Loading comparison
Hyundai KONA Electric (2018-2023) vs Smart #1
Selected trim39kWh · 2018-20Change trim190 mi · 39.2 kWh · £29,495
At a glance
In this comparison, Hyundai KONA Electric leads on motorway range, running costs and city driving, while the Smart #1 stays competitive across the board.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Hyundai KONA Electric (2018-2023) if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.8p 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 Hyundai KONA Electric leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
Value
Hyundai
5.6
Smart
5.9
Too close to call
Motorway RangeHyundai
Hyundai
3.2
Smart
1.9
Family
Hyundai
5.3
Smart
5.4
Too close to call
Cost Per MileHyundai
Hyundai
9
Smart
1.9
City DrivingHyundai
Hyundai
8.1
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 | Hyundai KONA Electric39kWh | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £29,495 (better) | £29,960 |
| Official range | 190 miles | 193 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 332 L (better) | 313 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 48 min | 30 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 9.9 sec | Not available |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Hyundai KONA Electric
Smart #1
Length
Hyundai KONA Electric4,205mm-65mm
Smart #14,270mm
Width
Hyundai KONA Electric1,800mm-22mm
Smart #11,822mm
Height
Hyundai KONA Electric1,570mm-66mm
Smart #11,636mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Hyundai KONA Electric39kWh | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,205 mm | 4,270 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,800 mm (better) | 1,822 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,070 mm | 2,025 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,636 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.4 m (better) | 11 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 600 mm spare (better) | 578 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Hyundai KONA Electric39kWh | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 332 L (better) | 313 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1114 L (better) | 976 L |
| Frunk | Not available | 15 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Hyundai KONA Electric
- At 4,205 mm, shorter than 90% of SUVs in our UK catalogue.
- 10.4 m turning circle, tighter than 85% of SUVs in our database.
Smart #1
- At 4,270 mm, shorter than 90% of SUVs in our UK catalogue.
- One of 33 of 233 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Hyundai KONA Electric 39kWh |  Smart #1 Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.21m | 4.27m+65mm |
| Width | 1.80m | 1.82m+22mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.07m | 2.02m-45mm |
| Height | 1.57m | 1.64m+66mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.60m | 2.75m+150mm |
| Ground Clearance | 170mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 332L (better) | 313L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1114L (better) | 976L |
| Frunk | Not available | 15L |
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.4m (better) | 11m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,535kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 39.2kWh | 49kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 190 mi | 193 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 44kW | 130kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £29,495 (better) | £29,960 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2018–2020 | 2023+ |
* Hyundai KONA Electric: Heat pump: an option on every trim, not standard.
* Hyundai KONA Electric: Manufacturer lists no towing capacity for the 39 kWh car.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Hyundai KONA Electric39kWh | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 190 miles | 193 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 158 miles (better) | 133 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 48 min | 30 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 44 kW | 130 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 7.2 kW | 7.4 kW (better) |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 181 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 36 kWh | 49 kWh (better) |
| 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 | Hyundai KONA Electric39kWh | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 9.9 sec | Not available |
| Power | 100 kW | 200 kW (better) |
| Torque | 395 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.
Hyundai KONA Electric
39kWh
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.
Hyundai KONA Electric
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 | Hyundai KONA Electric39kWh | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Recent used-price trend | Up 12.8% over ~6 months | 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 - Hyundai KONA Electric 39kWh
Tested 2017
Adult Occupant87%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users62%
Safety Assist60%
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 | Hyundai KONA Electric39kWh | 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.
Hyundai KONA Electric
39kWh
Owners love
- Outstanding efficiency, with owners commonly seeing 4-5 miles per kWh
- Long real-world range from the 64 kWh battery: around 250 miles in winter and 300 or more in summer
- Quick, smooth and easy to drive, with good adaptive cruise and lane assistance
Watch out for
- Early cars were caught up in battery recalls, and some owners describe slow communication from Hyundai and dealers
- Small boot and tight rear space for a family
- Some used cars have been advertised with the wrong battery size
Owner tips
- Confirm the battery size (39 or 64 kWh) with Hyundai from the VIN rather than trusting the advert
- Check every battery recall has been done, and whether the battery has been replaced
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
Hyundai KONA Electric
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Smart #1
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Hyundai KONA Electric
No active listings.
Smart #1
- £23,9992024Car360View
- £23,7712024Car360View
- £22,9002024EV ExpertsView
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Hyundai KONA Electric or the Smart #1?
The Hyundai KONA Electric is £465 cheaper to buy. The Hyundai KONA Electric is cheaper to charge, roughly £144 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 Hyundai KONA Electric comes out roughly £745 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 KONA Electric and Smart #1 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 158 miles for the Hyundai KONA Electric and 133 miles for the Smart #1 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Hyundai KONA Electric goes roughly 25 miles further between charging stops. A rapid charge to 80% takes around 48 minutes in the Hyundai KONA Electric and 30 in the Smart #1, so the Smart #1 loses less time at each stop. So the Hyundai KONA Electric stops less often while the Smart #1 stops for less time - pick on which you would rather do.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Hyundai KONA Electric or the Smart #1?
The two are within 22 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 600 mm of total clearance for the Hyundai KONA Electric and about 578 mm of total clearance for the Smart #1. The Hyundai KONA Electric also turns in a 0.6 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Hyundai KONA Electric or the Smart #1?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 86% battery health for the Hyundai KONA Electric 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 Hyundai KONA Electric'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 KONA Electric 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 Hyundai KONA Electric and Smart #1 rank among EVs under £30,000Where the Hyundai KONA Electric and Smart #1 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Hyundai KONA Electric and Smart #1 rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the Hyundai KONA Electric and Smart #1 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Hyundai KONA Electric and Smart #1 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Hyundai KONA Electric and Smart #1 rank among the cheapest EVs to run
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.
Guide
Buying a Used Hyundai KONA Electric (2018-2023): 39 or 64 kWh, Battery Recalls, Range & What to Check
A used Hyundai KONA Electric buyer’s guide: 39 vs 64 kWh, the 2021 facelift, the battery recalls, warranty, towing, real-world range, the new KONA, 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 .