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Polestar 2 vs Smart #5
Selected trimStandard range Single motorChange trim344 mi · 70 kWh · £45,210
At a glance
In this comparison, Polestar 2 leads on motorway range, running costs and city driving, while the Smart #5 leads on family practicality and charging speed.
Best value
Too close to call
Range & charging
Too close to call
Practicality
Too close to call
Which should you choose?
Choose the Polestar 2 if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
Choose the Smart #5 if...
- you have a family - it has the best combination of boot space, safety, and rear legroom
- you need the fastest charging of these options
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Polestar 2 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
Value
Polestar
6.2
Smart
6.4
Too close to call
Motorway RangePolestar
Polestar
4.7
Smart
2.7
FamilySmart
Polestar
6
Smart
9
ChargingSmart
Polestar
4.1
Smart
5
Cost Per MilePolestar
Polestar
6
Smart
1.6
City DrivingPolestar
Polestar
4.9
Smart
3.2
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Polestar 2
Standard range Single motor
- 57 miles more WLTP range
- 30 kW faster rapid charging
- 36 Wh/km more efficient
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Polestar 2Standard range Single motor | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £45,210 | £39,800 (better) |
| Official range | 344 miles (better) | 288 miles |
| Boot space | 407 L | 630 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 26 min (better) | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 6.4 sec (better) | 6.9 sec |
Size Comparison
View:
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Polestar 2
Smart #5
Length
Polestar 24,606mm-89mm
Smart #54,695mm
Width
Polestar 21,859mm-61mm
Smart #51,920mm
Height
Polestar 21,479mm-226mm
Smart #51,705mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Polestar 2Standard range Single motor | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,606 mm | 4,695 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,859 mm (better) | 1,920 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,985 mm (better) | 2,169 mm |
| Height | 1,479 mm | 1,705 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.5 m | Not available |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 541 mm spare (better) | 480 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Polestar 2Standard range Single motor | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 407 L | 630 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1097 L | 1530 L (better) |
| Frunk | 41 L | 47 L (better) |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 1,500 kg | 1,600 kg (better) |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Polestar 2
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
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 |  Polestar 2 Standard range Single motor |  Smart #5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.61m | 4.70m+89mm |
| Width | 1.86m | 1.92m+61mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 1.99m | 2.17m+184mm |
| Height | 1.48m | 1.71m+226mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.73m | 2.90m+165mm |
| Ground Clearance | 151mm | 190mm+39mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 407L | 630L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1097L | 1530L (better) |
| Frunk | 41L | 47L (better) |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.5m | Not available |
| Kerb Weight | 1,995kg (better) | 2,200kg |
| Towing Capacity | 1,500kg | 1,600kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 70kWh | 76kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 344 mi (better) | 288 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 180kW (better) | 150kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £45,210 | £39,800 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Saloon | SUV |
| Available | 2024+ | 2025+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Polestar 2Standard range Single motor | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 344 miles (better) | 288 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 231 miles (better) | 202 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 26 min (better) | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 180 kW (better) | 150 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | 149 Wh/km (better) | 185 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 70 kWh | 76 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 800V (better) |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Polestar 2Standard range Single motor | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6.4 sec (better) | 6.9 sec |
| Power | 200 kW | 250 kW (better) |
| Torque | 490 Nm (better) | 373 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Polestar 2
Standard range Single motor
7.6/10
average across 7 reviews
- Electrifying.com8/10
- DrivingElectric4/5
- Car Magazine4/5
Smart #5
Pro
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Polestar 2
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 - Polestar 2 Standard range Single motor
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant93%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users80%
Safety Assist83%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
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 | Polestar 2Standard range Single motor | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | Not available |
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.
Polestar 2
Standard range Single motor
Owners love
- Excellent build quality and interior materials, notably superior to Tesla and ID.4 alternatives
- Outstanding Google infotainment system with intuitive interface, useful voice assistant, and no lag
- Improved range (350-409 miles WLTP) and efficiency reduce long-distance charging stops
Watch out for
- Performance Pack suspension is unrelenting on poor UK roads, compromising daily comfort and refinement
- Significant winter range loss of 15-30% in cold weather; real-world winter efficiency often disappoints versus WLTP ratings
- Excessive touchscreen reliance for basic controls like mirror adjustment and glove box access creates safety concerns
Owner tips
- Consider non-Performance Pack variants or request Ohlins free first setup service to optimize suspension tuning for your driving conditions
- Verify real-world winter range expectations before purchase; plan for 15-30% range loss during cold months and budget charging infrastructure accordingly
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
Polestar 2
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Smart #5
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Polestar 2
- £27,7662024Car360View
- £21,9992024Browns of RichmondView
Smart #5
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Polestar 2 worth the extra £5,410 over the Smart #5?
The Polestar 2 costs £5,410 more than the Smart #5. For that premium it adds 57 miles more WLTP range, 30 kW faster peak rapid charging and lower energy use, 149 versus 185 Wh/km. The Smart #5 is not just cheaper - it also offers 223 litres more boot space and 50 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Polestar 2 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Polestar 2 or the Smart #5?
The Smart #5 is £5,410 cheaper to buy. The Polestar 2 is cheaper to charge, roughly £160 a year versus £200 for the Smart #5, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Smart #5 comes out roughly £5,210 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Polestar 2 and Smart #5 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 231 miles for the Polestar 2 and 202 miles for the Smart #5 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Polestar 2 goes roughly 29 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 26-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Polestar 2 or the Smart #5?
The Polestar 2 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 61 mm narrower than the Smart #5. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 541 mm of total clearance for the Polestar 2 and about 480 mm of total clearance for the Smart #5.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Polestar 2 or the Smart #5?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the Polestar 2 and 90% for the Smart #5. 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.
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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 Polestar 2 and Smart #5 rank among the best family EVsWhere the Polestar 2 and Smart #5 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Polestar 2 and Smart #5 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Polestar 2 and Smart #5 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Polestar 2 and Smart #5 rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Polestar 2 and Smart #5 rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
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 .