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Smart #3 vs Volvo EX30
Selected trimProChange trim202 mi · 66 kWh · £33,960
At a glance
In this comparison, Smart #3 leads on family practicality, while the Volvo EX30 leads on charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Smart #3 if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
Choose the Volvo EX30 if...
- you need the fastest charging of these options
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Volvo EX30 edges ahead overall, but it's close - check which categories matter most to you.
Value
Smart
6.1
Volvo
5.9
Too close to call
FamilySmart
Smart
5.7
Volvo
5
ChargingVolvo
Smart
1.7
Volvo
5.7
Cost Per Mile
Smart
2.7
Volvo
3
Too close to call
City Driving
Smart
6
Volvo
6.2
Too close to call
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.
| Measure | Smart #3Pro | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £33,960 | £33,060 (better) |
| Official range | 202 miles | 209 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 370 L | 400 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min | 26 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 5.8 sec (better) | 9.1 sec |
Size Comparison
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Smart #3
Volvo EX30
Length
Smart #34,400mm
Volvo EX304,233mm-167mm
Width
Smart #31,844mm
Volvo EX301,838mm-6mm
Height
Smart #31,556mm
Volvo EX301,550mm-6mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Smart #3Pro | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,400 mm | 4,233 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,844 mm | 1,838 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 2,032 mm |
| Height | 1,556 mm | 1,550 mm |
| Turning circle | Not available | 11 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 556 mm spare | 562 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Smart #3Pro | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear legroom | Not available | 821 mm |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 370 L | 400 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1160 L (better) | 1000 L |
| Frunk | 15 L (better) | 7 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | 1,000 kg (better) |
Full specifications
| Specification |  Smart #3 Pro |  Volvo EX30 Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.40m | 4.23m-167mm |
| Width | 1.84m | 1.84m-6mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.03m |
| Height | 1.56m | 1.55m-6mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.79m | 2.65m-135mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 370L | 400L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1160L (better) | 1000L |
| Frunk | 15L (better) | 7L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear Legroom | Not available | 821mm |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | Not available | 11m |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 1,840kg |
| Towing Capacity | Not available | 1,000kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 66kWh (better) | 51kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 202 mi | 209 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 150kW | 150kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £33,960 | £33,060 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Coupe | SUV |
| Available | 2024+ | 2024+ |
* Volvo EX30: 11 kW AC on Core and Plus; Ultra has a 22 kW on-board charger.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Smart #3Pro | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 202 miles | 209 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 189 miles (better) | 149 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min | 26 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 150 kW | 150 kW |
| Home AC charging | 7.4 kW | 11 kW (better) |
| Energy consumption | 172 Wh/km | 169 Wh/km (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 66 kWh (better) | 51 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| Heat pump | Not available | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Smart #3Pro | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 5.8 sec (better) | 9.1 sec |
| Power | 200 kW | 200 kW |
| Torque | Not available | 343 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Smart #3
Pro
Volvo EX30
Single Motor
7.5/10
average across 6 reviews
- DrivingElectric4.5/5
- Auto Express4.5/5
- Parkers4.1/5
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Smart #3
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 #3Pro | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £27,300 | £23,499 |
| Average used price | £27,300 | £25,831 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 3 listings | 15 listings (better) |
| Saving vs RRP | £6,660 below new | £7,229 below new |
| Recent used-price trend | Broadly flat | Up 2.6% 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 #3 Pro
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Volvo EX30 Single Motor
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant88%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users79%
Safety Assist80%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Smart #3Pro | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | Not available | 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, real-world range. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
Smart #3
Pro
Owners love
- Smart Pilot Assist lane-centering and adaptive cruise control significantly reduce driver fatigue on motorway journeys
- Quiet, refined driving experience with comfortable ride quality and Mercedes-quality interior materials
- Excellent value proposition with competitive pricing, extensive standard features, and strong performance in Brabus mode
Watch out for
- Infotainment system poorly designed with busy interface and excessive menu navigation required
- Quality control issues reported on delivery including scratches, sand in door handles, and defective components
- Range falls significantly short of claimed figures, especially when using Brabus performance mode
Owner tips
- Request detailed pre-delivery inspection to catch transport damage; arrange home charger and Charge Place Scotland card before taking delivery
- Budget for extended warranty coverage to match 4-year PCP payment terms and mitigate servicing uncertainties
Volvo EX30
Single Motor
Owners love
- Owners consistently praise the performance: even the single-motor car is quick, and the Twin Motor Performance is very fast.
- Build quality, seats and cabin materials are widely described as good for the price, with a light, modern interior.
- The ride and road holding win praise, and the compact footprint makes it easy to park.
Watch out for
- Almost every control lives on the centre touchscreen, and the lack of a driver display or head-up display is the most common complaint.
- Driver aids such as lane assist and speed-limit warnings are seen as intrusive, and must be switched off again at every start.
- Rear legroom and the boot are small, so owners call it a car for two adults rather than four.
Owner tips
- Pick the Single Motor Extended Range for the best balance of range, ride and price.
- Set climate, wipers and lights to auto and save a driver profile so you rarely need the screen on the move.
Buying options
Get a quote
Smart #3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Volvo EX30
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Smart #3
- £27,3002025EV ExpertsView
Volvo EX30
- £26,1672024Car360View
- £27,5512025Car360View
- £23,4992024Browns of RichmondView
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Smart #3 or the Volvo EX30?
The Volvo EX30 is £900 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £184 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Volvo EX30 comes out roughly £940 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 #3 and Volvo EX30 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 189 miles for the Smart #3 and 149 miles for the Volvo EX30 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Smart #3 goes roughly 40 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 Smart #3 or the Volvo EX30?
The two are within 6 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 562 mm of total clearance for the Volvo EX30 and about 556 mm of total clearance for the Smart #3.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Smart #3 or the Volvo EX30?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Smart #3 and 90% for the Volvo EX30. That gives the Volvo EX30 a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Volvo EX30's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the Smart #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 Volvo EX30 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 #3 and Volvo EX30 rank among the best family EVsWhere the Smart #3 and Volvo EX30 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Smart #3 and Volvo EX30 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Smart #3 and Volvo EX30 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Smart #3 and Volvo EX30 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Smart #3 and Volvo EX30 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.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .