Loading comparison
Smart #1 vs VW ID.3 (2020-2023)
Selected trimPure Performance 45 kWh · 2021-22Change trim216 mi · 45 kWh · £29,635
At a glance
The VW ID.3 was replaced by the VW ID.3 Neo in 2026. Compare the Smart #1 with the VW ID.3 Neo
In this comparison, Smart #1 stays competitive across the board, while the VW ID.3 leads on motorway range, family practicality and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the VW ID.3 (2020-2023) 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 2.1p 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 VW ID.3 wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
Value
Smart
5.9
VW
6.1
Too close to call
Motorway RangeVW
Smart
1.9
VW
3.8
FamilyVW
Smart
5.4
VW
7.4
ChargingVW
Smart
2.9
VW
5.2
Cost Per MileVW
Smart
1.9
VW
5.8
City DrivingVW
Smart
6
VW
8.2
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
View:
Align by:
Smart #1
VW ID.3
Length
Smart #14,270mm
VW ID.34,261mm-9mm
Width
Smart #11,822mm
VW ID.31,809mm-13mm
Height
Smart #11,636mm
VW ID.31,568mm-68mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Smart #1Pure | VW ID.3Pure Performance 45 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,270 mm | 4,261 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,822 mm | 1,809 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,025 mm | 2,015 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,636 mm | 1,568 mm |
| Turning circle | 11 m | 10.2 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 578 mm spare | 591 mm spare (better) |
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 33 of 233 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
VW ID.3
- Peak DC charging of 110 kW, faster than 85% of hatchback EVs in our catalogue.
- 2,770 mm wheelbase, longer than 95% of hatchback EVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Smart #1 Pure |  VW ID.3 Pure Performance 45 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.27m | 4.26m-9mm |
| Width | 1.82m | 1.81m-13mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.02m | 2.02m-10mm |
| Height | 1.64m | 1.57m-68mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.75m | 2.77m+20mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 150mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 313L | 385L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 976L | 1267L (better) |
| Frunk | 15L (better) | Not available |
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11m | 10.2m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 1,781kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 49kWh (better) | 45kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 193 mi | 216 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 130kW (better) | 110kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £29,960 | £29,635 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | Hatchback |
| Available | 2023+ | 2021–2022 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Smart #1Pure | VW ID.3Pure Performance 45 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 193 miles | 216 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 133 miles | 155 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 130 kW (better) | 110 kW |
| Home AC charging | 7.4 kW (better) | 7.2 kW |
| Energy consumption | 181 Wh/km | 150 Wh/km (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 49 kWh (better) | 45 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | NMC |
| Battery architecture | Not available | 400V |
| 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. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
Smart #1
Pure
7.5/10
average across 4 reviews
- Electrifying.com9/10
- Autocar3.5/5
- DrivingElectric3.5/5
VW ID.3
Pure Performance 45 kWh
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
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.
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 - VW ID.3 Pure Performance 45 kWh
Tested 2020
Adult Occupant87%
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.
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.
VW ID.3
Pure Performance 45 kWh
Owners love
- Owners find it roomy for its size, with a practical hatchback boot and a cabin that feels bigger than the Golf-sized body suggests
- The 3.x software updates are widely reported to have improved the infotainment, charging speed and efficiency on early cars
- Comfortable and quiet on long trips, with efficient cruising and dependable rapid charging on motorway routes
Watch out for
- Early software was slow and glitchy, and owners describe long waits for dealer-installed updates, a few of which failed part-way
- The infotainment and touch-slider controls for volume and temperature remain the most common day-to-day complaint
- Driver aids draw complaints: lane assist is hard to switch off, and speed-limit recognition and adaptive cruise can react to the wrong limit
Owner tips
- Check the software version on the infotainment screen and ask whether the 3.x updates have been done
- Ask for evidence of any battery module work and check the car's battery health with a scan before buying
Buying options
Get a quote
Smart #1
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
VW ID.3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Smart #1
- £23,9992024Car360View
- £23,7712024Car360View
- £22,9002024EV ExpertsView
VW ID.3
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Smart #1 or the VW ID.3?
The VW ID.3 is £325 cheaper to buy. The VW ID.3 is cheaper to charge, roughly £168 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 VW ID.3 comes out roughly £485 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 VW ID.3 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 133 miles for the Smart #1 and 155 miles for the VW ID.3 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The VW ID.3 goes roughly 22 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 VW ID.3?
The two are within 13 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 591 mm of total clearance for the VW ID.3 and about 578 mm of total clearance for the Smart #1. The VW ID.3 also turns in a 0.8 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 VW ID.3?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the Smart #1 and 87% for the VW ID.3. 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 VW ID.3'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 Smart #1 comparisons
More VW ID.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 VW ID.3 rank among EVs under £30,000Where the Smart #1 and VW ID.3 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Smart #1 and VW ID.3 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Smart #1 and VW ID.3 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Smart #1 and VW ID.3 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Smart #1 and VW ID.3 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 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.
GuideBuying a Used VW ID.3 (2020-2023): Which Version, Software, Battery Warranty & What to Pay
A used Volkswagen ID.3 buyer’s guide: Pure Performance, Pro, Pro Performance and Pro S explained, why the software version matters, the 8-year battery warranty, real-world range, recalls including the 2026 battery check, what owners report, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .