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Hyundai IONIQ 5 N vs Smart #5
Selected trimStandard278 mi · 84 kWh · £65,800
At a glance
In this comparison, Hyundai IONIQ 5 N leads on motorway range and charging speed, while the Smart #5 leads on value for money, family practicality and city driving.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the fastest charging of these options
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 best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Smart #5 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueSmart
Hyundai
4.8
Smart
6.4
Motorway RangeHyundai
Hyundai
3.6
Smart
2.7
FamilySmart
Hyundai
7.4
Smart
9
ChargingHyundai
Hyundai
7.4
Smart
5
City DrivingSmart
Hyundai
2.1
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.
| Measure | Hyundai IONIQ 5 NBase | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £65,800 | £39,800 (better) |
| Official range | 278 miles | 288 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 480 L | 630 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 27 min (better) | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 3.4 sec (better) | 6.9 sec |
Size Comparison
View:
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Hyundai IONIQ 5 N
Smart #5
Length
Hyundai IONIQ 5 N4,715mm
Smart #54,695mm-20mm
Width
Hyundai IONIQ 5 N1,940mm
Smart #51,920mm-20mm
Height
Hyundai IONIQ 5 N1,585mm-120mm
Smart #51,705mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Hyundai IONIQ 5 NBase | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,715 mm | 4,695 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,940 mm | 1,920 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,170 mm | 2,169 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,585 mm | 1,705 mm |
| Turning circle | 12 m | Not available |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 460 mm spare | 480 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Hyundai IONIQ 5 NBase | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 480 L | 630 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1587 L (better) | 1530 L |
| Frunk | 57 L (better) | 47 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 1,600 kg | 1,600 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Hyundai IONIQ 5 N
- Peak DC charging of 240 kW, faster than 80% of SUVs in our catalogue.
- 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 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Hyundai IONIQ 5 N Base |  Smart #5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.71m | 4.70m-20mm |
| Width | 1.94m | 1.92m-20mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.17m | 2.17m-1mm |
| Height | 1.58m | 1.71m+120mm |
| Wheelbase | 3.00m | 2.90m-100mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 190mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 480L | 630L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1587L (better) | 1530L |
| Frunk | 57L (better) | 47L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 12m | Not available |
| Kerb Weight | 2,234kg | 2,200kg (better) |
| Towing Capacity | 1,600kg | 1,600kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 84kWh (better) | 76kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 278 mi | 288 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 240kW (better) | 150kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £65,800 | £39,800 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2024+ | 2025+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Hyundai IONIQ 5 NBase | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 278 miles | 288 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 232 miles (better) | 202 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 27 min (better) | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 240 kW (better) | 150 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 185 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 84 kWh (better) | 76 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NCMA | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 800V | 800V |
| Heat pump | Not available | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Hyundai IONIQ 5 NBase | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 3.4 sec (better) | 6.9 sec |
| Power | 478 kW (better) | 250 kW |
| Torque | 770 Nm (better) | 373 Nm |
| Drivetrain | AWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Hyundai IONIQ 5 N
Base
Smart #5
Pro
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Hyundai IONIQ 5 N
All 3 videos
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 - Hyundai IONIQ 5 N Base
Tested 2021
Adult Occupant88%
Child Occupant86%
Vulnerable Road Users63%
Safety Assist88%
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 | Hyundai IONIQ 5 NBase | 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 real-world range. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
Hyundai IONIQ 5 N
Base
Owners love
- Owners and enthusiasts call it the most engaging electric car to drive, with sharp steering and handling that hides its weight.
- The simulated gearshifts (N e-shift) and engine sounds are widely praised as fun rather than a gimmick.
- Fast 800-volt charging makes a 10-80% stop about 18 minutes, which owners say matters more than range.
Watch out for
- Efficiency is poor: owners report 2.2 to 2.7 miles per kWh, or about 190 miles in winter and 220 to 235 in summer.
- Tyres wear fast when the performance is used; one owner's first set lasted about 12,000 miles at around 250 pounds a corner.
- It is big and heavy for a performance car, with a wide turning circle.
Owner tips
- Budget for tyres and brakes, and ask how the car has been driven.
- Use the satnav to precondition the battery before a rapid charger.
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
Hyundai IONIQ 5 N
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Smart #5
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N worth the extra £26,000 over the Smart #5?
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N costs £26,000 more than the Smart #5. For that premium it adds 90 kW faster peak rapid charging, 228 kW more power and a 3.5s quicker 0-62mph time. The Smart #5 is not just cheaper - it also offers 150 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 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N or the Smart #5?
The Smart #5 is £26,000 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 £26,040 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N and Smart #5 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 232 miles for the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N and 202 miles for the Smart #5 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N goes roughly 30 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 27-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N or the Smart #5?
The two are within 20 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 480 mm of total clearance for the Smart #5 and about 460 mm of total clearance for the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N or the Smart #5?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 89% battery health for the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N and 90% for the Smart #5. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. The Smart #5's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N'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 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N 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 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N and Smart #5 rank among the best family EVsWhere the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N and Smart #5 rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N and Smart #5 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N and Smart #5 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N and Smart #5 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N and Smart #5 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
If neither is quite right
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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 .