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MINI Countryman vs Smart #1
Selected trimEChange trim310 mi · 65.2 kWh · £33,005
At a glance
In this comparison, MINI Countryman leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality, while the Smart #1 leads on city driving.
Which should you choose?
Choose the MINI Countryman if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- 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 1.8p per mile on off-peak electricity
Choose the Smart #1 if...
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The MINI Countryman wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueMINI
MINI
6.8
Smart
5.9
Motorway RangeMINI
MINI
5.7
Smart
1.9
FamilyMINI
MINI
6.3
Smart
5.4
ChargingMINI
MINI
4.1
Smart
2.9
Cost Per MileMINI
MINI
8.7
Smart
1.9
City DrivingSmart
MINI
5.5
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.
| Measure | MINI CountrymanE | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £33,005 | £29,960 (better) |
| Official range | 310 miles (better) | 193 miles |
| Boot space | 460 L (better) | 313 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 29 min (better) | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 8.6 sec | Not available |
Size Comparison
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MINI Countryman
Smart #1
Length
MINI Countryman4,445mm
Smart #14,270mm-175mm
Width
MINI Countryman1,843mm
Smart #11,822mm-21mm
Height
MINI Countryman1,635mm-1mm
Smart #11,636mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | MINI CountrymanE | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,445 mm | 4,270 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,843 mm | 1,822 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,073 mm | 2,025 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,635 mm | 1,636 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.4 m | 11 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 557 mm spare | 578 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | MINI CountrymanE | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Rear legroom | 892 mm | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 460 L (better) | 313 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1450 L (better) | 976 L |
| Frunk | 0 L | 15 L (better) |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 1,200 kg (better) | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
MINI Countryman
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
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 |  MINI Countryman E |  Smart #1 Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.45m | 4.27m-175mm |
| Width | 1.84m | 1.82m-21mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.07m | 2.02m-48mm |
| Height | 1.64m | 1.64m+1mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.69m | 2.75m+58mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 460L (better) | 313L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1450L (better) | 976L |
| Frunk | Not available | 15L (better) |
| Seats | Not available | Not available |
| Rear Legroom | 892mm | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.4m | 11m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 1,940kg | Not available |
| Towing Capacity | 1,200kg (better) | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 65.2kWh (better) | 49kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 310 mi (better) | 193 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 130kW | 130kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £33,005 | £29,960 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £29,255 (-£3,750) | £29,960 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2024+ | 2023+ |
* MINI Countryman: 11 kW AC is standard; 22 kW AC was an option.
* MINI Countryman: Current figure, for cars delivered from April 2026 after an efficiency update. Earlier cars have less range.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | MINI CountrymanE | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 310 miles (better) | 193 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 258 miles (better) | 133 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 29 min (better) | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 130 kW | 130 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW (better) | 7.4 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 181 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 65.2 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.
| Measure | MINI CountrymanE | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 8.6 sec | Not available |
| Power | 150 kW | 200 kW (better) |
| Torque | 250 Nm | Not available |
| Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
MINI Countryman
E
Smart #1
Pure
7.5/10
average across 4 reviews
- Electrifying.com9/10
- DrivingElectric3.5/5
- Top Gear7/10
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
MINI Countryman
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.
| Measure | MINI CountrymanE | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £29,357 | £22,900 |
| Average used price | £34,075 | £23,771 |
| Saving vs RRP | At or above new price | £6,189 below new |
| Recent used-price trend | Up 17.9% over ~6 months | Up 4.3% over ~6 months |
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 - MINI Countryman E
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant83%
Child Occupant87%
Vulnerable Road Users81%
Safety Assist79%
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.
| Measure | MINI CountrymanE | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 201,168 km (better) |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
MINI Countryman
E
Owners love
- First MINI purpose-built as an EV with proven BMW iX1 dual-motor AWD technology and 313 hp output
- Owners praise the new MINI OS 9 navigation system, one-pedal driving, and driving assist modes
- Circular touchscreen display is innovative and the first fully-usable design of its kind
Watch out for
- Styling is controversial and considered generic compared to previous generations, lacking distinctive MINI character
- Front end proportions appear elongated and clumsy, with some comparing it unfavorably to ordinary sedans and the Ford Flex
- Charging speeds are modest at 100-130 kW DC, below current industry standards
Owner tips
- Use Shell Recharge integration or third-party NACS adapters like Lectron Vortex Plus to enable Plug & Charge on compatible networks like IONNA and Tesla
- Inspect interior trim carefully during purchase, particularly in Favored trim models, and examine official photos to verify proportions before committing
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
MINI Countryman
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Smart #1
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
MINI Countryman
No active listings.
Smart #1
- £23,9992024Car360View
- £23,7712024Car360View
- £22,9002024EV ExpertsView
Frequently asked questions
Is the MINI Countryman worth the extra £3,045 over the Smart #1?
The MINI Countryman costs £3,045 more than the Smart #1. For that premium it adds 117 miles more WLTP range and 147 litres more boot space. The Smart #1 is not just cheaper - it also offers 50 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the MINI Countryman comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the MINI Countryman or the Smart #1?
The Smart #1 is £3,045 cheaper to buy. The MINI Countryman 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 Smart #1 comes out roughly £2,765 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the MINI Countryman and Smart #1 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 258 miles for the MINI Countryman and 133 miles for the Smart #1 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The MINI Countryman goes roughly 126 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 MINI Countryman or the Smart #1?
The two are within 21 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 557 mm of total clearance for the MINI Countryman. The Smart #1 also turns in a 0.4 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the MINI Countryman or the Smart #1?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the MINI Countryman 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 MINI Countryman'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 MINI Countryman 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 MINI Countryman and Smart #1 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the MINI Countryman and Smart #1 rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the MINI Countryman and Smart #1 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the MINI Countryman and Smart #1 rank among the best city EVsWhere the MINI Countryman and Smart #1 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the MINI Countryman 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 MINI Countryman Electric (2024 on): E vs SE ALL4, the Grant & What to Pay
A used MINI Countryman Electric buyer’s guide: the E and SE ALL4, the 2026 range update, the £3,750 grant that makes a new one cheaper than many used ones, recalls, warranty, what owners report, 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 .