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Hyundai KONA Electric vs Smart #1
Selected trimAdvanceChange trim319 mi · 65.4 kWh · £35,000
At a glance
In this comparison, Hyundai KONA Electric leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality, while the Smart #1 counters with the lowest price.
Best value
Hyundai KONA ElectricRange & charging
Hyundai KONA ElectricPracticality
Hyundai KONA ElectricWhich should you choose?
Choose the Hyundai KONA Electric if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- 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 want the lowest running costs - from just 1.7p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Hyundai KONA Electric wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueHyundai
Hyundai
6.5
Smart
5.9
Motorway RangeHyundai
Hyundai
5.1
Smart
1.9
FamilyHyundai
Hyundai
6.4
Smart
5.4
Cost Per MileHyundai
Hyundai
9.1
Smart
1.9
City DrivingHyundai
Hyundai
6.9
Smart
6
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Hyundai KONA Electric
Advance
- 126 miles more WLTP range
- 153 litres more boot space
- 0.4 m tighter turning circle
- 750 kg more towing capacity
Smart #1
Pure
- £5,040 cheaper
- 29 kW faster rapid charging
- 11 min quicker 10-80% rapid charge
- 40 kW more power
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Hyundai KONA ElectricAdvance | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £35,000 | £29,960 (better) |
| Official range | 319 miles (better) | 193 miles |
| Boot space | 466 L (better) | 313 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 41 min | 30 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 7.8 sec | Not available |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Hyundai KONA Electric
Smart #1
Length
Hyundai KONA Electric4,355mm
Smart #14,270mm-85mm
Width
Hyundai KONA Electric1,825mm
Smart #11,822mm-3mm
Height
Hyundai KONA Electric1,580mm-56mm
Smart #11,636mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Hyundai KONA ElectricAdvance | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,355 mm | 4,270 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,825 mm | 1,822 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,100 mm | 2,025 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,580 mm | 1,636 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.6 m (better) | 11 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 575 mm spare | 578 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Hyundai KONA ElectricAdvance | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 466 L (better) | 313 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1300 L (better) | 976 L |
| Frunk | 27 L (better) | 15 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 750 kg (better) | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Hyundai KONA Electric
- Eligible for the full £3,750 UK Electric Car Grant, one of 7 SUVs we track that qualifies for the top band.
- At 4,355 mm, shorter than 80% of SUVs in our UK catalogue.
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 |  Hyundai KONA Electric Advance |  Smart #1 Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.36m | 4.27m-85mm |
| Width | 1.82m | 1.82m-3mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.10m | 2.02m-75mm |
| Height | 1.58m | 1.64m+56mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.66m | 2.75m+90mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 466L (better) | 313L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1300L (better) | 976L |
| Frunk | 27L (better) | 15L |
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.6m (better) | 11m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,747kg | Not available |
| Towing Capacity | 750kg (better) | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 65.4kWh (better) | 49kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 319 mi (better) | 193 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 101kW | 130kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £35,000 | £29,960 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £31,250 (-£3,750) | £29,960 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2023+ | 2023+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Hyundai KONA ElectricAdvance | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 319 miles (better) | 193 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 266 miles (better) | 133 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 41 min | 30 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 101 kW | 130 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 10.4 kW (better) | 7.4 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 181 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 65.4 kWh (better) | 49 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| 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.
| Measure | Hyundai KONA ElectricAdvance | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7.8 sec | Not available |
| Power | 160 kW | 200 kW (better) |
| Torque | 255 Nm | Not available |
| Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Hyundai KONA Electric
Advance
Smart #1
Pure
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 ElectricAdvance | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £21,270 | £22,900 |
| Average used price | £24,750 | £23,771 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 138 listings (better) | 10 listings |
| Saving vs RRP | £10,250 below new | £6,189 below new |
| Recent used-price trend | Up 42.2% 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 Advance
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant87%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users62%
Safety Assist60%
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 | Hyundai KONA ElectricAdvance | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,000 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.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag infotainment & software. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
Hyundai KONA Electric
Advance
Owners love
- Excellent driving dynamics with responsive handling, strong winter performance with proper tires, and instant responsive heating
- Competitive range for daily commuting (290-320km in winter, 300+ miles capability) with efficient regenerative braking
- Strong build quality and solid construction that feels well-engineered compared to competitors
Watch out for
- Significant winter range loss of 25-35% requires careful trip planning in cold climates
- Cramped headroom and limited interior space compared to competitors like Kia Soul EV and Niro EV
- Level 1 (120V) charging is impractically slow at approximately 100km per 12 hours without Level 2 installation
Owner tips
- Install a Level 2 home charger (7.4kW) as soon as feasible; a 20A 220V outlet with supplied charger offers a cost-effective interim solution
- Pre-heat the vehicle while plugged in before departure to minimize climate control energy consumption in cold weather
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
- £31,9902026Cars2View
- £22,5002024EV ExpertsView
- £15,6952023Drive GreenView
Smart #1
- £23,7712024Car360View
- £23,9992024Car360View
- £22,9002024EV ExpertsView
Frequently asked questions
Is the Hyundai KONA Electric worth the extra £5,040 over the Smart #1?
The Hyundai KONA Electric costs £5,040 more than the Smart #1. For that premium it adds 126 miles more WLTP range and 153 litres more boot space. The Smart #1 is not just cheaper - it also offers 29 kW faster peak rapid charging and 40 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Hyundai KONA Electric comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Hyundai KONA Electric or the Smart #1?
The Smart #1 is £5,040 cheaper to buy. The Hyundai KONA Electric is cheaper to charge, roughly £136 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 £4,720 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 266 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 133 miles further between charging stops. A rapid charge to 80% takes around 41 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 3 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 578 mm of total clearance for the Smart #1 and about 575 mm of total clearance for the Hyundai KONA Electric. The Hyundai KONA Electric also turns in a 0.4 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 £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 runWhere the Hyundai KONA Electric and Smart #1 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 .