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BMW iX1 vs Smart #3
Selected trimProChange trim202 mi · 66 kWh · £33,960
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW iX1 leads on motorway range, family practicality and charging speed, while the Smart #3 leads on city driving.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW iX1 if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.7p per mile on off-peak electricity
Choose the Smart #3 if...
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BMW iX1 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
Value
BMW
6.4
Smart
6.1
Too close to call
Motorway RangeBMW
BMW
5.9
Smart
2.8
FamilyBMW
BMW
7.4
Smart
5.7
ChargingBMW
BMW
4.1
Smart
1.7
Cost Per MileBMW
BMW
9.3
Smart
2.7
City DrivingSmart
BMW
4.6
Smart
6
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 iX1
Smart #3
Length
BMW iX14,500mm
Smart #34,400mm-100mm
Width
BMW iX11,845mm
Smart #31,844mm-1mm
Height
BMW iX11,616mm
Smart #31,556mm-60mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Smart #3Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,500 mm | 4,400 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,845 mm | 1,844 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,104 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,616 mm | 1,556 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.9 m | Not available |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 555 mm spare | 556 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW iX1 eDrive20 Sport |  Smart #3 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.50m | 4.40m-100mm |
| Width | 1.84m | 1.84m-1mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.10m | Not available |
| Height | 1.62m | 1.56m-60mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.69m | 2.79m+93mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 490L (better) | 370L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1495L (better) | 1160L |
| Frunk | Not available | 15L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.9m | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 64.7kWh | 66kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 320 mi (better) | 202 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 130kW | 150kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £37,065 | £33,960 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £33,315 (-£3,750) | £33,960 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | Coupe |
| Available | 2023+ | 2024+ |
* BMW iX1: 11 kW AC is standard; 22 kW AC was an option.
* BMW iX1: Rating from the BMW X1 (2022), which covers the iX1. An extra pole test on the iX1 showed weak chest protection, without changing the stars.
* BMW iX1: Current figure, after a March 2026 efficiency update. Earlier cars: xDrive30 259-270 miles WLTP, eDrive20 268-296 miles WLTP.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Smart #3Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 320 miles (better) | 202 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 267 miles (better) | 189 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 29 min (better) | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 130 kW | 150 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW (better) | 7.4 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 172 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 64.7 kWh | 66 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Standard | Not available |
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 iX1
eDrive20 Sport
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Smart #3
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
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Smart #3Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £23,250 | £27,300 |
| Average used price | £25,220 | £27,300 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 44 listings (better) | 3 listings |
| Saving vs RRP | £11,845 below new | £6,660 below new |
| Recent used-price trend | Down 13.8% over ~6 months | Broadly flat |
Used prices are indicative figures gathered from independent UK dealer listings and change frequently.
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.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - BMW iX1 eDrive20 Sport
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant86%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users76%
Safety Assist92%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Smart #3 Pro
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.
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.
BMW iX1
eDrive20 Sport
Owners love
- Owners rate the cabin quality, design and technology highly, and find the BMW app reliable
- Agile and enjoyable to drive for its size, with good visibility from the raised seating position
- Real-world range of around 220-260 miles in mild weather is commonly reported with sensible driving
Watch out for
- Winter and fast motorway driving cut range noticeably, with some owners seeing under 200 miles
- Many features were in paid option packs, so two cars of the same trim can be very differently equipped
- Some owners find the ride firm and road noise intrusive, and the seats less comfortable than rivals
Owner tips
- The front-wheel-drive eDrive20 goes further on a charge; the xDrive30 is quicker but rarely needed
- Check which option packs a car has, especially Technology Plus for adaptive cruise
Smart #3
Pro
Owners love
- Smart Pilot Assist lane-centering and adaptive cruise control significantly reduce driver fatigue on motorway journeys
- Quiet, refined driving experience with comfortable ride quality and Mercedes-quality interior materials
- Excellent value proposition with competitive pricing, extensive standard features, and strong performance in Brabus mode
Watch out for
- Infotainment system poorly designed with busy interface and excessive menu navigation required
- Quality control issues reported on delivery including scratches, sand in door handles, and defective components
- Range falls significantly short of claimed figures, especially when using Brabus performance mode
Owner tips
- Request detailed pre-delivery inspection to catch transport damage; arrange home charger and Charge Place Scotland card before taking delivery
- Budget for extended warranty coverage to match 4-year PCP payment terms and mitigate servicing uncertainties
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW iX1
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Smart #3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BMW iX1
- £23,7132023Car360View
- £25,4492023Browns of RichmondView
- £23,2502023Browns of RichmondView
Smart #3
- £27,3002025EV ExpertsView
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW iX1 worth the extra £3,105 over the Smart #3?
The BMW iX1 costs £3,105 more than the Smart #3. For that premium it adds 118 miles more WLTP range and 120 litres more boot space. The Smart #3 is not just cheaper - it also offers 50 kW more power and a 2.8s quicker 0-62mph time. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the BMW iX1 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW iX1 or the Smart #3?
The Smart #3 is £3,105 cheaper to buy. The BMW iX1 is cheaper to charge, roughly £136 a year versus £192 for the Smart #3, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Smart #3 comes out roughly £2,825 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 iX1 and Smart #3 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 267 miles for the BMW iX1 and 189 miles for the Smart #3 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The BMW iX1 goes roughly 78 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 29-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW iX1 or the Smart #3?
The two are within 1 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 556 mm of total clearance for the Smart #3 and about 555 mm of total clearance for the BMW iX1.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW iX1 or the Smart #3?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the BMW iX1 and 84% for the Smart #3. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. 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 iX1 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 iX1 and Smart #3 rank among the best family EVsWhere the BMW iX1 and Smart #3 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BMW iX1 and Smart #3 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW iX1 and Smart #3 rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW iX1 and Smart #3 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW iX1 and Smart #3 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
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 .