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BMW iX (2021-2025) vs Smart #5
Selected trimxDrive40 · 2021-25Change trim257 mi · 76.6 kWh · £69,905
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW iX stays competitive across the board, while the Smart #5 leads on value for money, family practicality and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
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
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Smart #5 wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueSmart
BMW
4.1
Smart
6.4
Motorway Range
BMW
3
Smart
2.7
Too close to call
FamilySmart
BMW
7.8
Smart
9
ChargingSmart
BMW
3.7
Smart
5
City DrivingSmart
BMW
0.9
Smart
3.2
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
Size Comparison
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BMW iX
Smart #5
Length
BMW iX4,965mm
Smart #54,695mm-270mm
Width
BMW iX1,970mm
Smart #51,920mm-50mm
Height
BMW iX1,695mm-10mm
Smart #51,705mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW iXxDrive40 | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,965 mm | 4,695 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,970 mm | 1,920 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 2,169 mm |
| Height | 1,695 mm | 1,705 mm |
| Turning circle | 12.8 m | Not available |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 430 mm spare | 480 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
BMW iX
- At 4,965 mm, longer than 90% of SUVs we track.
- Braked towing capacity of 2,500 kg, a stronger tow rating than 90% of SUVs we track.
- 3,000 mm wheelbase, longer than 90% of SUVs we track.
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 |  BMW iX xDrive40 |  Smart #5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.96m | 4.70m-270mm |
| Width | 1.97m | 1.92m-50mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.17m |
| Height | 1.70m | 1.71m+10mm |
| Wheelbase | 3.00m | 2.90m-100mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 190mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 500L | 630L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1750L (better) | 1530L |
| Frunk | Not available | 47L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 12.8m | Not available |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 2,200kg |
| Towing Capacity | 2,500kg (better) | 1,600kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 76.6kWh (better) | 76kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 257 mi | 288 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 150kW | 150kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £69,905 | £39,800 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2021–2025 | 2025+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW iXxDrive40 | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 257 miles | 288 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 214 miles (better) | 202 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 35 min | 30 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 150 kW | 150 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 185 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 71 kWh | 76 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| Battery architecture | Not available | 800V |
| Heat pump | Not available | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
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.
BMW iX
xDrive40
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 - BMW iX xDrive40
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant91%
Child Occupant87%
Vulnerable Road Users73%
Safety Assist81%
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.
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
BMW iX
xDrive40
Owners love
- Owners praise the comfort and refinement, especially with air suspension, and the roomy cabin.
- Long-term owners report few faults and little battery wear, with one reporting 3% after two and a half years.
- The xDrive50 is reported to meet or beat its official range in summer, and rapid charging is fast and dependable.
Watch out for
- The xDrive40's smaller battery is the main complaint: owners report about 170 to 230 miles in real use, less in winter.
- Several owners report insurers declining to renew iX policies or quoting much higher premiums.
- Owners report fast tyre wear on some cars, and the turning circle is large without rear-wheel steering.
Owner tips
- Choose an xDrive50 if you drive long distances: it has far more range than the xDrive40.
- Get insurance quotes, including from specialist brokers, before you buy.
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
BMW iX
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Smart #5
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BMW iX
- £31,6302021Car360View
- £26,3502022Anchor CarsView
Smart #5
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW iX worth the extra £30,105 over the Smart #5?
The BMW iX costs £30,105 more than the Smart #5. For that premium it adds a 2.3s quicker 0-62mph time. The Smart #5 is not just cheaper - it also offers 30 miles more WLTP range and 130 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Smart #5 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW iX or the Smart #5?
The Smart #5 is £30,105 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £200 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Smart #5 comes out roughly £30,105 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BMW iX and Smart #5 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 214 miles for the BMW iX and 202 miles for the Smart #5 - effectively matched, and both well below their WLTP figures because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 30-35 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW iX or the Smart #5?
The Smart #5 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 50 mm narrower than the BMW iX. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 480 mm of total clearance for the Smart #5 and about 430 mm of total clearance for the BMW iX.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW iX or the Smart #5?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the BMW iX 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 BMW iX'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 BMW iX 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 BMW iX and Smart #5 rank among the best family EVsWhere the BMW iX and Smart #5 rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the BMW iX and Smart #5 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW iX and Smart #5 rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW iX and Smart #5 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW iX and Smart #5 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .