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Nissan LEAF vs Smart #1
Selected trimEngageChange trim375 mi · 75 kWh · £35,999
At a glance
In this comparison, Nissan LEAF leads on motorway range, family practicality and charging speed, while the Smart #1 counters with the lowest price.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Nissan LEAF if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you have a family - it has the best combination of boot space, safety, and rear legroom
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.7p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Nissan LEAF wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
Value
Nissan
6.3
Smart
5.9
Too close to call
Motorway RangeNissan
Nissan
8.4
Smart
1.9
FamilyNissan
Nissan
8.3
Smart
5.4
ChargingNissan
Nissan
7
Smart
2.9
Cost Per MileNissan
Nissan
9.4
Smart
1.9
City DrivingNissan
Nissan
6.7
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.
| Measure | Nissan LEAFEngage | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £35,999 | £29,960 (better) |
| Official range | 375 miles (better) | 193 miles |
| Boot space | 437 L (better) | 313 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 7.6 sec | Not available |
Size Comparison
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Nissan LEAF
Smart #1
Length
Nissan LEAF4,350mm
Smart #14,270mm-80mm
Width
Nissan LEAF1,810mm-12mm
Smart #11,822mm
Height
Nissan LEAF1,550mm-86mm
Smart #11,636mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Nissan LEAFEngage | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,350 mm | 4,270 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,810 mm (better) | 1,822 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,098 mm | 2,025 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,550 mm | 1,636 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.8 m (better) | 11 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 590 mm spare (better) | 578 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Nissan LEAFEngage | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 437 L (better) | 313 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1052 L (better) | 976 L |
| Frunk | Not available | 15 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 975 kg (better) | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Nissan LEAF
- 375 mile WLTP range, longer than 100% of hatchback EVs we track.
- Eligible for the full £3,750 UK Electric Car Grant, one of 8 hatchback EVs we track that qualifies for the top band.
- At 4,350 mm, longer than 90% of hatchback EVs we track.
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 |  Nissan LEAF Engage |  Smart #1 Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.35m | 4.27m-80mm |
| Width | 1.81m | 1.82m+12mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.10m | 2.02m-73mm |
| Height | 1.55m | 1.64m+86mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.69m | 2.75m+60mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 437L (better) | 313L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1052L (better) | 976L |
| Frunk | Not available | 15L |
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.8m (better) | 11m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,883kg | Not available |
| Towing Capacity | 975kg (better) | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 75kWh (better) | 49kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 375 mi (better) | 193 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 150kW (better) | 130kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £35,999 | £29,960 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £32,249 (-£3,750) | £29,960 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | SUV |
| Available | 2025+ | 2023+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Nissan LEAFEngage | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 375 miles (better) | 193 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 313 miles (better) | 133 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 150 kW (better) | 130 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW (better) | 7.4 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 181 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 75 kWh (better) | 49 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| Heat pump | Standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Nissan LEAFEngage | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7.6 sec | Not available |
| Power | 160 kW | 200 kW (better) |
| Torque | 355 Nm | Not available |
| Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Nissan LEAF
Engage
7.9/10
average across 6 reviews
- Auto Express4.5/5
- Parkers4.3/5
- Electrifying.com8/10
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.
Nissan LEAF
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 | Nissan LEAFEngage | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £8,295 | £22,900 |
| Average used price | £8,295 | £23,771 |
| Saving vs RRP | £27,704 below new | £6,189 below new |
| Recent used-price trend | Down 3% 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 - Nissan LEAF Engage
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant93%
Child Occupant86%
Vulnerable Road Users71%
Safety Assist71%
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 | Nissan LEAFEngage | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | Not available | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | Not available | 201,168 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
Nissan LEAF
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Smart #1
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Nissan LEAF
No active listings.
Smart #1
- £23,9992024Car360View
- £23,7712024Car360View
- £22,9002024EV ExpertsView
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nissan LEAF worth the extra £6,039 over the Smart #1?
The Nissan LEAF costs £6,039 more than the Smart #1. For that premium it adds 182 miles more WLTP range and 124 litres more boot space. The Smart #1 is not just cheaper - it also offers 40 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Nissan LEAF comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Nissan LEAF or the Smart #1?
The Smart #1 is £6,039 cheaper to buy. The Nissan LEAF is cheaper to charge, roughly £136 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 £5,719 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Nissan LEAF and Smart #1 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 313 miles for the Nissan LEAF and 133 miles for the Smart #1 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Nissan LEAF goes roughly 180 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 30-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Nissan LEAF or the Smart #1?
The two are within 12 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 590 mm of total clearance for the Nissan LEAF and about 578 mm of total clearance for the Smart #1.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Nissan LEAF or the Smart #1?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Nissan LEAF 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 Nissan LEAF's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use.
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 Nissan LEAF 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 Nissan LEAF and Smart #1 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Nissan LEAF and Smart #1 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Nissan LEAF and Smart #1 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Nissan LEAF and Smart #1 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Nissan LEAF and Smart #1 rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Nissan LEAF 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 .