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Smart #1 vs Tesla Model 3
Selected trimRWDChange trim332 mi · 60 kWh · £37,990
At a glance
In this comparison, Smart #1 leads on city driving, while the Tesla Model 3 leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Smart #1 if...
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
Choose the Tesla Model 3 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 want the lowest running costs - from just 1.8p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Tesla Model 3 wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueTesla
Smart
5.9
Tesla
6.4
Motorway RangeTesla
Smart
1.9
Tesla
5.5
FamilyTesla
Smart
5.4
Tesla
7.1
Cost Per MileTesla
Smart
1.9
Tesla
8.8
City DrivingSmart
Smart
6
Tesla
4
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Tesla Model 3
RWD
- 139 miles more WLTP range
- 369 litres more boot space
- 45 kW faster rapid charging
- 51 Wh/km more efficient
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Smart #1Pure | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £29,960 (better) | £37,990 |
| Official range | 193 miles | 332 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 313 L | 682 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | Not available | 6.2 sec |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Smart #1
Tesla Model 3
Length
Smart #14,270mm-451mm
Tesla Model 34,721mm
Width
Smart #11,822mm-111mm
Tesla Model 31,933mm
Height
Smart #11,636mm
Tesla Model 31,440mm-196mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Smart #1Pure | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,270 mm | 4,721 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,822 mm (better) | 1,933 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,025 mm (better) | 2,088 mm |
| Height | 1,636 mm | 1,440 mm |
| Turning circle | 11 m (better) | 11.6 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 578 mm spare (better) | 467 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Smart #1Pure | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 313 L | 682 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 976 L | Not available |
| Frunk | 15 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | 0 kg |
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 33 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
Tesla Model 3
- 2nd-largest boot among saloon EVs in our catalogue at 682 L.
- At 4,721 mm, shorter than 90% of saloon EVs in our UK catalogue.
- Uses 130 Wh/km on the WLTP cycle, more efficient than 100% of saloon EVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Smart #1 Pure |  Tesla Model 3 RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.27m | 4.72m+451mm |
| Width | 1.82m | 1.93m+111mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.02m | 2.09m+63mm |
| Height | 1.64m | 1.44m-196mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.75m | Not available |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 137mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 313L | 682L* (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 976L | Not available |
| Frunk | 15L | Not available |
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11m (better) | 11.6m |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 1,772kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 49kWh | 60kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 193 mi | 332 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 130kW | 175kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £29,960 (better) | £37,990 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | Saloon |
| Available | 2023+ | 2024+ |
* Tesla Model 3: Tesla publishes 682 L as total cargo volume (boot + frunk, measured to roof) — not directly comparable to standard VDA figures used by other brands.
* Tesla Model 3: Not published by Tesla; verified from multiple independent sources.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Smart #1Pure | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 193 miles | 332 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 133 miles | 229 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 130 kW | 175 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 7.4 kW | Not available |
| Energy consumption | 181 Wh/km | 130 Wh/km (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 49 kWh | 57.5 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | LFP |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Smart #1Pure | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | Not available | 6.2 sec |
| Power | 200 kW | 208 kW (better) |
| Torque | Not available | 340 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
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
- Top Gear7/10
- DrivingElectric3.5/5
Tesla Model 3
RWD
8.5/10
average across 6 reviews
- Auto Express4.5/5
- DrivingElectric4.5/5
- Electrifying.com9/10
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
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | Smart #1Pure | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £22,900 | £26,699 |
| Average used price | £23,771 | £30,299 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 10 listings | 91 listings (better) |
| Saving vs RRP | £6,189 below new | £7,691 below new |
| Recent used-price trend | Up 4.3% over ~6 months | Up 4.7% 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 - 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 - Tesla Model 3 RWD
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant90%
Child Occupant93%
Vulnerable Road Users89%
Safety Assist87%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Smart #1Pure | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 201,168 km (better) | 160,934 km |
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.
Tesla Model 3
RWD
Owners love
- Excellent driving dynamics with responsive steering, handling, and smooth one-pedal regenerative braking
- Superior touchscreen interface that is intuitive, responsive, and readable in sunlight
- Growing Supercharger network offers reliable charging infrastructure with competitive pricing
Watch out for
- Removal of physical stalks for wipers and turn signals creates safety concerns and requires constant touchscreen interaction while driving
- Automatic windshield wipers frequently malfunction in light rain and drizzle due to camera-based Tesla Vision system
- Unreliable indicator stalk (on older models with stalks) frequently malfunctions or doesn't respond consistently
Owner tips
- Test drive the specific model configuration before ordering to experience controls, door handles, and touchscreen usability in real driving conditions
- Use home charging with EV-specific energy tariffs to maximize cost savings; home charging is significantly cheaper than public chargers
Buying options
Get a quote
Smart #1
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Tesla Model 3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Smart #1
- £23,7712024Car360View
- £23,9992024Car360View
- £22,9002024EV ExpertsView
Tesla Model 3
- £30,2992025Car360View
- £29,6992025Car360View
- £29,0822024Car360View
Frequently asked questions
Is the Tesla Model 3 worth the extra £8,030 over the Smart #1?
The Tesla Model 3 costs £8,030 more than the Smart #1. For that premium it adds 139 miles more WLTP range, 45 kW faster peak rapid charging and 369 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Tesla Model 3 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Smart #1 or the Tesla Model 3?
The Smart #1 is £8,030 cheaper to buy. The Tesla Model 3 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 £7,750 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 Tesla Model 3 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 133 miles for the Smart #1 and 229 miles for the Tesla Model 3 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Tesla Model 3 goes roughly 96 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Smart #1 or the Tesla Model 3?
The Smart #1 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 111 mm narrower than the Tesla Model 3. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 578 mm of total clearance for the Smart #1 and about 467 mm of total clearance for the Tesla Model 3. The Smart #1 also turns in a 0.6 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Smart #1 or the Tesla Model 3?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the Smart #1 and 92% for the Tesla Model 3. That gives the Tesla Model 3 a modest edge in retained real-world range. 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 Tesla Model 3 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 Tesla Model 3 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Smart #1 and Tesla Model 3 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Smart #1 and Tesla Model 3 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Smart #1 and Tesla Model 3 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Smart #1 and Tesla Model 3 rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Smart #1 and Tesla Model 3 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 .