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MG IM5 vs Smart #1
Selected trim75 Standard RangeChange trim304 mi · 75 kWh · £39,450
At a glance
In this comparison, MG IM5 stays competitive across the board, while the Smart #1 leads on value for money, family practicality and city driving.
Which should you choose?
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
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Smart #1 wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueSmart
MG
5.1
Smart
5.9
FamilySmart
MG
3.3
Smart
5.4
City DrivingSmart
MG
4.1
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.
Size Comparison
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MG IM5
Smart #1
Length
MG IM54,931mm
Smart #14,270mm-661mm
Width
MG IM51,960mm
Smart #11,822mm-138mm
Height
MG IM51,474mm-162mm
Smart #11,636mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | MG IM575 Standard Range | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,931 mm | 4,270 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,960 mm | 1,822 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,077 mm | 2,025 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,474 mm | 1,636 mm |
| Turning circle | 10 m (better) | 11 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 440 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.
MG IM5
- One of 32 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
- 9.98 m turning circle, tighter than 100% of saloon EVs in our database.
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 |  MG IM5 75 Standard Range |  Smart #1 Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.93m | 4.27m-661mm |
| Width | 1.96m | 1.82m-138mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.08m | 2.02m-52mm |
| Height | 1.47m | 1.64m+162mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.95m | 2.75m-200mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 457L (better) | 313L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1290L (better) | 976L |
| Frunk | 18L (better) | 15L |
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.98m (better) | 11m |
| Kerb Weight | 2,180kg | Not available |
| Towing Capacity | 1,500kg (better) | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 75kWh (better) | 49kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 304 mi (better) | 193 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 153kW (better) | 130kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £39,450 | £29,960 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Saloon | SUV |
| Available | 2025+ | 2023+ |
* MG IM5: 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 | MG IM575 Standard Range | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 304 miles (better) | 193 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 217 miles (better) | 133 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 65 min | 30 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 153 kW (better) | 130 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW (better) | 7.4 kW |
| Energy consumption | 175 Wh/km (better) | 181 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 73.5 kWh (better) | 49 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | 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.
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
MG IM5
75 Standard Range
Smart #1
Pure
7.5/10
average across 4 reviews
- Electrifying.com9/10
- Top Gear7/10
- DrivingElectric3.5/5
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
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 - MG IM5 75 Standard Range
MG IM5 75 Standard Range
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
MG IM5
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Smart #1
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
MG IM5
No active listings.
Smart #1
- £23,9992024Car360View
- £23,7712024Car360View
- £22,9002024EV ExpertsView
Frequently asked questions
Is the MG IM5 worth the extra £9,490 over the Smart #1?
The MG IM5 costs £9,490 more than the Smart #1. For that premium it adds 111 miles more WLTP range and 144 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Smart #1 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the MG IM5 or the Smart #1?
The Smart #1 is £9,490 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £192 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Smart #1 comes out roughly £9,450 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the MG IM5 and Smart #1 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 217 miles for the MG IM5 and 133 miles for the Smart #1 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The MG IM5 goes roughly 85 miles further between charging stops. A rapid charge to 80% takes around 65 minutes in the MG IM5 and 30 in the Smart #1, so the Smart #1 loses less time at each stop. So the MG IM5 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 MG IM5 or the Smart #1?
The Smart #1 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 138 mm narrower than the MG IM5. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 578 mm of total clearance for the Smart #1 and about 440 mm of total clearance for the MG IM5. The MG IM5 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 MG IM5 or the Smart #1?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the MG IM5 and 90% for the Smart #1. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use LFP-type cells, which are happy charged to 100% every day. 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 MG IM5 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 MG IM5 and Smart #1 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the MG IM5 and Smart #1 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the MG IM5 and Smart #1 rank among the best city EVsWhere the MG IM5 and Smart #1 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the MG IM5 and Smart #1 rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the MG IM5 and Smart #1 rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
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 .