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Renault 5 vs Smart #1
Selected trimEvolutionChange trim191 mi · 40 kWh · £22,995
At a glance
In this comparison, Renault 5 leads on motorway range, family practicality and charging speed, while the Smart #1 stays competitive across the board.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Renault 5 if...
- 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
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Renault 5 wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
Value
Renault
6
Smart
5.9
Too close to call
Motorway RangeRenault
Renault
4.2
Smart
1.9
FamilyRenault
Renault
5.9
Smart
5.4
ChargingRenault
Renault
3.5
Smart
2.9
Cost Per MileRenault
Renault
8.8
Smart
1.9
City DrivingRenault
Renault
8.7
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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Renault 5
Smart #1
Length
Renault 53,922mm-348mm
Smart #14,270mm
Width
Renault 51,808mm-14mm
Smart #11,822mm
Height
Renault 51,498mm-138mm
Smart #11,636mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Renault 5Evolution | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3,922 mm | 4,270 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,808 mm (better) | 1,822 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,020 mm (better) | 2,025 mm |
| Height | 1,498 mm | 1,636 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.3 m (better) | 11 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 592 mm spare (better) | 578 mm spare |
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.
Renault 5
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 32 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Renault 5 Evolution |  Smart #1 Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3.92m | 4.27m+348mm |
| Width | 1.81m | 1.82m+14mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.02m | 2.02m+5mm |
| Height | 1.50m | 1.64m+138mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.54m | 2.75m+210mm |
| Ground Clearance | 145mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 326L (better) | 313L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1106L (better) | 976L |
| Frunk | Not available | 15L |
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.3m (better) | 11m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,463kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 40kWh | 49kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 191 mi | 193 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 80kW | 130kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £22,995 (better) | £29,960 |
| Price after EV grant | £21,495 (-£1,500) | £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 | Renault 5Evolution | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 191 miles | 193 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 160 miles (better) | 133 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 31 min | 30 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 80 kW | 130 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW (better) | 7.4 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 181 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 40 kWh | 49 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
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.
Renault 5
Evolution
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.
Renault 5
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 | Renault 5Evolution | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £19,804 | £22,900 |
| Average used price | £20,974 | £23,771 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 26 listings (better) | 10 listings |
| Saving vs RRP | £2,021 below new | £6,189 below new |
| Recent used-price trend | Down 8.8% 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.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Renault 5 Evolution
Tested 2024
Adult Occupant80%
Child Occupant80%
Vulnerable Road Users76%
Safety Assist68%
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.
Renault 5
Evolution
Owners love
- Owners love the design and say it is fun, nimble and easy to park in town.
- The interior feels well made for the price, with comfortable front seats and physical climate buttons.
- The Google-based infotainment is quick and easy to use, and phone mirroring works well.
Watch out for
- Rear legroom is very tight, so owners call it a car for two adults or a family with small children.
- Real-world range falls well short of WLTP for some owners, especially in cold weather or on fast roads.
- There is no true one-pedal driving: the strongest regen setting still needs the brake to stop.
Owner tips
- If smart charging fails, ask the dealer for the latest software and set charging from the car's own schedule.
- Choose the 52 kWh battery if you do regular longer trips.
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
Renault 5
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Smart #1
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Renault 5
- £19,8992025Car360View
- £21,6622026Car360View
- £29,6992026Cars2View
Smart #1
- £23,9992024Car360View
- £23,7712024Car360View
- £22,9002024EV ExpertsView
Frequently asked questions
Is the Smart #1 worth the extra £6,965 over the Renault 5?
The Smart #1 costs £6,965 more than the Renault 5. For that premium it adds 50 kW faster peak rapid charging and 110 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Renault 5 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Renault 5 or the Smart #1?
The Renault 5 is £6,965 cheaper to buy. The Renault 5 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 Renault 5 comes out roughly £7,245 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Renault 5 and Smart #1 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 160 miles for the Renault 5 and 133 miles for the Smart #1 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Renault 5 goes roughly 27 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 30-31 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Renault 5 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 592 mm of total clearance for the Renault 5 and about 578 mm of total clearance for the Smart #1. The Renault 5 also turns in a 0.7 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Renault 5 or the Smart #1?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Renault 5 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 Renault 5'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 Renault 5 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 Renault 5 and Smart #1 rank among EVs under £30,000Where the Renault 5 and Smart #1 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Renault 5 and Smart #1 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Renault 5 and Smart #1 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Renault 5 and Smart #1 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Renault 5 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 Renault 5 E-Tech (2025 on): 40 vs 52 kWh, the Grant & What to Pay
A used Renault 5 E-Tech buyer’s guide: the 40 kWh and 52 kWh batteries, the trims, why the £3,750 grant makes a new one barely dearer than a used one, warranty, real-world range, 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 .