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Smart #1 vs Smart #5
At a glance
In this comparison, Smart #1 leads on city driving, while the Smart #5 leads on value for money, family practicality and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Smart #1 if...
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
Choose the Smart #5 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- 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 Smart #5 wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
Value#5
#1
5.9
#5
6.4
Family#5
#1
5.4
#5
9
Charging#5
#1
2.9
#5
5
City Driving#1
#1
6
#5
3.2
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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Smart #1
Smart #5
Length
Smart #14,270mm-425mm
Smart #54,695mm
Width
Smart #11,822mm-98mm
Smart #51,920mm
Height
Smart #11,636mm-69mm
Smart #51,705mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Smart #1Pure | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,270 mm | 4,695 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,822 mm (better) | 1,920 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,025 mm (better) | 2,169 mm |
| Height | 1,636 mm | 1,705 mm |
| Turning circle | 11 m | Not available |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 578 mm spare (better) | 480 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.
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.
Smart #5
- Boot space of 630 L is bigger than 90% of SUVs we track.
- One of 32 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Smart #1 Pure |  Smart #5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.27m | 4.70m+425mm |
| Width | 1.82m | 1.92m+98mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.02m | 2.17m+144mm |
| Height | 1.64m | 1.71m+69mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.75m | 2.90m+150mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 190mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 313L | 630L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 976L | 1530L (better) |
| Frunk | 15L | 47L (better) |
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11m | Not available |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 2,200kg |
| Towing Capacity | Not available | 1,600kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 49kWh | 76kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 193 mi | 288 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 130kW | 150kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £29,960 (better) | £39,800 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2023+ | 2025+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Smart #1Pure | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 193 miles | 288 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 133 miles | 202 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 130 kW | 150 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 7.4 kW | 11 kW (better) |
| Energy consumption | 181 Wh/km (better) | 185 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 49 kWh | 76 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | LFP |
| Battery architecture | Not available | 800V |
| Heat pump | Not available | Not standard |
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.
Smart #1
Pure
7.5/10
average across 4 reviews
- Electrifying.com9/10
- Autocar3.5/5
- DrivingElectric3.5/5
Smart #5
Pro
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Smart #1
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.
Safety & ownership confidence
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)
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.
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.
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.
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
Smart #1
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Smart #5
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Smart #1
- £23,9992024Car360View
- £23,7712024Car360View
- £22,9002024EV ExpertsView
Smart #5
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Smart #5 worth the extra £9,840 over the Smart #1?
The Smart #5 costs £9,840 more than the Smart #1. For that premium it adds 94 miles more WLTP range, 317 litres more boot space and 50 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Smart #5 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Smart #1 or the Smart #5?
The Smart #1 is £9,840 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £200 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Smart #1 comes out roughly £9,840 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Smart #1 and Smart #5 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 133 miles for the Smart #1 and 202 miles for the Smart #5 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Smart #5 goes roughly 69 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 Smart #1 or the Smart #5?
The Smart #1 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 98 mm narrower than the Smart #5. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 578 mm of total clearance for the Smart #1 and about 480 mm of total clearance for the Smart #5.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Smart #1 or the Smart #5?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the Smart #1 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.
More Smart #1 comparisons
More Smart #5 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 Smart #1 and Smart #5 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Smart #1 and Smart #5 rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the Smart #1 and Smart #5 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Smart #1 and Smart #5 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Smart #1 and Smart #5 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Smart #1 and Smart #5 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
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 .