Loading comparison
Cupra Raval vs Smart #1
At a glance
In this comparison, Cupra Raval leads on motorway range, charging speed and running costs, while the Smart #1 leads on value for money.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Cupra Raval if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.9p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
Choose the Smart #1 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Cupra Raval leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueSmart
Cupra
5.2
Smart
5.9
Motorway RangeCupra
Cupra
4.2
Smart
1.9
Family
Cupra
5.1
Smart
5.4
Too close to call
ChargingCupra
Cupra
6.3
Smart
2.9
Cost Per MileCupra
Cupra
7.7
Smart
1.9
City DrivingCupra
Cupra
8
Smart
6
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Cupra Raval
V1 37kWh
- £2,965 cheaper
- 128 litres more boot space
- 43 Wh/km more efficient
- 500 kg more towing capacity
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Cupra RavalV1 37kWh | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £26,995 (better) | £29,960 |
| Official range | 204 miles (better) | 193 miles |
| Boot space | 441 L (better) | 313 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 23 min (better) | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 9.5 sec | Not available |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Cupra Raval
Smart #1
Length
Cupra Raval4,046mm-224mm
Smart #14,270mm
Width
Cupra Raval1,784mm-38mm
Smart #11,822mm
Height
Cupra Raval1,514mm-122mm
Smart #11,636mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Cupra RavalV1 37kWh | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,046 mm | 4,270 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,784 mm (better) | 1,822 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,000 mm (better) | 2,025 mm |
| Height | 1,514 mm | 1,636 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.9 m (better) | 11 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 616 mm spare (better) | 578 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Cupra RavalV1 37kWh | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 441 L (better) | 313 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | Not available | 976 L |
| Frunk | Not available | 15 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 500 kg (better) | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Cupra Raval
- 3rd-largest boot among hatchback EVs in our catalogue at 441 L.
- Uses 138 Wh/km on the WLTP cycle, more efficient than 95% 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 Raval V1 37kWh |  Smart #1 Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.05m | 4.27m+224mm |
| Width | 1.78m | 1.82m+38mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.00m | 2.02m+25mm |
| Height | 1.51m | 1.64m+122mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.60m | 2.75m+151mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 441L (better) | 313L |
| Boot (seats down) | Not available | 976L |
| Frunk | Not available | 15L |
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.9m (better) | 11m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,589kg | Not available |
| Towing Capacity | 500kg (better) | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 38.5kWh | 49kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 204 mi (better) | 193 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 88kW | 130kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £26,995 (better) | £29,960 |
| Price after EV grant | £25,495 (-£1,500) | £29,960 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | SUV |
| Available | 2026+ | 2023+ |
* Cupra Raval: Not yet Euro NCAP tested as of 2026-05. Limited-production / halo / pre-launch / new-brand models are typically rated some time after general sale.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Cupra RavalV1 37kWh | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 204 miles (better) | 193 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 139 miles (better) | 133 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 23 min (better) | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 88 kW | 130 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW (better) | 7.4 kW |
| Energy consumption | 138 Wh/km (better) | 181 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 37 kWh | 49 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Cupra RavalV1 37kWh | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 9.5 sec | Not available |
| Power | 99 kW | 200 kW (better) |
| Torque | 264 Nm | Not available |
| Drivetrain | FWD | 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.
Cupra Raval
V1 37kWh
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Smart #1
Pure
7.5/10
average across 4 reviews
- Electrifying.com9/10
- Autocar3.5/5
- DrivingElectric3.5/5
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 - Cupra Raval V1 37kWh
Cupra Raval V1 37kWh
Not yet Euro NCAP tested as of 2026-05. Limited-production / halo / pre-launch / new-brand models are typically rated some time after general sale.
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 RavalV1 37kWh | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | Not available | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | Not available | 201,168 km |
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. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
Cupra Raval
V1 37kWh
Owners love
- Competitive range of 238 miles WLTP, ahead of key rivals like Alpine A290 and Mini JCW Electric
- Spacious interior with 441-litre boot capacity, offering more cargo space than larger competitors like Cupra Leon
- Engaging handling with responsive steering and 15-stage adaptive dampers that allow personalized tuning
Watch out for
- Real-world range approximately 150 miles with safety margin, significantly less than WLTP claims, limiting long-distance suitability
- Retractable door handles are unreliable and difficult to operate smoothly
- Voice command system frequently interrupts conversations and ambient sounds
Owner tips
- Test adaptive dampers across the 15 stages to find the ideal setting for your driving style and road conditions
- Budget for real-world range of 150 miles for trip planning rather than relying on WLTP figures
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 Raval
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Smart #1
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Cupra Raval
No active listings.
Smart #1
- £23,9992024Car360View
- £23,7712024Car360View
- £22,9002024EV ExpertsView
Frequently asked questions
Is the Smart #1 worth the extra £2,965 over the Cupra Raval?
The Smart #1 costs £2,965 more than the Cupra Raval. For that premium it adds 42 kW faster peak rapid charging and 101 kW more power. The Cupra Raval is not just cheaper - it also offers 128 litres more boot space and lower energy use, 138 versus 181 Wh/km. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Cupra Raval comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Cupra Raval or the Smart #1?
The Cupra Raval is £2,965 cheaper to buy. The Cupra Raval is cheaper to charge, roughly £152 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 Cupra Raval comes out roughly £3,205 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 Raval and Smart #1 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 139 miles for the Cupra Raval and 133 miles for the Smart #1 - 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 23-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Cupra Raval or the Smart #1?
The Cupra Raval is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 38 mm narrower than the Smart #1. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 616 mm of total clearance for the Cupra Raval and about 578 mm of total clearance for the Smart #1.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Cupra Raval or the Smart #1?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the Cupra Raval and 90% for the Smart #1. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use LFP-type cells, which are happy charged to 100% every day.
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 Raval 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 Raval and Smart #1 rank among EVs under £30,000Where the Cupra Raval and Smart #1 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Cupra Raval and Smart #1 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Cupra Raval and Smart #1 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Cupra Raval and Smart #1 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Cupra Raval and Smart #1 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 .