Loading comparison
Cupra Born vs Smart #1
At a glance
In this comparison, Cupra Born leads on motorway range, family practicality and charging speed, while the Smart #1 counters with the lowest price.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Cupra Born 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 1.6p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Cupra Born wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
Value
Cupra
5.6
Smart
5.9
Too close to call
Motorway RangeCupra
Cupra
6.3
Smart
1.9
FamilyCupra
Cupra
8.1
Smart
5.4
ChargingCupra
Cupra
6.7
Smart
2.9
Cost Per MileCupra
Cupra
9.6
Smart
1.9
City DrivingCupra
Cupra
7.7
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.
| Measure | Cupra BornV1 58kWh | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £35,995 | £29,960 (better) |
| Official range | 301 miles (better) | 193 miles |
| Boot space | 385 L (better) | 313 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 8 sec | Not available |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Cupra Born
Smart #1
Length
Cupra Born4,324mm
Smart #14,270mm-54mm
Width
Cupra Born1,809mm-13mm
Smart #11,822mm
Height
Cupra Born1,540mm-96mm
Smart #11,636mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Cupra BornV1 58kWh | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,324 mm | 4,270 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,809 mm (better) | 1,822 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,070 mm | 2,025 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,540 mm | 1,636 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.2 m (better) | 11 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 591 mm spare (better) | 578 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Cupra BornV1 58kWh | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 385 L (better) | 313 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1267 L (better) | 976 L |
| Frunk | Not available | 15 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Cupra Born
- 301 mile WLTP range, longer than 95% of hatchback EVs we track.
- Peak DC charging of 105 kW, faster than 85% of hatchback EVs in our catalogue.
- At 4,324 mm, longer than 85% of hatchback EVs we track.
Smart #1
- At 4,270 mm, shorter than 90% of SUVs in our UK catalogue.
- One of 33 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Cupra Born V1 58kWh |  Smart #1 Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.32m | 4.27m-54mm |
| Width | 1.81m | 1.82m+13mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.07m | 2.02m-45mm |
| Height | 1.54m | 1.64m+96mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.77m | 2.75m-16mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 385L (better) | 313L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1267L (better) | 976L |
| Frunk | Not available | 15L |
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.2m (better) | 11m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,899kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 58kWh (better) | 49kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 301 mi (better) | 193 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 105kW | 130kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £35,995 | £29,960 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £34,495 (-£1,500) | £29,960 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | SUV |
| Available | 2026+ | 2023+ |
* Cupra Born: Heat pump: an option, not standard.
* Cupra Born: Manufacturer lists no trailer towing capacity.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Cupra BornV1 58kWh | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 301 miles (better) | 193 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 250 miles (better) | 133 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 105 kW | 130 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW (better) | 7.4 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 181 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 58 kWh (better) | 49 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Cupra BornV1 58kWh | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 8 sec | Not available |
| Power | 140 kW | 200 kW (better) |
| Torque | 310 Nm | Not available |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Cupra Born
V1 58kWh
Smart #1
Pure
7.5/10
average across 4 reviews
- Electrifying.com9/10
- Top Gear7/10
- DrivingElectric3.5/5
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Cupra Born
All 3 videos
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 | Cupra BornV1 58kWh | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £14,295 | £22,900 |
| Average used price | £14,295 | £23,771 |
| Saving vs RRP | £21,700 below new | £6,189 below new |
| Recent used-price trend | Broadly flat | Up 4.3% over ~6 months |
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.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Cupra Born V1 58kWh
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant89%
Child Occupant87%
Vulnerable Road Users76%
Safety Assist76%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Smart #1 Pure
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant96%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users71%
Safety Assist88%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Cupra BornV1 58kWh | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 201,168 km (better) |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Cupra Born
V1 58kWh
Owners love
- Owners rate the handling, rear-wheel-drive steering feel and comfortable, supportive seats
- Good real-world efficiency, with owners reporting around 4 miles per kWh and 220-320 miles depending on battery
- The 326PS VZ fixed the early cars' lack of punch, with much stronger mid-range acceleration
Watch out for
- Wide A-pillars create a large blind spot at junctions and roundabouts
- The brake pedal feels long and vague at low speed, and regeneration cannot be adjusted much
- The Born is heavy, so the VZ feels less quick than its power suggests and is expensive new
Owner tips
- Check whether a car has the optional heat pump if you do a lot of winter driving
- The 2022-2024 77 kWh car has four seats; later 79 kWh cars seat five
Smart #1
Pure
Owners love
- Owners describe a comfortable, quiet and planted drive, with a premium, well-built interior.
- Generous standard equipment for the money, including a glass roof, 360-degree cameras and, on Premium and BRABUS, a clear head-up display and Beats audio.
- The BRABUS is very fast, and even the single-motor car feels quick.
Watch out for
- Early cars often had sticky or faulty pop-out door handles, fixed under warranty.
- Some early cars developed a hum from the rear axle bearings or motor mounts, fixed with new parts under warranty.
- The Hello Smart app is widely criticised as unreliable, asking for repeated log-ins and showing wrong data.
Owner tips
- Check every door handle works properly on a test drive.
- Listen for humming from the rear at speed and ask whether bushes or bearings have been replaced.
Buying options
Get a quote
Cupra Born
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Smart #1
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Cupra Born
No active listings.
Smart #1
- £23,9992024Car360View
- £23,7712024Car360View
- £22,9002024EV ExpertsView
Frequently asked questions
Is the Cupra Born worth the extra £6,035 over the Smart #1?
The Cupra Born costs £6,035 more than the Smart #1. For that premium it adds 107 miles more WLTP range and 72 litres more boot space. The Smart #1 is not just cheaper - it also offers 25 kW faster peak rapid charging and 60 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Cupra Born comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Cupra Born or the Smart #1?
The Smart #1 is £6,035 cheaper to buy. The Cupra Born is cheaper to charge, roughly £128 a year versus £200 for the Smart #1, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Smart #1 comes out roughly £5,675 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Cupra Born and Smart #1 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 250 miles for the Cupra Born and 133 miles for the Smart #1 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Cupra Born goes roughly 117 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Cupra Born or the Smart #1?
The two are within 13 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 591 mm of total clearance for the Cupra Born and about 578 mm of total clearance for the Smart #1. The Cupra Born also turns in a 0.8 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Cupra Born or the Smart #1?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Cupra Born and 90% for the Smart #1. That gives the Smart #1 a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Smart #1's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the Cupra Born'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 Cupra Born comparisons
More Smart #1 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 Cupra Born and Smart #1 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Cupra Born and Smart #1 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Cupra Born and Smart #1 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Cupra Born and Smart #1 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Cupra Born and Smart #1 rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Cupra Born and Smart #1 rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
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.
GuideBuying a Used CUPRA Born (2022 on): Which Battery, the Battery Recall, Range & What to Check
A used CUPRA Born buyer’s guide: 58, 59, 77 or 79 kWh and e-Boost explained, the four-seat 77 kWh car, the 2026 battery recall, warranty left, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used Smart #1 (2023 on): Pro+, Premium or BRABUS & What to Pay
A used Smart #1 buyer’s guide: the 66 kWh Pro+, Premium and BRABUS and the later 49 kWh Pure and Pro, the seat belt recall, the short car warranty but 8-year battery cover, real-world range, what owners report and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .