Once small. Not anymore.

By Gary S. Vasilash

When it was first launched in October 1998 the smart Fortwo was small. 2,540 mm (yes, millimeters) long and with a 1,810-mm wheelbase. The name of the car explained the number of people who could fit.

But with time there has been significant inflation.

Speaking of the vehicles offered by the company that is a joint venture between Geely and Mercedes, that is.

(Mercedes designs what are now EV-only models from the marque; Geely does all of the development and engineering.)

And now this. . .

smart has introduced a new model, the #5, a mid-size SUV.

It is 4,705 mm long and has a 2,900-mm wheelbase.

Or nearly twice as long as the original smart.

That increased size is handy in one regard—if you plan to sleep in the #5.

According to smart, the seats can be folded so that there is the ability to create a “king-size, queen-size or single mode sleeping space.”

The #5, which has a range of 740 km (460 miles)—on the China Light Duty Vehicle Test Cycle—could be the ideal choice for Uber drivers who essentially live in their cars.

Given that with the exception of things that have undergone shrinkflation increased size seems to be desirable, perhaps a larger smart is a smart idea. (The necessity of another midsize SUV, however. . .)