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Kia EV2 vs Smart #1
Selected trimAirChange trim281 mi · 61 kWh · £27,995
At a glance
In this comparison, Kia EV2 leads on motorway range, charging speed and running costs, while the Smart #1 leads on value for money and family practicality.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Kia EV2 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 1.8p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
Choose the Smart #1 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Kia EV2 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueSmart
Kia
5.1
Smart
5.9
Motorway RangeKia
Kia
5.5
Smart
1.9
FamilySmart
Kia
2.1
Smart
5.4
ChargingKia
Kia
4.8
Smart
2.9
Cost Per MileKia
Kia
8.3
Smart
1.9
City DrivingKia
Kia
8.8
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.
Size Comparison
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Kia EV2
Smart #1
Length
Kia EV24,060mm-210mm
Smart #14,270mm
Width
Kia EV21,800mm-22mm
Smart #11,822mm
Height
Kia EV21,575mm-61mm
Smart #11,636mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Kia EV2
- At 4,060 mm, shorter than 100% of SUVs in our UK catalogue.
- Eligible for the full £3,750 UK Electric Car Grant, one of 7 SUVs we track that qualifies for the top band.
- One of 32 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
Smart #1
- At 4,270 mm, shorter than 90% of SUVs in our UK catalogue.
- One of 32 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Kia EV2 Air |  Smart #1 Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.06m | 4.27m+210mm |
| Width | 1.80m | 1.82m+22mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.02m |
| Height | 1.57m | 1.64m+61mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.56m | 2.75m+185mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 362L (better) | 313L |
| Boot (seats down) | Not available | 976L |
| Frunk | Not available | 15L |
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.02m (better) | 11m |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 61kWh (better) | 49kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 281 mi (better) | 193 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 150kW (better) | 130kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £27,995 (better) | £29,960 |
| Price after EV grant | £24,245 (-£3,750) | £29,960 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2026+ | 2023+ |
* Kia EV2: 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 | Kia EV2Air | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 281 miles (better) | 193 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 234 miles (better) | 133 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 150 kW (better) | 130 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW (better) | 7.4 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 181 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 61 kWh (better) | 49 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Kia EV2
Air
Smart #1
Pure
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Kia EV2
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.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Kia EV2 Air
Kia EV2 Air
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.
Buying options
Get a quote
Kia EV2
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Smart #1
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Kia EV2
No active listings.
Smart #1
- £23,9992024Car360View
- £23,7712024Car360View
- £22,9002024EV ExpertsView
Frequently asked questions
Is the Smart #1 worth the extra £1,965 over the Kia EV2?
The Smart #1 costs £1,965 more than the Kia EV2. For that premium it adds 100 kW more power. The Kia EV2 is not just cheaper - it also offers 88 miles more WLTP range. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Kia EV2 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Kia EV2 or the Smart #1?
The Kia EV2 is £1,965 cheaper to buy. The Kia EV2 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 Kia EV2 comes out roughly £2,245 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Kia EV2 and Smart #1 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 234 miles for the Kia EV2 and 133 miles for the Smart #1 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Kia EV2 goes roughly 101 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Kia EV2 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 Kia EV2 and about 578 mm of total clearance for the Smart #1. The Kia EV2 also turns in a 1.0 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Kia EV2 or the Smart #1?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Kia EV2 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 Kia EV2's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. The Smart #1 has the longer battery warranty at 8 years, versus 7 for the Kia EV2.
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 Kia EV2 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 Kia EV2 and Smart #1 rank among EVs under £30,000Where the Kia EV2 and Smart #1 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Kia EV2 and Smart #1 rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the Kia EV2 and Smart #1 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Kia EV2 and Smart #1 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Kia EV2 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.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .