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Lotus Eletre vs Smart #5
At a glance
In this comparison, Lotus Eletre 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 Lotus Eletre 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
Lotus
4.4
Smart
6.4
Motorway RangeLotus
Lotus
6.7
Smart
2.7
FamilySmart
Lotus
5
Smart
9
ChargingLotus
Lotus
9.3
Smart
5
City DrivingSmart
Lotus
0.4
Smart
3.2
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Lotus Eletre
600
- 85 miles more WLTP range
- 217 kW faster rapid charging
- 200 kW more power
- 2.4s quicker 0-62 mph
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Lotus Eletre600 | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £86,885 | £39,800 (better) |
| Official range | 373 miles (better) | 288 miles |
| Boot space | 611 L | 630 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 4.5 sec (better) | 6.9 sec |
Size Comparison
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Lotus Eletre
Smart #5
Length
Lotus Eletre5,103mm
Smart #54,695mm-408mm
Width
Lotus Eletre2,019mm
Smart #51,920mm-99mm
Height
Lotus Eletre1,630mm-75mm
Smart #51,705mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Lotus Eletre600 | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 5,103 mm | 4,695 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 2,019 mm | 1,920 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,231 mm | 2,169 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,630 mm | 1,705 mm |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 381 mm spare | 480 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Lotus Eletre600 | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 611 L | 630 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1532 L (better) | 1530 L |
| Frunk | Not available | 47 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 1,600 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Lotus Eletre
- At 5,103 mm, longer than 95% of SUVs we track.
- 373 mile WLTP range, longer than 85% of SUVs we track.
- Peak DC charging of 367 kW, faster than 95% of SUVs in our catalogue.
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 |  Lotus Eletre 600 |  Smart #5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5.10m | 4.70m-408mm |
| Width | 2.02m | 1.92m-99mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.23m | 2.17m-62mm |
| Height | 1.63m | 1.71m+75mm |
| Wheelbase | 3.02m | 2.90m-119mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 190mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 611L | 630L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1532L (better) | 1530L |
| Frunk | Not available | 47L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Kerb Weight | 2,640kg | 2,200kg (better) |
| Towing Capacity | Not available | 1,600kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 112kWh (better) | 76kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 373 mi (better) | 288 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 367kW (better) | 150kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £86,885 | £39,800 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2023+ | 2025+ |
* Lotus Eletre: 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 | Lotus Eletre600 | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 373 miles (better) | 288 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 311 miles (better) | 202 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 367 kW (better) | 150 kW |
| Home AC charging | 22 kW (better) | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 185 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 109 kWh (better) | 76 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | Not available | 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 | Lotus Eletre600 | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 4.5 sec (better) | 6.9 sec |
| Power | 450 kW (better) | 250 kW |
| Torque | 710 Nm (better) | 373 Nm |
| Drivetrain | AWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Lotus Eletre
600
8.3/10
average across 6 reviews
- Electrifying.com9/10
- Auto Express4.5/5
- DrivingElectric4.5/5
Smart #5
Pro
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Lotus Eletre
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 - Lotus Eletre 600
Lotus Eletre 600
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 #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 | Lotus Eletre600 | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | Not available | 8 years |
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, real-world range. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
Lotus Eletre
600
Owners love
- Premium interior quality with high-end materials, crisp displays, and elegant design that rivals German competitors
- Impressive performance with up to 905hp delivering 2.9-second 0-62mph acceleration comparable to supercars
- Excellent handling for a 2.6-tonne SUV with responsive steering, air suspension, and torque vectoring that conveys a Lotus-inspired feel
Watch out for
- Poor real-world efficiency at 1.95-2.2 mi/kWh and expensive public charging (85-87p/kWh) making it costly to operate without home charging
- Severe depreciation with values dropping from £102,000 to under £66,000 within 20 months, raising residual value concerns
- Numerous software-related issues causing extended dealership downtime of weeks or months, with inconsistent support across the network
Owner tips
- Install a home charger before purchase—public charging costs are prohibitively expensive at 85-87p/kWh, roughly equivalent to 15mpg petrol running costs
- Use Tour mode for everyday driving rather than Sport or Track modes, which offer better comfort, efficiency, and handling balance on UK roads
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
Lotus Eletre
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Smart #5
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Lotus Eletre
- £62,5992024Car360View
- £62,9992024Car360View
Smart #5
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Lotus Eletre worth the extra £47,085 over the Smart #5?
The Lotus Eletre costs £47,085 more than the Smart #5. For that premium it adds 85 miles more WLTP range, 217 kW faster peak rapid charging and 200 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Smart #5 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Lotus Eletre or the Smart #5?
The Smart #5 is £47,085 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 £47,125 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Lotus Eletre and Smart #5 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 311 miles for the Lotus Eletre and 202 miles for the Smart #5 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Lotus Eletre goes roughly 109 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Lotus Eletre or the Smart #5?
The Smart #5 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 99 mm narrower than the Lotus Eletre. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 480 mm of total clearance for the Smart #5 and about 381 mm of total clearance for the Lotus Eletre.
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 Lotus Eletre 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 Lotus Eletre and Smart #5 rank among the best family EVsWhere the Lotus Eletre and Smart #5 rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the Lotus Eletre and Smart #5 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Lotus Eletre and Smart #5 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Lotus Eletre and Smart #5 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Lotus Eletre and Smart #5 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .