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Kia EV3 vs Smart #1
Selected trimStandard Range 58.3kWhChange trim270 mi · 58.3 kWh · £33,055
At a glance
In this comparison, Kia EV3 leads on motorway range, family practicality and charging speed, while the Smart #1 counters with the lowest price.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Kia EV3 if...
- 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 need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2p 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 Kia EV3 wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
Value
Kia
6.3
Smart
5.9
Too close to call
Motorway RangeKia
Kia
4.1
Smart
1.9
FamilyKia
Kia
6.5
Smart
5.4
ChargingKia
Kia
4
Smart
2.9
Cost Per MileKia
Kia
6
Smart
1.9
City DrivingKia
Kia
7.4
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 EV3
Smart #1
Length
Kia EV34,310mm
Smart #14,270mm-40mm
Width
Kia EV31,850mm
Smart #11,822mm-28mm
Height
Kia EV31,570mm-66mm
Smart #11,636mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Kia EV3Standard Range 58.3kWh | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,310 mm | 4,270 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,850 mm | 1,822 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 2,025 mm |
| 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. | 550 mm spare | 578 mm spare (better) |
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 EV3
- At 4,310 mm, shorter than 85% of SUVs in our UK catalogue.
- Uses 149 Wh/km on the WLTP cycle, more efficient than 90% of SUVs we track.
- 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 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Kia EV3 Standard Range 58.3kWh |  Smart #1 Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.31m | 4.27m-40mm |
| Width | 1.85m | 1.82m-28mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.02m |
| Height | 1.57m | 1.64m+66mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.68m | 2.75m+70mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 460L (better) | 313L |
| Boot (seats down) | Not available | 976L |
| Frunk | 25L (better) | 15L |
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.4m (better) | 11m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,800kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 58.3kWh (better) | 49kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 270 mi (better) | 193 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 127kW | 130kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £33,055 | £29,960 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £31,555 (-£1,500) | £29,960 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2024+ | 2023+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Kia EV3Standard Range 58.3kWh | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 270 miles (better) | 193 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 193 miles (better) | 133 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 29 min (better) | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 127 kW | 130 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW (better) | 7.4 kW |
| Energy consumption | 149 Wh/km (better) | 181 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 58.3 kWh (better) | 49 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NCMA | LFP |
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 EV3
Standard Range 58.3kWh
8.5/10
average across 5 reviews
- Auto Express4.5/5
- DrivingElectric4.5/5
- Parkers4.2/5
Smart #1
Pure
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Kia EV3
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.
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.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Kia EV3 Standard Range 58.3kWh
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant83%
Child Occupant84%
Vulnerable Road Users78%
Safety Assist78%
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.
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.
Kia EV3
Standard Range 58.3kWh
Owners love
- Owners are consistently delighted with the range: 250-350 miles in practice, around 4.5-5 miles per kWh in summer and about 3 in winter.
- Interior quality, space and comfort are rated well above what the size and price suggest.
- The ride is comfortable and the car is easy and quiet to drive.
Watch out for
- Rapid charging is slower than some rivals: owners see peaks of around 100-135 kW and a curve that tails off.
- The safety and driver-assistance systems beep too often and some are over-sensitive.
- A few owners report home AC charging dropping to 1.4-3.4 kW or other charging faults, with slow dealer diagnosis.
Owner tips
- Spend the first week setting up the infotainment and turning off the driver-assistance alerts you don't want.
- Expect 2.8-3.5 miles per kWh in winter and plan longer winter trips around it.
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
Kia EV3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Smart #1
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Kia EV3
No active listings.
Smart #1
- £23,9992024Car360View
- £23,7712024Car360View
- £22,9002024EV ExpertsView
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kia EV3 worth the extra £3,095 over the Smart #1?
The Kia EV3 costs £3,095 more than the Smart #1. For that premium it adds 77 miles more WLTP range, 147 litres more boot space and lower energy use, 149 versus 181 Wh/km. The Smart #1 is not just cheaper - it also offers 50 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Kia EV3 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Kia EV3 or the Smart #1?
The Smart #1 is £3,095 cheaper to buy. The Kia EV3 is cheaper to charge, roughly £160 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 £2,895 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 EV3 and Smart #1 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 193 miles for the Kia EV3 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 EV3 goes roughly 60 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 29-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Kia EV3 or the Smart #1?
The two are within 28 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 550 mm of total clearance for the Kia EV3. The Kia EV3 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 Kia EV3 or the Smart #1?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 89% battery health for the Kia EV3 and 90% for the Smart #1. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. The Smart #1's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the Kia EV3'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 Kia EV3 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 EV3 and Smart #1 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Kia EV3 and Smart #1 rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the Kia EV3 and Smart #1 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Kia EV3 and Smart #1 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Kia EV3 and Smart #1 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Kia EV3 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.
GuideBuying a Used Kia EV3 (2024 on): Which Battery, the Recall, the 7-Year Warranty & What to Pay
A used Kia EV3 buyer’s guide: Standard and Long Range explained, the instrument-cluster recall, the 7-year warranty left, real-world range, what owners report, what to pay against a new one with the grant, 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 .