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Smart #5 vs Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric
At a glance
In this comparison, Smart #5 leads on value for money, family practicality and charging speed, while the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric counters with the lowest price.
Which should you choose?
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
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
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.
ValueSmart
Smart
6.4
Vauxhall
5
FamilySmart
Smart
9
Vauxhall
3.4
ChargingSmart
Smart
5
Vauxhall
3.1
City DrivingSmart
Smart
3.2
Vauxhall
1.6
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Smart #5
Pro
- 75 miles more WLTP range
- 50 kW faster rapid charging
- 15 min quicker 10-80% rapid charge
- 150 kW more power
- 7.4s quicker 0-62 mph
- 57 Wh/km more efficient
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Smart #5Pro | Vauxhall Vivaro Life ElectricCombi |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £39,800 | £36,900 (better) |
| Official range | 288 miles (better) | 213 miles |
| Boot space | 630 L | Not available |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min (better) | 45 min |
| 0-62 mph | 6.9 sec (better) | 14.3 sec |
Size Comparison
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Smart #5
Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric
Length
Smart #54,695mm-286mm
Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric4,981mm
Width
Smart #51,920mm
Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric1,920mm
Height
Smart #51,705mm-230mm
Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric1,935mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Smart #5Pro | Vauxhall Vivaro Life ElectricCombi |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,695 mm | 4,981 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,920 mm | 1,920 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,169 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,705 mm | 1,935 mm |
| Turning circle | Not available | 12.4 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 480 mm spare | 480 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Smart #5Pro | Vauxhall Vivaro Life ElectricCombi |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 9 (better) |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 630 L | Not available |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1530 L | Not available |
| Frunk | 47 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 1,600 kg | Not available |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Smart #5
- Boot space of 630 L is bigger than 90% of SUVs we track.
- One of 33 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Smart #5 Pro |  Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric Combi |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.70m | 4.98m+286mm |
| Width | 1.92m | 1.92m |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.17m | Not available |
| Height | 1.71m | 1.94m+230mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.90m | Not available |
| Ground Clearance | 190mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 630L | Not available |
| Boot (seats down) | 1530L | Not available |
| Frunk | 47L | Not available |
| Seats | 5 | 9 (better) |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | Not available | 12.4m |
| Kerb Weight | 2,200kg | Not available |
| Towing Capacity | 1,600kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 76kWh (better) | 75kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 288 mi (better) | 213 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 150kW (better) | 100kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £39,800 | £36,900 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £39,800 (not eligible) | £35,400 (-£1,500) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | MPV |
| Available | 2025+ | 2024+ |
* Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric: Euro NCAP tested the platform under the 2015 protocol but the result page has since been retired. No current published rating.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Smart #5Pro | Vauxhall Vivaro Life ElectricCombi |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 288 miles (better) | 213 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 202 miles (better) | 152 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min (better) | 45 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 150 kW (better) | 100 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | 185 Wh/km (better) | 242 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 76 kWh (better) | 75 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 800V (better) | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Smart #5Pro | Vauxhall Vivaro Life ElectricCombi |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6.9 sec (better) | 14.3 sec |
| Power | 250 kW (better) | 100 kW |
| Torque | 373 Nm (better) | 260 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Smart #5
Pro
Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric
Combi
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Smart #5
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.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
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)
Euro NCAP - Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric Combi
Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric Combi
Euro NCAP tested the platform under the 2015 protocol but the result page has since been retired. No current published rating.
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Smart #5Pro | Vauxhall Vivaro Life ElectricCombi |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | Not available | 160,000 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
Smart #5
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the Smart #5 worth the extra £2,900 over the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric?
The Smart #5 costs £2,900 more than the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric. For that premium it adds 75 miles more WLTP range, 50 kW faster peak rapid charging and 150 kW more power. The Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric is not just cheaper - it also offers 4 more seats (9 versus 5). On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Smart #5 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Smart #5 or the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric?
The Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric is £2,900 cheaper to buy. The Smart #5 is cheaper to charge, roughly £200 a year versus £264 for the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric comes out roughly £2,580 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 #5 and Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 202 miles for the Smart #5 and 152 miles for the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Smart #5 goes roughly 50 miles further between charging stops. A rapid charge to 80% takes around 30 minutes in the Smart #5 and 45 in the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric, so the Smart #5 loses less time at each stop. That makes the Smart #5 the stronger long-distance car.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Smart #5 or the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric?
The two are within 0 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 480 mm of total clearance for the Smart #5 and about 480 mm of total clearance for the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Smart #5 or the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the Smart #5 and 84% for the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric. That gives the Smart #5 a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Smart #5's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric'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 #5 comparisons
More Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric 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 #5 and Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric rank among the best family EVsWhere the Smart #5 and Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Smart #5 and Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Smart #5 and Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric rank among the best city EVsWhere the Smart #5 and Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Smart #5 and Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric 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 .