if only the Jeep were a little more premium, and the Smart a little less intrusive.
Logbook: Jeep Avenger EV (month 5)
Price: £39,600 (£42,125 as tested)
Performance: 50.8kWh battery, e-motor, 154bhp, 9.6sec 0-62mph, 93mph
Range: 249 miles (official), 221 miles (tested)
Energy cost: 12.2p per mile
Miles this month: 1073
Total miles: 3242