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Smart #3 vs VW ID.3
Selected trimProChange trim202 mi · 66 kWh · £33,960
At a glance
The VW ID.3 was replaced by the VW ID.3 Neo in 2026. Compare the Smart #3 with the VW ID.3 Neo
In this comparison, Smart #3 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 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 VW ID.3 wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
Value
Smart
6.1
VW
6.2
Too close to call
Motorway RangeVW
Smart
2.8
VW
5.6
FamilyVW
Smart
5.7
VW
7.4
ChargingVW
Smart
1.7
VW
6.5
Cost Per MileVW
Smart
2.7
VW
8.4
City DrivingVW
Smart
6
VW
8.1
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 #3
VW ID.3
Length
Smart #34,400mm
VW ID.34,264mm-136mm
Width
Smart #31,844mm
VW ID.31,809mm-35mm
Height
Smart #31,556mm-8mm
VW ID.31,564mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Smart #3Pro | VW ID.3Pure Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,400 mm | 4,264 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,844 mm | 1,809 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 2,015 mm |
| Height | 1,556 mm | 1,564 mm |
| Turning circle | Not available | 10.2 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 556 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 #3
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
VW ID.3
- Peak DC charging of 145 kW, faster than 90% of hatchback EVs in our catalogue.
- 2,770 mm wheelbase, longer than 100% of hatchback EVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Smart #3 Pro |  VW ID.3 Pure Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.40m | 4.26m-136mm |
| Width | 1.84m | 1.81m-35mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.02m |
| Height | 1.56m | 1.56m+8mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.79m | 2.77m-15mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 150mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 370L | 385L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1160L | 1267L (better) |
| Frunk | 15L (better) | Not available |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | Not available | 10.2m |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 1,787kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 66kWh (better) | 52kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 202 mi | 241 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 150kW (better) | 145kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £33,960 | £30,860 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Coupe | Hatchback |
| Available | 2024+ | 2024–2026 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Smart #3Pro | VW ID.3Pure Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 202 miles | 241 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 189 miles | 201 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min | 25 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 150 kW (better) | 145 kW |
| Home AC charging | 7.4 kW (better) | 7.2 kW |
| Energy consumption | 172 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 66 kWh (better) | 52 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | Not available | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not available | 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 #3
Pro
VW ID.3
Pure Essential
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.
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 - Smart #3 Pro
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - VW ID.3 Pure Essential
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant86%
Child Occupant87%
Vulnerable Road Users78%
Safety Assist76%
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, 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
VW ID.3
Pure Essential
Owners love
- The 2023 facelift brought better interior materials than the early cars
- Spacious and comfortable inside for a Golf-sized hatchback, with a 385-litre boot
- Rapid charging is quick, with owners reporting 10-80% in around 25 minutes on a fast charger
Watch out for
- The infotainment still draws complaints for glitches and fiddly menus despite updates
- The touch sliders for volume and temperature are imprecise to use while driving
- Winter range drops noticeably, with owners quoting around 200-215 miles from a 240-mile car in the cold
Owner tips
- Check whether the car has the heat pump if you do a lot of winter driving, and use preconditioning while plugged in
- Test the infotainment and touch controls properly on the test drive
Buying options
Get a quote
Smart #3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
VW ID.3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Smart #3
- £27,3002025EV ExpertsView
VW ID.3
- £26,2992025Car360View
- £20,9922024Car360View
- £21,6992025Car360View
Frequently asked questions
Is the Smart #3 worth the extra £3,100 over the VW ID.3?
The Smart #3 costs £3,100 more than the VW ID.3. For that premium it adds 75 kW more power and a 2.4s quicker 0-62mph time. The VW ID.3 is not just cheaper - it also offers 39 miles more WLTP range. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the VW ID.3 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Smart #3 or the VW ID.3?
The VW ID.3 is £3,100 cheaper to buy. The VW ID.3 is cheaper to charge, roughly £144 a year versus £192 for the Smart #3, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the VW ID.3 comes out roughly £3,340 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 VW ID.3 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 189 miles for the Smart #3 and 201 miles for the VW ID.3 - effectively matched, and both well below their WLTP figures because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 25-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Smart #3 or the VW ID.3?
The VW ID.3 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 35 mm narrower than the Smart #3. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 591 mm of total clearance for the VW ID.3 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 VW ID.3?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Smart #3 and 87% for the VW ID.3. That gives the VW ID.3 a modest edge in retained real-world range. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. 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 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 #3 and VW ID.3 rank among the best family EVsWhere the Smart #3 and VW ID.3 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Smart #3 and VW ID.3 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Smart #3 and VW ID.3 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Smart #3 and VW ID.3 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Smart #3 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.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .