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MG4 EV (2022-2025) vs Smart #1
At a glance
In this comparison, MG MG4 EV leads on family practicality, charging speed and city driving, while the Smart #1 stays competitive across the board.
Which should you choose?
Choose the MG4 EV (2022-2025) if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The MG MG4 EV wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
Value
MG
6.3
Smart
5.9
Too close to call
FamilyMG
MG
6.8
Smart
5.4
ChargingMG
MG
4.6
Smart
2.9
City DrivingMG
MG
7
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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MG4 EV
Smart #1
Length
MG4 EV4,287mm
Smart #14,270mm-17mm
Width
MG4 EV1,836mm
Smart #11,822mm-14mm
Height
MG4 EV1,504mm-132mm
Smart #11,636mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | MG4 EVSE Standard Range | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,287 mm | 4,270 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,836 mm | 1,822 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,060 mm | 2,025 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,504 mm | 1,636 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.5 m (better) | 11 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 564 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.
MG4 EV
- Peak DC charging of 117 kW, faster than 85% of hatchback EVs in our catalogue.
- One of 33 of 233 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
- 2,705 mm wheelbase, longer than 85% of hatchback EVs we track.
Smart #1
- At 4,270 mm, shorter than 90% of SUVs in our UK catalogue.
- One of 33 of 233 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
Full specifications
| Specification |  MG4 EV SE Standard Range |  Smart #1 Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.29m | 4.27m-17mm |
| Width | 1.84m | 1.82m-14mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.06m | 2.02m-35mm |
| Height | 1.50m | 1.64m+132mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.71m | 2.75m+45mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 363L (better) | 313L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1177L (better) | 976L |
| Frunk | Not available | 15L (better) |
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.5m (better) | 11m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,655kg | Not available |
| Towing Capacity | 500kg (better) | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 51kWh (better) | 49kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 217 mi (better) | 193 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 117kW | 130kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £25,995 (better) | £29,960 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | SUV |
| Available | 2022–2026 | 2023+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | MG4 EVSE Standard Range | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 217 miles (better) | 193 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 155 miles (better) | 133 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 39 min | 30 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 117 kW | 130 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 7 kW | 7.4 kW (better) |
| Energy consumption | 170 Wh/km (better) | 181 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 50.8 kWh (better) | 49 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Not 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. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
MG4 EV
SE Standard Range
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Smart #1
Pure
7.5/10
average across 4 reviews
- Electrifying.com9/10
- Autocar3.5/5
- 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
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.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - MG MG4 EV SE Standard Range
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant83%
Child Occupant80%
Vulnerable Road Users75%
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.
MG4 EV
SE Standard Range
Owners love
- Exceptional value for money compared to competitors like the VW ID.3 and Renault Zoe, with better specs at a lower price point.
- Fun to drive with responsive handling and excellent one-pedal regenerative braking in aggressive mode.
- Impressive real-world range and battery retention, often meeting or exceeding dashboard predictions even during spirited driving.
Watch out for
- Software and infotainment system plagued by bugs including random radio failures, app crashes, navigation freezes, and connectivity issues requiring frequent workarounds.
- Lane Keep Assist cannot be permanently disabled and repeatedly reactivates after each trip, described by owners as dangerously intrusive on country roads.
- Real-world range significantly lower than WLTP claims, particularly in winter when heating reduces range by 30-40%, with motorway speeds above 70 mph causing steep efficiency cliffs.
Owner tips
- Keep motorway speeds at 60-65 mph instead of 70 mph to significantly improve efficiency; slower speeds can effectively increase usable range by up to 35 percent.
- Disable Lane Keep Assist and collision avoidance systems immediately if they interfere with driving, then re-disable at each startup since settings revert when the car is turned off.
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
MG4 EV
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Smart #1
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
MG4 EV
- £11,2992023Car360View
- £16,0292025Car360View
- £15,2992025Car360View
Smart #1
- £23,9992024Car360View
- £23,7712024Car360View
- £22,9002024EV ExpertsView
Frequently asked questions
Is the Smart #1 worth the extra £3,965 over the MG MG4 EV?
The Smart #1 costs £3,965 more than the MG MG4 EV. For that premium it adds 75 kW more power. The MG MG4 EV is not just cheaper - it also offers 50 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the MG MG4 EV comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the MG MG4 EV or the Smart #1?
The MG MG4 EV is £3,965 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £184 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the MG MG4 EV comes out roughly £4,045 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 MG4 EV and Smart #1 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 155 miles for the MG MG4 EV 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 MG4 EV goes roughly 22 miles further between charging stops. A rapid charge to 80% takes around 39 minutes in the MG MG4 EV and 30 in the Smart #1, so the Smart #1 loses less time at each stop. So the MG MG4 EV 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 MG4 EV or the Smart #1?
The two are within 14 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 564 mm of total clearance for the MG MG4 EV. The MG MG4 EV also turns in a 0.5 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the MG MG4 EV or the Smart #1?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the MG MG4 EV 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. The Smart #1 has the longer battery warranty at 8 years, versus 7 for the MG MG4 EV.
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 MG4 EV 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 MG4 EV and Smart #1 rank among EVs under £30,000Where the MG MG4 EV and Smart #1 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the MG MG4 EV and Smart #1 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the MG MG4 EV and Smart #1 rank among the best city EVsWhere the MG MG4 EV and Smart #1 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the MG MG4 EV and Smart #1 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.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used MG4 (2022-2025): SE vs Trophy vs XPOWER, Warranty, Range & What to Check
A used MG4 EV buyer’s guide: the five versions and the 2026 facelift, how it differs from the MG4 Urban, the transferable 7-year warranty and how to keep it, LFP vs NMC batteries, real-world range, the recall, what to pay 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 .