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Audi Q4 e-tron (2021-2023) vs Smart #5
Selected trim35 e-tron · 2021-23Change trim221 mi · 55 kWh · £40,750
At a glance
In this comparison, Audi Q4 e-tron leads on motorway range, running costs and city driving, while the Smart #5 leads on value for money, family practicality and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Audi Q4 e-tron (2021-2023) if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2.1p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
Choose the Smart #5 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you have a family - it has the best combination of boot space, safety, and rear legroom
- you need the fastest charging of these options
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Audi Q4 e-tron leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueSmart
Audi
5.1
Smart
6.4
Motorway RangeAudi
Audi
3.7
Smart
2.7
FamilySmart
Audi
7.7
Smart
9
ChargingSmart
Audi
2
Smart
5
Cost Per MileAudi
Audi
4.8
Smart
1.6
City DrivingAudi
Audi
6
Smart
3.2
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Smart #5
Pro
- 67 miles more WLTP range
- 110 litres more boot space
- 50 kW faster rapid charging
- 125 kW more power
- 2.1s quicker 0-62 mph
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Audi Q4 e-tron35 e-tron | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £40,750 | £39,800 (better) |
| Official range | 221 miles | 288 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 520 L | 630 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 9 sec | 6.9 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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Audi Q4 e-tron
Smart #5
Length
Audi Q4 e-tron4,588mm-107mm
Smart #54,695mm
Width
Audi Q4 e-tron1,865mm-55mm
Smart #51,920mm
Height
Audi Q4 e-tron1,632mm-73mm
Smart #51,705mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Audi Q4 e-tron35 e-tron | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,588 mm | 4,695 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,865 mm (better) | 1,920 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,108 mm (better) | 2,169 mm |
| Height | 1,632 mm | 1,705 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.2 m | Not available |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 535 mm spare (better) | 480 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Audi Q4 e-tron35 e-tron | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 520 L | 630 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1490 L | 1530 L (better) |
| Frunk | Not available | 47 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 1,600 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Audi Q4 e-tron
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Smart #5
- Boot space of 630 L is bigger than 90% of SUVs we track.
- One of 33 of 233 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Audi Q4 e-tron 35 e-tron |  Smart #5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.59m | 4.70m+107mm |
| Width | 1.86m | 1.92m+55mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.11m | 2.17m+61mm |
| Height | 1.63m | 1.71m+73mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.76m | 2.90m+136mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 190mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 520L | 630L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1490L | 1530L (better) |
| Frunk | Not available | 47L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.2m | Not available |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 2,200kg |
| Towing Capacity | Not available | 1,600kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 55kWh | 76kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 221 mi | 288 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 100kW | 150kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £40,750 | £39,800 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2021–2023 | 2025+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Audi Q4 e-tron35 e-tron | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 221 miles | 288 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 184 miles | 202 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 100 kW | 150 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 7.2 kW | 11 kW (better) |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 185 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 52 kWh | 76 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 800V (better) |
| Heat pump | Not available | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Audi Q4 e-tron35 e-tron | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 9 sec | 6.9 sec (better) |
| Power | 125 kW | 250 kW (better) |
| Torque | Not available | 373 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
Audi Q4 e-tron
35 e-tron
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Smart #5
Pro
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Audi Q4 e-tron 35 e-tron
Tested 2021
Adult Occupant93%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users66%
Safety Assist80%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Smart #5 Pro
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant88%
Child Occupant93%
Vulnerable Road Users84%
Safety Assist92%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Audi Q4 e-tron35 e-tron | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | Not available |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag infotainment & software, real-world range. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
Audi Q4 e-tron
35 e-tron
Owners love
- Owners consistently praise the quiet, refined cabin and comfortable ride.
- The interior quality and conventional layout, including physical climate controls, are rated above the VW ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq it is based on.
- Rear passenger space and headroom are generous for the size of car.
Watch out for
- Real-world range falls well short of the WLTP figure, with owners of the 40 typically seeing 230-290 miles in mild weather and around 200 in freezing conditions.
- Efficiency is middling, around 3 miles per kWh on average and much less in cold city driving.
- The myAudi app and in-car software are widely described as limited or awkward, and some cars needed software updates.
Owner tips
- Judge battery health from a full-charge range over several days, not one cold-weather reading: the display is based on recent driving.
- Check whether the car has the optional heat pump if you do a lot of winter driving.
Smart #5
Pro
Owners love
- Exceptional interior space with comfortable rear legroom, reclining seats, and 630 litres of boot space
- Outstanding acceleration (3.8 seconds 0-62mph) and impressive 800V fast charging (10-80% in 18 minutes at optimal conditions)
- Advanced infotainment with three screens, superb conversational voice control, and premium materials (Alcantara, vegan leather)
Watch out for
- High energy consumption significantly impacts real-world range compared to competitors despite 335-mile WLTP rating
- Design is polarizing and divisive; frequently compared unfavorably to the Nissan Cube with questionable styling details
- 335-mile WLTP range underwhelming for a 100kWh battery and not class-leading compared to rivals
Owner tips
- Test drive the rear-wheel drive base models which offer better steering feel, more dynamic handling, and additional frunk space compared to all-wheel drive variants
- Visit dealerships in person to confirm driver's seat comfort if over 6 feet tall and test voice assistant behavior to ensure it suits your driving style
Buying options
Get a quote
Audi Q4 e-tron
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Smart #5
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Audi Q4 e-tron
- £19,0412023Car360View
- £18,3932023Car360View
Smart #5
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Audi Q4 e-tron or the Smart #5?
The Smart #5 is £950 cheaper to buy. The Audi Q4 e-tron is cheaper to charge, roughly £168 a year versus £200 for the Smart #5, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Smart #5 comes out roughly £790 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Audi Q4 e-tron and Smart #5 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 184 miles for the Audi Q4 e-tron and 202 miles for the Smart #5 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Smart #5 goes roughly 18 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Audi Q4 e-tron or the Smart #5?
The Audi Q4 e-tron is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 55 mm narrower than the Smart #5. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 535 mm of total clearance for the Audi Q4 e-tron and about 480 mm of total clearance for the Smart #5.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Audi Q4 e-tron or the Smart #5?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Audi Q4 e-tron and 90% for the Smart #5. That gives the Smart #5 a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Smart #5's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the Audi Q4 e-tron's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Audi Q4 e-tron comparisons
More Smart #5 comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Audi Q4 e-tron and Smart #5 rank among the best family EVsWhere the Audi Q4 e-tron and Smart #5 rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the Audi Q4 e-tron and Smart #5 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Audi Q4 e-tron and Smart #5 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Audi Q4 e-tron and Smart #5 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Audi Q4 e-tron and Smart #5 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
If neither is quite right
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Further reading
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Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .